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The '''Bandhavgarh Fort''' is situated in [[Bandhavgarh]] in [[Umaria]] district of [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]. It is located on the Bandhavgarh hill, rising 811 meters above sea level at the centre of the [[Bandhavgarh National Park]]. It  is surrounded by many smaller hills separated by gently sloping valleys. These valleys end in small, swampy meadows, locally known as 'bohera'. The fort is also home to many of the endangered species of Vulture in India.
The '''Bandhavgarh Fort''' is situated in [[Bandhavgarh]] in [[Umaria]] district of [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]. It is located on the Bandhavgarh hill, rising 811 meters above sea level at the centre of the [[Bandhavgarh National Park]]. It  is surrounded by many smaller hills separated by gently sloping valleys. These valleys end in small, swampy meadows, locally known as 'bohera'.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Game Drive: A Tete-A-Tete with the Wild|author=Anosh Koppikar|year=2013|publisher=Partridge Publishing|isbn=9781482812619}}</ref>
 
==Origin==
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2017}}
No records are available to show when Bandhavgarh fort was constructed. It is thought, however, to be some 2000 years old, and there are references to it in the ancient books, the "Narad-Panch Ratra" and the "[[Shiva]] [[Purana]]". Regional folklore suggests that Bandhavgarh Fort was constructed by rulers of the [[Gondwana (India)|Gond Empire]]. Gond kings of the Pandro caste are the original builders of this fort, and descendants of Gond kings still live near the fort. Gond kings constructed  12 ''talab'' ponds, of which only few remain. This fort's construction and architecture are similar to other forts built by Gond Kings.
 
The ''Vanganga'' stream originates from Bandhavgarh Fort's hill. In [[Gondi language]], ''van'' means Forest and ''ganga'' loosely translates to a pure stream. That may suggest that ''Pandro'', the surname of Gond kings, may have originated from "Vanganga" .{{citation needed|date=May 2012}} The Bandhavgarh fort derives its name from the most prominent hillock of the area, which is said to be given by [[Lord Rama]] to his brother [[Lakshmana]] to keep watch on [[Lanka]]. Hence the name Bandhavgarh (''bandhav'' as brother, ''garh'' as fort).
 
Bandhavgarh Fort was the business centre for the traders traveling between [[Kosambi|Kaushambi]] and [[Bharhut]], at that time known as Bardawati (Bhaudhya root). During the [[Kalachuri dynasty]] it was called "Haihay Kshetra". The [[Vakataka dynasty]] used this place, and various stone writings are found written by them. They made the place livable by cutting stones. There are some ruins found of the Fort in the Bamania Hill near Bandhavgarh, and there are many sculptures and coins found in the nearby villages near Bandhavgarh, Bijhariya, Mala which prove the economical and artistic situation of the kingdom. In the reign on Karan Deo (Vikram Samvat 1245-1260), Bandhavgarh was the capital of the southern part of the [[Gahora]] kingdom.
There are a few statues depicting the reincarnations of Vishnu (''avatar'') - like one of the Fish and another of the Turtle. There are some remaining ponds on the hill e.g. ''Rani Talab''(Queen's Pond). There is a viewpoint on the hill called ''Suicide point'', from which if one is lucky one can see the vultures in flight.
 
On the way back from the fort one can see a gigantic idol of Vishnu lying down, it is also known as ''Sesh Shai''. The word Bandhavgarh means the Fort of Laxman, and the stone carved ''Shesh Shai'' also provides further evidence for the origin of this name.
 
==History==
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2017}}
Various dynasties have ruled the fort: for example, [[Mauryan]]s from the 3rd century BC, [[Vakataka]] rulers from the 3rd-5th century, [[Sengar]]s from the 5th century, and the [[Kalachuris of Tripuri|Kalachuris]] from 10th century. In the 13th century, the Baghels took over, ruling from Bandhavgarh until 1617, when Maharaja Vikramaditya Singh moved his capital to [[Rewa, India|Rewa]]. The last inhabitants deserted the fort in 1935.
 
Throughout the tour of Bandhavgarh fort, wildlife such as tigers, cubs, and deer can be seen. In addition, many rare species of birds like Malabar pied hornbill, falcons, 4 species of vultures, and tortoises swimming can also be seen. At some point one can also see vulture nests from above. The hilltop is considered best for photography of flying birds due to the advantage of being positioned at the top. This makes the Bandhavgarh fort a worthwhile addition to a [[Bandhavgarh National Park]] wildlife tour.
 
As of approximately 2012, it is no longer possible to visit Bandhavgarh fort, as the M.P. Forest Department is no longer granting anyone permission to do so.  Only the large Vishnu statue at the base of the fort can be visited at present. Some people also suggest that the fort is haunted and there is also a board present at the entrance stating that a person cannot go inside the fort after 6pm.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
*L.K.Chaudhari & Safi Akhtar Khan: Bandhavgarh-Fort of the Tiger, Wild Atlas Books, Bhopal, 2003
*L.K.Chaudhari & Safi Akhtar Khan: Bandhavgarh-Fort of the Tiger, Wild Atlas Books, Bhopal, 2003
*Shahbaz Ahmad: Charger the long living Tiger, Print World, Allahabad, 2001
*Shahbaz Ahmad: Charger the long living Tiger, Print World, Allahabad, 2001
*W.A.Rodgers, H.S.Panwar and V.B.Mathur: Wildlife Protected Area Network in India: A review, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2000
*W.A.Rodgers, H.S.Panwar and V.B.Mathur: Wildlife Protected Area Network in India: A review, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2000
*gulzar singh markam: gondwana ke garh darshan, bhopal, 2005
*gulzar singh markam: gondwana ke garh darshan, bhopal, 2005
{{reflist}}


{{Forts in India}}
{{Forts in India}}

Latest revision as of 00:02, 25 March 2022

Bandhavgarh Fort
Part of Bandhavgarh National Park
Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Bandhavgarh Fort is located in Madhya Pradesh
Bandhavgarh Fort
Bandhavgarh Fort
Coordinates23°40′58.96″N 81°2′7.49″E / 23.6830444°N 81.0354139°E / 23.6830444; 81.0354139
TypeHill fort
Height811 metres (2,661 ft)
Site information
OwnerGovernment of India
Open to
the public		no
ConditionDilapidated
Site history
Built10th Century
MaterialsStone

The Bandhavgarh Fort is situated in Bandhavgarh in Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is located on the Bandhavgarh hill, rising 811 meters above sea level at the centre of the Bandhavgarh National Park. It is surrounded by many smaller hills separated by gently sloping valleys. These valleys end in small, swampy meadows, locally known as 'bohera'.[1]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Anosh Koppikar (2013). The Game Drive: A Tete-A-Tete with the Wild. Partridge Publishing. ISBN 9781482812619.
  • L.K.Chaudhari & Safi Akhtar Khan: Bandhavgarh-Fort of the Tiger, Wild Atlas Books, Bhopal, 2003
  • Shahbaz Ahmad: Charger the long living Tiger, Print World, Allahabad, 2001
  • W.A.Rodgers, H.S.Panwar and V.B.Mathur: Wildlife Protected Area Network in India: A review, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2000
  • gulzar singh markam: gondwana ke garh darshan, bhopal, 2005
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