Information on Chanderi Fort (Ashoknagar, Madhya Pradesh) - History & Architecture

Chanderi Fort located in the ancient town of Chanderi, in the district of Ashoknagar, in the state of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. It is situated at a distance of 38 km from Mungoali, 37 km from Lalitpur, 45 km from Esagarh and 127 km from Shivpuri. It is located southwest side of the Betwa River on a hill that is 71 meter above the town. In the surrounding of this palace, there are many monuments related to the Malwa sultans and Bundela Rajputs. This particular Fort is strategically located on the borders of Bundelkhand and Malwa.

Chanderi Fort Architecture

Chanderi Fort is one of the vast Mughal forts. The main entrance gate of this fort is largely known as the "Khooni Darwaza". There is also a curious gateway known as katti-ghatti that is made through a hill side to the southwest side of the fort. The Muslim rulers of Chanderi constructed the fortification walls. There are lot of shades of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles and patterns in this fort.

Chanderi Fort History

According to the historians, the town of Chanderi is mentioned from the documents related to the 11th century. It is an important spot in the trade routes of Central India. It was close to the arterial path to the ancient ports of Gujarat. It was well connected with the Deccan, Mewar, Malwa and other part of Central India. On the other hand, in 1030, Chanderi is cited by the Persian scholar named Alberuni. In 1251, Ghiyas ud din Balban in a successful manner captured the Chanderi for Nasir ud din Mahmud who was the Sultan of Delhi. In 1438, Sultan Mahmud I Khilji of Malwa also captured the Chanderi after several months of siege.

Medini Rai who was a rebellious minister of Sultan Mahmud II of Malwa received Chanderi as gift from Rana Sangha of Mewar after he captured the town in 1520. Later, Babur, the Mughal Emperor captured the town from Medini Rai. It passed on the hand of Sher Shah Suri in 1540 and under the governorship of Shujaat Khan. In the subah of Malwa, the Mughal Emperor Akbar successfully made the town a sarkar. In 1586, the Bundela Rajputs in a successful manner captured the town plus it was largely held by Ram Sab who is a son of Raja Madhukar of Orchha.

Devi Singh Bundela was appointed as governor of the town in 1680. Jean Baptiste Filose annexed this region for the Maratha ruler Daulat Rao Sindhia of Gwalior in 1811. The ancient town was directly transferred in 1844 to the British. During the Revolt of 1857, the British largely lost control of the town. On February 14, 1858, the town was recaptured by Sir Hugh Rose. On the other hand, for leading this assault, Richard Harte Keatinge was grandly awarded the Victoria Cross. In 1861, the town was directly transferred back to the Sindhias of Gwalior. It became part and parcel of the district of Isagarh in the state of Gwalior. In 1947, after India's independence, the state of Gwalior became part of the newly formed state of Madhya Bharat. On November 1, 1956, it was merged into the state of Madhya Pradesh.

Chanderi Fort Tourism Importance

The vast Chanderi Fort is a must visit Fort in India by local and foreign visitors. This Fort speaks volume of power struggle in Central India from medieval period to the end of British period with a lot of perfection. It can be easily accessed from the city of Ashoknagar.