He who holds the fort holds the hills
The founder of the Katoch dynasty, Bhumachand built this ancient fort. This goliath structure, located on the banks of River Ban Ganga has been a matter of great interest for all rulers of Northern India. This fort has been subjected to countless attacks and almost all rulers who ever walked on the land of India tried to take the Kangra fort under their control.
- Shreshta, who was the Raja of Kashmir made his first attack on this fort long ago in 470 A.D.
- Muhammad Gazni, plundered this fort in the year 1009. His loot included gold coins 7 lakh in number, Gold and Silver utensils weighing 28 tonnes, pearls and diamonds weighing 8 tonnes.
- Muhammed Tughlaq tried his mettle and captured the fort in 1337.
- Feroze Shah captured this fort later in the year 1357.
- Jahangir captured this fort in the year 1620 followed by Jassa Singh Kanhaya in the year 1781.
- Before falling under the control of the British in the year 1846, it was last occupied by Maharaja Sansar Chand in the year 1846.
In the earthquake of 1905, this fort was severally damaged. It is now under the management of ASI (Archaeological Survey of India).
The fort has in its front yard 2 temples, ‘Laxmi Narayan’ and ‘Adinath’. Both of them are Jain temples. Also inside are two ponds. One of these ponds is named ‘Kapoor Sagar’.
This beautiful fort with its long and narrow passages, ‘darwazas’ and temples stands as a tall structure and a witness to Kangra’s history. It is a must visit!
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