Alwar fort





Bala Quila also known Alwar fort is a fort in Alwar in Indian state of Rajasthan. It is situated on a hill in the Aravalli Range, above the town of Alwar. The fort is 5 km long and is about 1.5 km wide. It was built by Hasan Khan Mewati in 1550 C.E. In the following centuries it went the Mughals, Marathas, the Jats and last to the Kachwaha Rajputs.

History
Babur (the first Mughal king in India) spent a night here. He took away the treasure that was kept there and gave it to his son, Humayun. Later Jahangir stayed there for some time when he was packed off by his authoritarian father, Akbar. The place where he stayed came to be called Salim Mahal. (Jahangir was actually banished by Akbar because he tried to assassinate Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak, one of the "nine jewels" of his father's court). Bala Quila was taken over by Pratap Singh in 1775.

Description


Hindu scriptures (the Puranas), dictate that 'a fort is the strength of a king'. Within the fort are 15 large and 51 small towers perched on the ridgetop, 340 m above the city. The fort included 446 openings for musketry, along with 8 huge bastions encompassing it.

The fort is accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicles, or by a steep footpath.