HISTORICAL FORTS OF JAMMU EITHER EXTINCT OR CRUMBLING.

                                                                       

                                  ( Reasi Fort outer view . crumbling from within .)

                                             ( Basholi  Fort  extinct ))

                    ( Dharnidhar Fort Rajouri Almost extinct )

                                                     ( Hiranagar Fort  Crumbling )

                                                              ( Jasrota Fort facing extinction  )

                                 ( Kaleeth Fort Facing extinction )

                                               ( Mohargarh Fort Crumbling )

                                                             ( Samba Fort Crumbling )
                                                                               

                                                       ( Laddan Fort Udhampur )
        

HISTORICAL FORTS OF JAMMU ARE EITHER EXTINCT OR CRUMBLING....

Forts are a special feature of Jammu's historical past. Mostly spread in the areas falling between rivers Ravi and Chenab, these forts are facing neglect and apathy. History of Jammu is written in so many crumbling structures left totally unattended to the vagaries of nature. Due to neglect, so many structures have faced extinction. The gates of the old walled city of Jammu are nowhere to be seen now. I mean Jogi gate, Denis gate and Sherawala gate. The surviving Gumat gate is facing total neglect. Entire Mubarak Mandi Complex is facing apathy and inattention. Many heritage and historical buildings in this complex are crumbling and may turn into debris. The repairs started with much fanfare is very slow and intermittent. This Darbaar complex is spread over 120 kanals of land. It is a blend of Rajasthani, Mughal and Baroque (European) style of architecture. Some important structures like Gole Ghar, Rani Bhandrali Palace, Maharani Charaki Palace, Darbaar Hall, Hawa Mahal, Green Hall, Grey Hall, Raja Amar Singh Palace, Gharvi khaana (Dawai khana) and Gulabi Dewan Khana have either crumbled or are in pathetic state due to utter neglect. Royal Treasury Building is a heap of debris, Maharaja Partap Singh's Palace has turned into ruins and some floors of Gole Ghar have completely collapsed.

 

 

In this context, I need to mention that almost all historical forts are either crumbling structures or have become extinct. One or two surviving forts demand immediate repair, restoration and attention. Some prominent forts of Jammu could be listed as under:

 

(1) Jasrota and Jasmergarh Forts near Kathua facing extinction.

(2) Lakhanpur Fort built by Jamwal Rajputs facing extinction.

(3) Ramnagar Fort needing restoration, repair and attention.

(4) Mastgarh Fort in Jammu city is extinct now. The Mosque in Mastgarh locality was actually inside the extinct fort. The mosque was built by Raja Gaje Singh (1672-1707) for Khalil Khan, an emissary sent by Aurangzeb.

(5) Ramgarh Fort about 20 Kms from Jammu and close to the border. Almost extinct.

(6) Samba Fort crumbling structure.

(7) Mohargarh Fort, about 11 kms from Samba on the Mansar Lake road near the village Nadd, is crumbling.

(8) Sumrata Fort, about 100 kms from Jammu, built by Sumbaria Rajputs, is facing extinction.

(9) Basholi Fort in Basholi town facing extinction. The fort looks like a heap of debris.

(10)Bhimgarh Fort in Reasi crumbling from inside.

(11) Bilawar Fort facing extinction.

(12) Bhaderwah Fort facing extinction.

(13) Bahu Fort in Jammu city needs restoration, attention and repair.

(14) Mahanpur Fort near Thein facing extinction.

(15) Mankote Fort facing extinction.

(16) Kapoorgarh Fort near Nagrota facing extinction.

(17) Jaganoo Fort near Udhampur facing extinction.

(18) Salaal and Dhyangarh Forts in Reasi facing extinction.

(19) Kiramchi Fort built by Bhatiyal Rajputs facing extinction.

(20) Nanga Fort near Ramgarh Jammu now extinct.

(21) Devigarh Fort now extinct.

(22) Baddu Fort near Bilawar is almost extinct now.

(23) Chenani Fort built by Chandel Rajputs now extinct.

(24) Thaloda Fort near Manwal facing extinction.

(25) Syedgarh Fort near Ramgarh now extinct.

(27) Akhnoor Fort needs repair, renovation and attention.

(28) Hiranagar Fort Is cing extinction.

(29) Poonch Fort almost extinct.

(30) Darhaal Fort almost extinct.

(31) Kaleeth Fort near Nowshera /Jaurian almost extinct.

(32) Laddan Fort. Udhampur is almost extinct.

(33) Gajpat Fort Ramban crumbling due to neglect.

(34) Dharnidhar Fort Rajouri crumbling and facing extinction.

(35) Thein Fort (Near Lakhanpur) facing extinction.

 

History of entire Jammu is linked to these forts that have faced neglect, callousness and inattention from all quarters. These places have enormous tourist potential.

 

(Avtar Mota)

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