Information on Buxa Fort (Jalpaiguri, West Bengal) - History & Architecture

The Buxa Fort depicts a strong history with regard to Indian Independence. The Fort has its own cultural heritage, which makes it a favourite tourist spot. Buxa Fort is situated in the district of Jalpaiguri of West Bengal at a high altitude of 867 metres above the sea level. The Fort is followed amid the dense forest with exotic viewpoints 30 kilometres from the township of Alipurduar. The fort also inscribes the ancient facts relating to the King of Bhutan and the survival story of the freedom fighters of the nation.

Buxa Fort Architecture

In the year1873, Buxa Fort saw its existence in the form of a cantonment. It was initiated by the East India Company to safeguard the vital routes amid the two nations i.e. Bhutan and India. It is perceived that in the 7th epoch, the King of Kamtapur created the fort through the use of bamboos and woods. Moreover, from the architectural point of view, it is observed that the fort is more like a solitary jail or detention camp. Few of the structure of the fort structure was made up of bamboos and wood. However, it was redesigned by the British and was well constructed with stones in the later time period. This national heritage of the nation has ruined considerably over the years except for the entrance which has the inscription of prisoner's messages to Rabindra Nath Tagore on one of the stone. The other stone has the patriotic poems inscribed as mark of respect for the freedom fighters. Its architectural importance is awe-inspiring but the time time, it's slowly fading away and where time will come, where its glorious architectural beauty and the historical importance would find no meaning in this present day world. Though many has left an unforgettable mark here which are well witnessed by the various corner of Buxa Fort, its architectural importance which comes to the picture, when importance is talked about Buxa Fort.

Buxa Fort History

The history of Buxa Fort has a mystery involved with it. As per the historical evidences it is notified that the fort is either constructed by the Tibetan or the Kamtapuri in the past decades. With regard to historical references, the Fort depicts the story of freedom fighters and their tyranny. After the treaty of Sinchula, in the year 1865, the British got the ownership of the Buxa Fort. Several freedom fighters were kept captive by the British in the Buxa Fort. One among those prisoners includes Sri Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. The sculpture of the fort depicts various fearless fights and cruelties faced by our freedom fighters. Moreover, the fort also safeguarded the Silk Route, as it was used by the refugees from Tibet and Bhutan as a passage to enter the country illegally. Thus the historical importance of Buxa Fort is well guarded even today and illustrates the glory of the freedom fighters and the magnitude it carries every today.

Buxa Fort Tourism Importance

The location of the Fort makes it an interesting tourism attraction. The way to Buxa Fort is about 5km long by road covered with tropical Rain forest. It is one of the natural International corridors for wild elephants migrating from India to Bhutan. The Tiger Reserve in Buxa has end numbers of tigers along with other wild animals. This is the best place for the people who love wildlife and trekking. Other than that the historical heritage associated with the fort also makes it a must visit for the people who are interested in exploring the history of the country prior to independence.