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{{Infobox monument
{{Infobox monument
|name=Taragarh fort
|name=Taragarh Fort
|type=Fort
|type=Fort
|coordinates={{coord|26.442154|74.618288}}
|coordinates={{coord|26.442154|74.618288}}
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|location=[[Ajmer]], [[Rajasthan]], [[India]]
|location=[[Ajmer]], [[Rajasthan]], [[India]]
|extra_label=built by
|extra_label=built by
|extra=[[Ajayaraja I]]
|extra=Parmar Rajputs and [[Ajayaraja I]]
}}
}}
'''Taragarh Fort''' is a fortress built upon a steep hillside in the city of [[Ajmer]] in the Indian state of [[Rajasthan]]. It was constructed by Maharaja of [[Parmar (Rajput clan)|Parmar]] [[Rajput]]s, and repaired by [[Ajayaraja I|Ajayaraja Chauhan]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=|first=|title=Tomars of Delhi by Harihar Niwas Dwivedi|publisher=Vidya Mandir Publication|year=1983|isbn=|location=Gwalior|pages=175}}</ref> and it was originally called '''Ajaymeru Durg'''.<ref>[[#History of mughal|Ajmer, Historical and Descriptive]], pp. 50.</ref>


'''Taragarh Fort''' is a fortress built upon a steep hillside in the city of [[Ajmer]] in the Indian state of [[Rajasthan]].It was constructed in the 8th century by [[Ajayaraja I|Ajayaraja Chauhan]] (721-734)<ref>{{Cite book|last=|first=|title=Tomars of Delhi by Harihar Niwas Dwivedi|publisher=Vidya Mandir Publication|year=1983|isbn=|location=Gwalior|pages=175}}</ref> and it was originally called '''Ajaymeru Durg'''<ref>[[#Sarda|Ajmer, Historical and Descriptive]], pp. 50</ref>
==History==
This fort was known for its strength and strategic importance. First Islamic attack on the fort was made in 724, during reign of Chauhan King [[Durlabharaja I|Durlabhraj I]], who bravely fought Muslim armies under caliph [[Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik]]. In this war, King [[Durlabharaja I|Durlabhraj I]] did not receive support from fellow rajput kings. This war witnessed India's second [[Jauhar]] conducted by queens of King [[Durlabharaja I|Durlabhraj I]], along with other females in Taragarh Fort. The war is also known for sacrifice of 7-year old Chauhan Prince Lot, who bravely fought the invading armies, and laid down his life.


==History==
[[Parmar (Rajput clan)|Parmar]] [[Rajput]]s assisted in capturing Taragarh fort of Ajmer۔
This fort was known for its strength and strategic importance. First attack on this fort was made by [[Muhammad of Ghazni]] in 1024 AD. He laid down the siege, was wounded and failed to take the fort.<ref>[[#Sarda|Ajmer, Historical and Descriptive]], pp. 50</ref>{{Better source needed|date=July 2022}}
 
[[Prithviraj Sisodia|Prithviraj]], son of [[Rana Raimal]] of Mewar and elder brother of [[Rana Sanga]], captured Taragarh fort  of Ajmer during the end of 15th century, after slaying Governor Mallu Khan.{{sfn | Dhoundiyal | 1966 | p=54}}<ref>[[#Sanga|Maharana Sanga The Hindupat]], p28</ref><ref>[[#History of mughal|Ajmer:Historical and Descriptive]], p45</ref> The fort is also called Taragarh, named after Prithviraj's wife Tarabai.{{sfn | Rajawat | 1991 | p=87}} It remained under control of Mewar and later [[Rana Sanga]] granted it to Karamchand Panwar{{sfn | Dhoundiyal | 1966 | p=55}}


[[Prithviraj Sisodia|Prithviraj]], son of [[Rana Raimal]] of Mewar and elder brother of [[Rana Sanga]], captured Taragarh fort of Ajmer during the end of 15th century, after slaying Governor Mallu Khan.{{sfn | Dhoundiyal | 1966 | p=54}}<ref>[[#Sanga|Maharana Sanga The Hindupat]], p28</ref><ref>[[#Sarda|Ajmer:Historical and Descriptive]], p45</ref> The fort is also called Taragarh, named after Prithviraj's wife Tarabai.{{sfn | Rajawat | 1991 | p=87}} It remained under control of Mewar and later [[Rana Sanga]] granted it to Karamchand Panwar{{sfn | Dhoundiyal | 1966 | p=55}}
The fort later was conquered by the victorious Mughal armies in the aftermath of [[Battle of Khanwa]] in Rana Sanga of Mewar faced a crushing defeat at the hands of [[Babur|Emperor Babur]], the Founder of the Mughal Dynasty . The fort served as the administrative center of the Mughal province of Ajmer and was an important military foothold for the [[Battle of Haldighati|Mughal Expansion into Rajputana]]. The fort remained under the nominal sovereignty of the Mughal Emperor though it was de facto in the hands of the Rajputs of Amber . With its strategic prominence lost, the fort fell into disuse and neglect.


==Architecture==
==Architecture==
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Most parts of these gateways are now in ruins. The largest of its battlements is the 16th-century bastion known as the Bhim Burj, on which was once mounted a large cannon called Garbh Gunjam, or 'Thunder from the Womb'. In the fort are water reservoirs.
Most parts of these gateways are now in ruins. The largest of its battlements is the 16th-century bastion known as the Bhim Burj, on which was once mounted a large cannon called Garbh Gunjam, or 'Thunder from the Womb'. In the fort are water reservoirs.


The fort also holds a shrine dedicated to [[Syed Meeran Hussain Khing Sawar|Miran Saheb ki Dargah]], who lost his life in 1202 CE during a [[Rajput]] attack. He was killed by Rajput bravehearts.<ref name="Rough">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aL_kDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT271|title=The Rough Guide to India|chapter=Ajmer and around|isbn=9780241295397|last1=Guides|first1=Rough|date=3 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="Asher1992">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ctLNvx68hIC&pg=PA79|title=Architecture of Mughal India|last=Asher|first=Catherine Ella Blanshard|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1992|place=Cambridge|page=79|chapter=The Age of Akbar|isbn=9780521267281}}</ref>
The fort also holds a shrine dedicated to [[Syed Meeran Hussain Khing Sawar|Miran Saheb ki Dargah]], who lost his life in 1202 CE during a [[Rajput]] attack. He was slain in a perfidious Rajput attack that took place while he and his men were conducting their prostration (namaaz).<ref name="Rough">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aL_kDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT271|title=The Rough Guide to India|chapter=Ajmer and around|isbn=9780241295397|last1=Guides|first1=Rough|date=3 October 2016|publisher=Rough Guides UK }}</ref><ref name="Asher1992">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ctLNvx68hIC&pg=PA79|title=Architecture of Mughal India|last=Asher|first=Catherine Ella Blanshard|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1992|place=Cambridge|page=79|chapter=The Age of Akbar|isbn=9780521267281}}</ref>


As per Tarikhi Daudi, there was no Dargah when Sher Shah visited the fort in 1544 CE and this place has no importance. It was later made up as Dargah.<ref>[[#Sarda|Ajmer, Historical and Descriptive]], pp. 56</ref>
After conquering the fort of Kandahar, Emperor Jahangir built this Marble Cage (Kathera) in the dargah of Meera Syed Hussain in 1615.<ref>[[Taragarh Fort, Ajmer#Author:R. Nath,  History of Mughal architecture|#Author:R. Nath,  
History of Mughal architecture]], pp. [https://books.google.com/books?id=ha5fG13V3XcC&dq=khing+sawar&pg=PA259 259]</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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* {{cite book | last=Dhoundiyal | first=B.N. | title=Rajasthan District Gazetteers: Ajmer. Gazetteer of India. Ajmer. Hauptbd | publisher=Bharat Printers | year=1966 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0vzttgAACAAJ | access-date=2022-04-07}}
* {{cite book | last=Dhoundiyal | first=B.N. | title=Rajasthan District Gazetteers: Ajmer. Gazetteer of India. Ajmer. Hauptbd | publisher=Bharat Printers | year=1966 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0vzttgAACAAJ | access-date=2022-04-07}}
* {{cite book|title=Maharana Sanga, The Hindupat |last=Sarda|first=Har Bilas|ref=Sanga|publisher=Scottish Mission Industries Company Limited|year=1918|edition=1st|location=Ajmer}}
* {{cite book|title=Maharana Sanga, The Hindupat |last=Sarda|first=Har Bilas|ref=Sanga|publisher=Scottish Mission Industries Company Limited|year=1918|edition=1st|location=Ajmer}}
* {{cite book|title=Ajmer Historical and Descriptive|last=Sarda|first=Har Bilas|ref=Sarda|publisher=Fine Art printing press, Ajmer|year=1941|location=Ajmer}}
* {{cite book|title=Ajmer Historical and Descriptive|last=architecture|first=mughal|ref=History of mughal|publisher=Abhinav, New Delhi, 1982-<2005>, Ajmer|year=1982|location=Delhi}}ref=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/History_of_Mughal_Architecture_The_trans/ha5fG13V3XcC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=khing+sawar&pg=PA259&printsec=frontcover


{{Forts in Rajasthan}}
{{Forts in Rajasthan}}

Latest revision as of 07:47, 2 February 2026


Taragarh Fort
Coordinates26°26′32″N 74°37′06″E / 26.442154°N 74.618288°E / 26.442154; 74.618288
LocationAjmer, Rajasthan, India
TypeFort
built byParmar Rajputs and Ajayaraja I

Taragarh Fort is a fortress built upon a steep hillside in the city of Ajmer in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was constructed by Maharaja of Parmar Rajputs, and repaired by Ajayaraja Chauhan[1] and it was originally called Ajaymeru Durg.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

This fort was known for its strength and strategic importance. First Islamic attack on the fort was made in 724, during reign of Chauhan King Durlabhraj I, who bravely fought Muslim armies under caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik. In this war, King Durlabhraj I did not receive support from fellow rajput kings. This war witnessed India's second Jauhar conducted by queens of King Durlabhraj I, along with other females in Taragarh Fort. The war is also known for sacrifice of 7-year old Chauhan Prince Lot, who bravely fought the invading armies, and laid down his life.

Parmar Rajputs assisted in capturing Taragarh fort of Ajmer۔

Prithviraj, son of Rana Raimal of Mewar and elder brother of Rana Sanga, captured Taragarh fort of Ajmer during the end of 15th century, after slaying Governor Mallu Khan.[3][4][5] The fort is also called Taragarh, named after Prithviraj's wife Tarabai.[6] It remained under control of Mewar and later Rana Sanga granted it to Karamchand Panwar[7]

The fort later was conquered by the victorious Mughal armies in the aftermath of Battle of Khanwa in Rana Sanga of Mewar faced a crushing defeat at the hands of Emperor Babur, the Founder of the Mughal Dynasty . The fort served as the administrative center of the Mughal province of Ajmer and was an important military foothold for the Mughal Expansion into Rajputana. The fort remained under the nominal sovereignty of the Mughal Emperor though it was de facto in the hands of the Rajputs of Amber . With its strategic prominence lost, the fort fell into disuse and neglect.

Architecture[edit | edit source]

There are three gateways to the fort known as Lakshmi Pol, Phuta Darwaza, and Gagudi ki Phatak. There were 14 bastions in the wall of this fort. Most parts of these gateways are now in ruins. The largest of its battlements is the 16th-century bastion known as the Bhim Burj, on which was once mounted a large cannon called Garbh Gunjam, or 'Thunder from the Womb'. In the fort are water reservoirs.

The fort also holds a shrine dedicated to Miran Saheb ki Dargah, who lost his life in 1202 CE during a Rajput attack. He was slain in a perfidious Rajput attack that took place while he and his men were conducting their prostration (namaaz).[8][9]

After conquering the fort of Kandahar, Emperor Jahangir built this Marble Cage (Kathera) in the dargah of Meera Syed Hussain in 1615.[10]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Tomars of Delhi by Harihar Niwas Dwivedi. Gwalior: Vidya Mandir Publication. 1983. p. 175.
  2. Ajmer, Historical and Descriptive, pp. 50.
  3. Dhoundiyal 1966, p. 54.
  4. Maharana Sanga The Hindupat, p28
  5. Ajmer:Historical and Descriptive, p45
  6. Rajawat 1991, p. 87.
  7. Dhoundiyal 1966, p. 55.
  8. Guides, Rough (3 October 2016). "Ajmer and around". The Rough Guide to India. Rough Guides UK. ISBN 9780241295397.
  9. Asher, Catherine Ella Blanshard (1992). "The Age of Akbar". Architecture of Mughal India. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 79. ISBN 9780521267281.
  10. #Author:R. Nath, History of Mughal architecture, pp. 259

Further reading[edit | edit source]