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| Kalinjar Fort | |
|---|---|
| Banda district,Uttar Pradesh, India NearKarwi | |
 A view of Kalinjar Fort | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Fort, caves and temples |
| Controlled by | Archaeological Survey of India |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Location | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 24°59′59″N80°29′07″E / 24.9997°N 80.4852°E /24.9997; 80.4852 |
| Height | 1,200 feet (370 m) |
| Site history | |
| Built | 5th century |
| Materials | Granitestones |
| Demolished | 1858 |
| Battles/wars | Mahmud of Ghazni – 1023,Sher Shah Suri – 1545,Maratha Peshwa – 1732,East India Company – 1812 andIndian Rebellion of 1857 |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders | Gupta Empire,Chandela dynasty,Baghel Rajputs ofRewa,Maratha Peshwas |
| Garrison | Maratha Cavalry 1731 – 1858Britishgarrison – 1947 |
  
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Kalinjar is a fortress-city inBanda district[1] ofUttar Pradesh, India. It was ruled by several dynasties, including theGuptas, theVardhana dynasty, theChandelas,Solankis ofRewa,Mughals and theMarathas.
The fortress has several temples dating back to theGupta dynasty of the 3rd–5th centuries. It is strategically located on an isolated rocky hill at the end of theVindhya Range, overlooking the plains ofBundelkhand.[2]
Kalinjar is aportmanteau of theSanskrit wordsKaala, meaning time, andjara, meaning destruction, translating todestroyer of time.
Kalinjar finds its mention in ancient Hindu mythological texts. According to Hindu legends, it is said that after the Samudramanthan, whenShiva consumed poison that turned his throat blue, he came to Kalinjar and defeated thekaal i.e. achieved victory over death. This is the reason why Shiva temple at Kalinjar is calledNeelkanth (blue-throated). Since then, the hill has been considered a holy site.[3][4]
Kalinjar has also been mentioned inBuddhist literature, particularly in the travelogues ofBuddha. TheChedi dynasty ruled here during the time of Gautama Buddha (563–480 BC). Following this, it was absorbed into theMaurya Empire and came to be known as Vindhya-Atavi.[5]
The fort eventually came under the rule of theShunga dynasty and the Pandu dynasty. In the Prayag Prasathi inscription of theAllahabad Pillar this region is mentioned by the nameVindhya Atavi. The Fort was in the control of theGurjara Pratiharas, and remained until the rule ofNagabhatta II.Chandela rulers used to be theirMandalik kings. The mention of Kalinjar is found in almost every text or inscription of that time.[6]
According to the 16th centuryPersian historianFirishta, the town of Kalinjar was established by one Kedar Raja in the 7th century.Rastrakutas later seized the fortress. The fort came to prominence during theChandela rule. According to Chandela-era legends, the fort was built by a Chandela ruler.[7] The Chandela rulers used the titleKalanjaradhipati (lit. 'Lord of Kalanjara'), which shows their importance to the fort.[8]
In 1023,Mahmud of Ghazni attacked and received a tribute from Kalinjar,[9][10]Mughal emperorBabur captured the fort in 1526, when his forces drove away Raja Hasan Khan Mewatpatti. It was also the place whereSher Shah Suri met his death in 1545, when he was mortally wounded by a gunpowder explosion from one of his own cannons, with his soldiers capturing the fort before his death.[11][12][13] In 1569, Akbar captured the fort and it was under Mughal rule until its capture by the Marathas. Kalinjar played a prominent part in history down to the time of theRevolt of 1857, when it was held by a small British garrison. Both the fort and the town, which stands at the foot of the hill, are of interest to the antiquary on account of the remains of temples, sculptures, inscriptions, and caves.[2]
In the early 18th century, the fort was captured by thePeshwa Bajirao after defeating the Mughal general Bangash Khan of Allahabad. In order to stop the Mughals from entering Bundelkhand again, he established aMaratha light infantry huzurat of 5000 under the command of Sardar Ram Singh Bhatt, Yashwantrao Bhatt, Parshuram Bhau Bundela, Bhaskar Pandit, and Sheshrao Pant Bundela, all veterans of war and Maratha class one generals. In due course of time, the Marathas conquered the nearby territories and expanded to theBengal frontiers. They inflicted a crushing defeat on Awadh ally Nawab of Rampur and Ala Vardi Khan.[citation needed]
The fort was used to levy chauth to nearby territories likeBenares,Mirzapur,Pratapgarh, Kunda, andBundela.
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In 1803, the Peshwa was involved in direct skirmishes with theEast India Company in which he was defeated. In theTreaty of Surji-Anjangaon, PeshwaBajirao II cededBundelkhand to the East India Company after his defeat in theSecond Anglo-Maratha war. The fort came under the management of the East India Company in 1805-06. The Old Bhatt royalty was expatriated and was granted separatesanads of Kirwi, Attra, Chitrakut Mathond, and Khurand.
The fort was placed under the pre-Maratha constitution of Bundela - Jhijhotiya Chubes. However, during the first War of Independence in 1857, The Old Bhatta Aristocracy recaptured the fort driving Bundela back to Ajaygarh. In 1858, the British attacked the fort but the people at large resisted and fought a tough battle with Major Hugh Rose. A long drawn siege ensued in which almost 800 British and 3000 Indians were killed. This proved to be the toughest battlefield in Bundelkhand where English suffered maximum casualties. The English with the help of the states of Panna and Rewa captured this fort on 4 May 1858. The Last Bhatta Peshwas surrendered and were sent to Rewa as prisoners. Kalinjar subah was distributed in between Bundela, Rewa Solanki and Chaubes of Rajaula. The fort was decommissioned and its buildings were demolished, to prevent any further maratha garrisoning at Kalinjar, thus ending the legacy of this fort. The total chauth collection was estimated at 40 lakh shahi mohars. The Naukahai campaign of Rewa and Chunar Fort, was launched directly from Kalinjar in which the Sohagpur Amarkantak and Shahdol paragana were attached to Peshwa territories. Almost all the occupants of the fort were moon worshipers and are called Chandravanshi clans of Kshatriya, Brahmanas, Kalchuries and Yadavas.[citation needed]
In 1812, the British troops marched into Bundelkhand, and after a long battle, they were able to annex the fort. The British seizure of Kalinjar proved to be a great watershed, transferring the legacy of the old aristocracy into the hands of the new bureaucracy of officials, who showed their loyalty to British imperialism by damaging the captured fort. The damages caused to the fort can still be seen on its walls and open spaces.[citation needed]
The nearest airport is atKhajuraho, 100 km (62 mi) away but has limited connectivity.Kanpur Airport which is well connected with metropolitan cities of India is 175 km (109 mi) and 4 hours drive from Kalinjar.[3]
The nearest railway station is atAtarra 36 km (22 mi) away, on the Banda-Satna route, 65 km (40 mi) from Banda Railway Station.[3]
The Kalinjar fort is linked by road to all the important centres in the region with regular bus services. Some of the major road distances are:Chitrakoot, 78 km (48 mi);Banda, 65 km (40 mi); Khajuraho, 130 km (81 mi); andPrayagraj, 205 km (127 mi).[3]
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Kalinjar".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 15 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 642.
