Thursday 16 August 2012

Fort at Mohindergarh

This old fort was being used as a Court complex until recently and despite its continuous use as a government office for so many years in the past, its present condition is very sad.

This fort is a square shaped complex surrounded by high walls.Two story residential structures are there, inside the fort along its perimeter. Few of these are still in good condition and are in use while other sections have fallen apart or in the middle of this process.There is also an old well inside the complex.

I could not find much about the history of this fort except a few passing references in certain sources like Gazetteer of Punjab State published in 1908. There is a brief note on page 306 about this fort, which reads as ,"The fort at Kanaud in Patiala state, was so named in 1861 by Maharaja Narinder Singh, in honor of his son Mohinder Singh. The fort contains public offices of Mohindergarh nizamat and tahsil and the treasury, jail etc".

Old name of Mohindergarh was Kanaud (prior to 1860s, before it became a part of Patiala state).

Fort is also mentioned, several times in the book "Military memoirs of Mr.George Thomas" by William Francklin (1805). According to this, Marathas had a very strong hold in this region and this fort was under the command of their chief Appakanderow and later of his successor Vavon Row.

It is also believed that the fort has also seen the passive action during the uprising of 1857. Company armies under the command of Lt.Col. J.G. Gerrard had camped here before starting their march towards the battlefield of Nasibpur (Near Narnaul, around 25 Km from Mohindergarh), on the early morning on 16th November 1857.

It is also believed that prior to the arrival of Company and their supporters, this fort was under native control(Forces of Rewari) and they had evacuated it in order to assemble as a much stronger army at Nasibpur.

Front gate of the fort

Front gate from Inside

2-story quarters along side the fort wall (inside the fort)

Condition of the fort

 well inside the fort complex

About Mohindergarh:- Mohindergarh is a district in Haryana and is situated at a distance of 25 Km from Narnaul, 45 Km from Rewari and 65 km from Bhiwani. 

Co-ordinates of the fort :- 28°16’10” N and 76°08’48”E.

Other places at Mohindergarh city:- There are many old Havelis in the city and some of them are really amazing which i would try to cover during my next visit.

Official Website of Mohindergarh district is http://mahendragarh.nic.in

I am thankful of my friend Naveen for accompanying me there.

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