Gagron Fort

En un regard

Le château en bref

Near Jhalawar, in south-eastern Rajasthan, Gagron Fort stands on a rocky spur at the confluence of the Ahu and the Kali Sindh. The two rivers surround it on three sides, and a moat closes off the fourth, which gives it the name jaladurga, "water fort"; it is the only one of Rajasthan's hill forts inscribed by UNESCO to be defended by a river. Its position in a mountain pass also controlled a trade route. A rare feature is that the site is enclosed by three lines of ramparts rather than two, and the rock itself serves as its foundation. Two large gates open one towards the river and the other towards the hills; inside, one passes successively through Bhairavi Pol, Ganesh Pol and Kishan Pol, leading to the Janana Mahal, the Rang Mahal, the audience halls and the Madhusudan temple. Barracks, a gunpowder magazine and stables attest to its military use. The fort is said to have seen fourteen battles and two jauhars. Outside the walls, the dargah of the Sufi saint Mitthe Shah hosts a fair during Muharram.