Information on Raibania Fort (Balasore, Odisha) - History & Architecture

Raibania Fort is a 776 year old fort standing in ruined condition at Laxmannath Road, Jewelshwar, near Balasore District of Odhissa State in India. This fort was the most significant bastion for the eastern part of the Indian providence ruled by the Ganga Dynasty.

Raibania Fort Architecture

Raibania Fort is located near the Subarnarekha River. Apart from its fortified walls it is also fenced by river flowing around the forts. This fort was built in the medieval era, in a military type structure. The architect of this fort is Langula Narasinha Deba, who was the royal King of Ganga Dynasty. The entire forts and its complex were built over a decade of time, with thousands of laborers from the same regions. There are nearly four forts and many palaces built for the royal's of Ganga Dynasty. Its fort walls are constructed in a pentagon model. It is believed there were nearly three major gateways to this fort; theses are not seen in the present times. This fortification is surrounded by many water catchment tanks, many Hindu temples for worship purposes. The famous temple here is the Jay Chandi Mandir. Dum Dumi was the name of a modern bridge built here. The entire fort is built of red sand stones, mud blocks, and laterite stones bonded with lime stone pastes. This fort has got deep ditches on its three sides of the fortified walls. It has got natural trenches with the river flowing on its three inclines. Most of the inner structures were built of muds; these are seen in ruin stage now. Most of the ruined structures are still on excavation here. This fort is considered to be the most significant fort for army and civilians for its vast space. There are vast grounds for army and its staple purposes. Many storage structures are seen here.

Raibania Fort History

Raibania Fort is a great fortress of the medieval era in India. No such fort can be seen with such architectural factors. This fort was built around 1238 AD to 1264 AD. The 13th to 15th century was a golden era to this kingdom, with this fort as the commanding place for the entire region. This was in the attack of the Mughals in the 17th century. This fort and its kingdom are noted in the Ain-i-Akbari, which is the Mughal Emperor Akbar's regimental book of history. It was also under the foreign invasion, the Afghans fought many wars here to capture this fort. This fort was later under the cove f the Maratwad rulers in the later part of the 18th century. The colonialist also tampered this fort mostly in the initial entry to West Bengal. This fort is still in controversy. There are many places her to be excavated, since most of the structures are ruined here due to aggressions, natural calamities like floods and natural weathering of rocks here. On excavation there were many historic valuables underneath the ruined forts like coins, inscription and metal armories and utensils. The government both the central and state is not acting up on it due to lack of funds. Presently this fort excavation works is taken by the University of Kolkata. There are many public interest litigation raised by its local peoples and historians to protect this ancient monument. Its reconstruction works are also going on with UNESCO funds.

Raibania Fort Tourism Importance

Raibania Fort is an Indian heritage site. This fort and its kingdom were most prominent to develop theses province in art and culture. This is a typical Hindu fortress near a river bank with pasture land. It is a scenic place to see.