Akhnoor Fort, Jammu Overview
Akhnoor Fort stands watch over the Chenab from its cliff-top perch, 28 km from Jammu city, on ground that's been inhabited since the Harappan Civilisation; excavations nearby have turned up artefacts from that same ancient settlement. Walk the ramparts and the river opens out below, a view that's changed little even as the centuries piled up around it. It's an easy half-day trip from Jammu, pairing a river crossing with a look at one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the region.
This large fort is a great example of fine Indian military architecture. Built across two floors, the fort has thick, strong walls with bastions and two-storeyed watchtowers guarding its perimeter. Within the fort lies the grand palace of Raja Alum Singh, monarch of the fort. The walls facing the courtyard are decked with pretty decorative arches, adorned with exquisite mural paintings. This majestic fort may be accessed from the river or from the northern entry gate. Perched atop a hill, one receives breathtaking views of the Shivalik range and the Trikuta mountains, complemented perfectly with the Chenab river flowing below.
There is a lot of history associated with the land occupied by this monument. As per historical records, this fort was built on the ruins of the ancient Archaeological town of Manda, where remains of the Harappan civilisation and the Kushana dynasty have been found by Archaeologists. Due to its historical and cultural significance, it has been deemed a national monument and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
