CHUNAR FORT VARANASI

Forty kilometers away from Varanasi is the Chunar Fort, Varanasi located. It overlooks the Ganges. It is situated on the Vindhyan Ranges. The district is called Mirzapur where Chunar Fort, Varanasi is situated.

HISTORY OF CHUNAR FORT:

The Chunar Fort, Varanasi represents the Indian rulers for over five hundred years. The Chunar Fort, Varanasi continued to pass from Humayun to Sher Shah to Akbar and so on. Finally in the 18th century it was the Nawab of Awadh, who took over the Chunar Fort, Varanasi. Finally the British took over the Fort. The sandstones of Chunar were used in the making of the Ashokan Pillars. The Chunar Fort is situated in the Vindhyan Range. According to mythology, Chunar Fort, Varanasi was named Charanadri. It was believed that Lord Vishnu had taken his first step in the great King Bali Dynasty in the incarnation of Vaman. Chunar Fort, Varanasi is believed to be established by Maharaja Vikramaditya, King of Ujjain. It is said by Alha Khand; King Sahadeo established his capital in this Fort. He is believed to have constructed a statue of Naina Yogini in a cave in the Vindhyan Range. It was King Sahadeo, who built a stone umbrella inside the Fort to immortalize his victory. It was the fort’s connection with the Mughal kings that increased its importance in the world history.

The Fort came under Babur and later under Sher Shah’s ownership. It was after Sher Shah’s marriage with Taj Khan Sarang-Khani’s wife, that Sher Shah owned the Fort. Taj Khan Sarang-Khani was the Governor of Ibrahim Lodhi. Although Humayun failed to conquer the Fort, it was Akbar who took possession of the Fort in 1574 A.D. From that period onwards the fort continued to be under the possession of the Mughals. The Fort was appropriated by the East India Company in the year 1772 A.D.

The Fort of Chunar is built along one of the weaves of the Ganges. Huge walls circumscribe the fort from all sides. These walls look down the meandering river alongside the Fort.

MAIN ATTRACTION INSIDE THE FORT:

The major attraction for the tourists inside the Fort is the Sonwa Mandap. Inside the Fort one can also find the Sun Dial. A massive well is another tourist attraction inside the Fort.

Chunar Fort is one of the major tourist attractions in Varanasi. Apart from the historical background of the Fort which is striking, tourists are attracted to this Fort for its other attractive features. All these make Chunar Fort an attractive tourist destination.