Name: Alwar
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Bala quila Fort, Alwar Overview

Bala Quila Fort or the Alwar Fort is situated in the Aravalli Ranges, above the town of Alwar. Built in 15th century by Hasan Khan Mewati, it has been under the rule of the Marathas, Yadavas, and the Kachwaha Rajputs. 'Bala Quila' means Young Fort. Laxman Pole is the only metalled road which connects the Fort to the Alwar city. The silver pages of history speak that Pratap Singh, the founder of Alwar state, entered the Fort through this metalled way only.

In 1775 A.D. Kachhwaha Rajput Pratap Singh captured the fort and laid the stones of Alwar city. With a distance of 595 m, the massive fort is visible from the city itself. It gives a majestic view of the town as it is perched on a 300m high cliff. It spreads over an area of 5 km from North to South and 1.6 km from East to West. The forts have six gates which are Jai Pol, Suraj Pol, Laxman Pol, Chand Pol, Krishen Pol and Andheri Gate. The walls are finely crafted with ancient scriptures and sculptures.

Architecture of Bala Quila Fort

It is an architectural piece of Indo-Islamic style. The walls are beautifully crafted which takes you back to the golden era. Each gate is named after a ruler which speaks about their magnanimity.
The notable buildings in the fort are Jai Mahal, Nikumbh Mahal, Salim Sagar Pond, Suraj Kund and temples, namely Sita Ram temple, Top Wale Hanuman Ji Temple and Chakradhari Hanuman temple which in the present day reflect the historical grandeur of the bygone era.
The Fort has 446 openings for Musketry which are surrounded by 8 citadels, 15 large and 51 small towers.
The part of the fort where Jahangir lived for three years of his exile is known as Salim Mahal.
The fort also houses a radio station which can only be visited with the permission of the Superintendent of Police, Alwar.

HIstory of Bala Quila Fort

Nikumbh Rajputs were the original occupants of Bala Quila. Bala Quila was won from the Nikumbh Rajputs by Khanzada Alawal Khan in the year 1492. He wanted to stop the practice of human sacrifice. The fort was reconstructed by Hasan Khan Mewati, the son of Khanzada Alawal Khan, in the 1500s. The fort then went to the Marathas, Yadavas, Kachwahas and even the Mughals.

The fort was used by Mughals as the base for attacking Ranthambore even before they starting ruling. Mughal emperors Babur and Akbar had an overnight stay, whereas Prince Salim (later Emperor Jahangir) was exiled for three years in Salim Mahal as the outcome of banishment by Emperor Akbar.

How To Reach Bala Quila Fort

The distance between the city and the fort is of about 12 km. The foothill of the cliff is easily reachable by auto-rickshaws or private cabs. From the foothill, there is a 7 km steep path which has to be covered on foot.