Kankwari Fort Alwar is located within the buffer zone of the Sariska wildlife National Park. The old medieval fort is set amidst hillocks, lush forests full of a variety of species of animals. Located deep into the wild forest, the Alwar Tour – Kankwari Fort is a perfect example of a Vandurga that is a jungle fort.
The Alwar, Rajasthan – Kankwari Fort is located at distance of 21 kilometers from the main gate of Sariska Sanctuary and the drive from the gate to the fort is very exciting. With the chance of spotting a tiger any moment, the tourists are sure to enjoy the ride through the forest. Camouflaged by the wildness of nature, the historic Kankwari Fort Alwar has still retained its imposing presence. The interiors of the Alwar – Kankwari Fort is now in ruins.
Dating back to the Mughal times, the Alwar – Kankwari Fort is also historically important. Auragzeb, the son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, captured his brother Dara Shikoh and exiled him to the Alwar – Kankwari Fort. Dara Shikoh was confined in the fort till the last day of his life. The Alwar – Kankwari Fort was constructed for this specific purpose on the orders of Aurangzeb and thousands of soldiers were appointed to monitor Dara Shikohs activities all round the clock.
The historical significance of the Alwar – Kankwari Fort and the panoramic natural surroundings, in which it is set, makes it one of the most popular tourist spot in Alwar.
History of the Kankwari Fort
Constructed long back during the 16th century, the Kankwari Fort Alwar was built by King Jai Singh, who was the ruler of Amer then and a senior general of the Mughal empire. Owing to the natural camouflage around the fort, Kankwari fort was primarily used for keeping the political prisoners in custody centuries ago but at the moment it serves as one of the top tourist places to visit in Alwar.
In the earlier times, forts were usually built at high mountains or hills to make them visible from afar but the Kankwari fort is constructed on a relatively shorter hill in the heart of a lush green forest and mountains to make it a completely safe place for the purpose of imprisonment. One can basically say that the Kankwari fort was constructed with the sole intention of Dara Shikoh’s imprisonment. The story of exile of Dara Shikoh is still very vivid and fresh in the minds of the local people.
Initially Shah Jahan and his elder sister Jahanara wanted Dara Shikoh to be the next successor after the great Mughal emperor Shah Jahan but his other son, Aurangzeb wished to be the next successor and hence did not like this decision. As a result, in order to prevent Dara Shikoh from being the successor, Aurangzeb imprisoned his brother in the Kankwari fort with the sole purpose of getting the throne. Kankwari Fort Alwar was chosen by Aurangzeb because this fort was located at a convenient distance from Delhi and was under the supervision of Jai Singh, who was one of his most trustworthy people.
It is believed that Aurangzeb was so particular about the imprisonment, that he surrounded the fort with a huge rampart from all the sides and kept it guarded all around by placing his armed soldiers so that none of the supporters of Dara Shikoh from the Mughal Army could help him in fleeing away from the Kankwari fort. If the rumours are to be believed, it is said that Dara Shikoh was captivated in this fort till his very last breath. It is this incident of Dara Shikoh’s imprisonment which has granted this remarkable fort a great historical significance.
Best Time To Visit The Kankwari Fort
Like the rest of the state of Rajasthan, Alwar experiences a hot and dry climate throughout the year. In fact, during the summer season the temperatures during the day sometimes go so high to the point where the heat becomes unbearable. Though the winter season can be a bit chilly but usually during the day the weather is pleasant enough for sightseeing and exploration. As a result, it can be said that the best time to visit the Kankwari Fort Alwar will be somewhere in the winter season. Alwar experiences winter from October till February. Though the natural beauty is at its peak during monsoon, the roads can be a bit slippery.
How To Reach The Kankwari Fort?
Kankwari Fort Alwar is one of the most popular forts to visit in Rajasthan and is very easy to reach. Located among the Aravalli hills in the well – known Sariska Tiger reserve in the Kankwari village of the Alwar district in the Indian state of Rajasthan, there are multiple modes of transport available to reach the fort. Some of the ways to reach the Kankwari fort are:
By Air: The nearest airport to reach the Kankwari fort is located in Alwar itself. This is a domestic airport but if you are looking for an international airport, then it will be the Jaipur International Airport which is about 126 km away from the Kankwari Fort Alwar. Once you reach the airport, you can take a cab or hire a taxi to reach the fort. This road trip will probably be about 3 to 4 hours long. You may think this journey to be long but the scenic natural beauty on the way will keep you engaged and entertained.
By Rail: The nearest railway station to reach the Kankwari fort is located in Alwar. The Alwar junction railway station provides a plenty of trains connecting the place to several major cities of the country including Jodhpur, Delhi, Mumbai and many more. Since the railway station is located not much far away from the fort, you can easily take any of the public means of transport for reaching the destination.
By Road: Alwar is well – connected by roadways as well. Since the roads are in excellent conditions, you can travel easily by personal vehicles too. Kankwari Fort Alwar is pretty easily accessible by road from some of the major tourist destinations located nearby such as Sariska, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Delhi and Deeg.
