Dhar Fort

One of the many and major attractions of Dhar is its fort. The fort was built in the year 1344 by the Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughlaq while returning to Delhi from South. Located on the top of a rectangular hillock. fort is beautifully made with red stone. black stone and solid muram. The fort’s main entrance is on the Westside, though it’s guarded strongly by three gates. The third gate was built in the reign of Aurangzeb. This ancient monument stands erect with all its grandeur and magnificence. A unique combination of Hindu, mughal and Afghan architectural style, the fort is influenced due to Alauddin Khilji’s reign In Delhi then. Adding to its glory are three other major attractions in its confines. the Kharbooja Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and a museum. Presence of a bawdi (water reservoir) right in the midst of the fort seems to be silently uncovering many legendary stories. The panoramic view of the entire Dhar city can be captured from the rampart of the fort. The fort walls and charisma around the monument depicts many untold interesting stories narrated by Dhar in its long historic journey. The most popular one is associated with the rebellion of 1857. Though we all have been reading and listening many inspiring stories of freedom struggles during the Indian Independence movement. Dhar has been on the national map of Indian freedom movement since 1857. It was during the fight of independence that the Indian freedom fighters were said to have captured the Dhar fort for almost four months in the year 1857. It was General Stewart who ordered the use of canons to remove the Indian fighters from the fort, who actually fought courageously and bravely. After six days of battle and resistance, the heroic warriors ultimately succumbed to the heavy artillery attack by the British. On 30th of October 1857 the British forces entered the fort but could only find wealth of Rs. 9 Lac. Fortunately, fearless Indian freedom fighters escaped from the scene, leaving the British government barehanded. During this combat, the canons by which Britishers attacked the heroes are currently on display at the museum inside the fort.