Alwar Fort is a large fort and also known as Bala Quila which means 'Young Fort'. Located at the top of 300 mar steep cliffs, Alwar fort is facing the Alwar city. This fort is built by Hasan Khan Mewati in 1550 A.D.Alwar fort is 5 km long and 1.5 km wide and has six historical entrances - Chand Pol, Suraj Pal (named after Raja Suraj Mal of Bharatpur), Jai Pol, Kishan Pol, Andheri Gae and Laxman Pol. Legends says that Pratap Singh, founder of Alwar state entered in the fort through Laxman Pol. Laxman Pol is the only mattled road which connects city and fort.
History of Alwar Fort
Hasan Khan Mewati built the Bala Quila in 1551 AD. After that, the Alwar fort was ruled by Mughals, Marathas, and Jats.
Lastly, in 1775 A.D Kachhwaha Rajput Pratap Singh captured it and laid the foundation of Alwar city near it. Babur, the Mughal emperor had spent a night in the fort whereas Jahangir stayed for three years during the exile period and at that time he named it Salim Mahal.
Architecture of Alwar Fort
Alwar Fort is counted among the largest forts in Rajasthan which extends in the range of 5 kms. The fort has 6 entrance gates and is known by the name of Pol.
The 6 gates of the fort are Chand Pol, Suraj Pol, Krishna Pol, Laxman Pol, Andheri Gate, and Jai Pol. Each of these gates is named after some rulers and narrates their chivalry.
The fort is built in a number Style and the walls of the fort have beautiful scriptures and sculptures carved in them.
Besides these beautiful carvings, the fort also has a number of other notable buildings like Suraj Kud, Salim Nagar Pond, Jal Mahal, and Nikumbha Mahal Palace.
Forts in Rajasthan reminds tourists of royalty and bravery, of epic battles and valiant heroes & when battles were fought, sacrifice and brutality came along, and sorrow and death were not far behind. All these battles were fought to capture the hill forts of Rajasthan. If you paint a mental picture of what Rajasthan stands for, the hill forts will immediately flash before your eyes as powerful remnants of these long fought wars and battles. The hill forts were the first structures that were built by powerful Rajput kings, for protecting their kingdoms from enemy attacks was their first priority. Their elevated positions above rugged hills gave them an edge over enemies, & allowed them to monitor their surroundings. These were not small forts by any means, but massive structures, powerful enough to withstand cannonballs & fireballs & large enough to accommodate large armies. They were not only meant for defence, but their strategic location allowed them to control trade activities, & also served as royal residences, where kings & his families lived, along with ministers. You will find these hill forts at innumerable places in Rajasthan, & some of them are so magnificent that they have earned them a place in the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.