Location: Umaria District Map
Constructed: no latter than 3 century BC
Bandhavgarh Fort is an ancient hill fort located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, India, at the heart of the Bandhavgarh National Park. Perched atop Bandhavgarh Hill, which rises 811 meters above sea level, the fort dominates a landscape of rugged cliffs, dense forests, and swampy meadows known locally as 'bohera'. The fort spans approximately 560 acres of grassland plateau, surrounded by 32 smaller hills and featuring natural ramparts that provide panoramic views of the surrounding Vindhya Range. Its coordinates are around 23°40′58.96″N 81°2′7.49″E. The area is renowned not only for its historical significance but also as a biodiversity hotspot, home to a high density of Bengal tigers and other wildlife. The fort's integration with the national park makes it a unique site where history and nature converge.
Mythological Legends and Etymology
The name "Bandhavgarh" derives
from "Bandhav" (brother) and "Garh" (fort), meaning "Brother's Fort."
Hindu mythology, particularly the Ramayana, links it to Lord Rama
gifting the fort to his brother Lakshmana (devoted companion) after
defeating Ravana in Lanka, so Lakshmana could watch over the southern
direction. Some accounts say Rama stopped here en route back from Lanka
and had the fort built or rebuilt. Legends credit Hanuman and his monkey
army (who built the Rama Setu bridge) with constructing or raising the
impregnable cliff walls. References appear in ancient texts like the
Narad Panch Ratna and Shiva Sanhita Purana. A temple inside honors
Lakshmana as the chief deity (Bandhavdeesh or similar).
These stories
remain unverified historically but deeply embed the fort in cultural
memory; the site retains spiritual importance, with claims of saint
Kabir Das preaching there for years in the 16th century and musician
Tansen (gifted to Akbar by a Baghel ruler) spending time there.
Archaeological and Early Evidence
Man-made caves, rock paintings,
inscriptions (including Brahmi script), and settlements date human
activity to pre-Christian eras (possibly pre-historic or at least 1st
century BC to early centuries AD). The "Bhimseni Sanwat" inscription
(~300 AD) references King Bhimsen of the Bharhivas/Bharihas Vakataka
dynasty. Buddhist-linked idols discovered by the Archaeological Survey
of India (ASI) date to ~1,400 years old (~600 AD or earlier). The fort's
antiquity exceeds 2,000 years in some estimates, with evidence of
continuous occupation and rebuilding.
Dynastic History and
Timeline
The fort served as a strategic stronghold for multiple
dynasties over centuries, with additions, sieges, and shifts in control.
Precise early chronology varies due to limited records, but a general
sequence emerges:
Ancient/Early Period (pre-300 AD onward):
Possible Mauryan influence (3rd century BC references in some accounts);
Maghas; Gupta; Pratihara. Vakataka dynasty (Bharhivas/Vakataka branch)
holds the earliest firm historical marker ~300 AD (Bhimsen inscriptions;
Vakatakas ruled Deccan areas, linked to Ajanta caves and
Buddhism/Hinduism patronage). Brahmi inscriptions near the fort date to
~1st century BC.
Medieval Period: Sengars (Rajput clan); Kalachuris
(Haihaya branch, prominent ~12th century); brief periods under others.
Chandelas (of Khajuraho fame) attacked but reportedly failed to capture
it.
Baghel (Baghela/Vaghela) Dynasty (13th–20th century): Pivotal
rulers. Origins trace to Vaghela warriors from Gujarat (displaced ~1298
under Alauddin Khilji). Raja Vyaghra Dev (or similar, descendant of Vir
Dhawal/Vaghela) gained control around mid-13th century; his son Karan
Deo received Bandhavgarh (Bandhogarh) as dowry upon marrying a Kalachuri
(Haihaya) princess of Mandla. The Baghels made it their capital
(sometimes called Bandhogarh state). Key rulers include:
Ramchandra
Singh (r. ~1555–1592): Maintained a cultured court; gifted musician
Tansen and Birbal to Mughal Emperor Akbar.
The fort faced an
eight-month siege by Akbar's forces in 1597 and was damaged/destroyed.
Later: Vikramaditya Singh (r. ~1618–1630) shifted the capital to Rewa
~1617–1618, founding the town; this reduced habitation at the fort.
Brief interlude: Kuruvanshees (or similar) held it 1495–1535 AD
before Baghels regained control. Gonds (tribal rulers) are credited in
some sources with constructing or significantly building/renovating the
current stone fort structures around the 10th century (or later
additions).
The Baghels ruled until India's independence (1947–1948
accession); the area stayed their private hunting reserve post-capital
shift.
Key Structures and Features
The fort includes:
Ancient temples (some 10th–12th century), including those with
Dashavatar (10 Vishnu avatars) carvings and a primary Lakshmana temple.
Shesh Shaiya: Iconic 10th-century reclining statue of Lord Vishnu
(~32–35 feet long) on the seven-headed serpent Sheshnag, carved from
rock; legend says the Charanganga River (perennial source) originates
from Vishnu's feet.
Caves with inscriptions (e.g., Bhimsen) and rock
art/tiger pugmark carvings.
Ruins of Baghel royal palace,
ponds/talabs (traditionally 12 built by Gonds, few remain), hidden
passages/escape routes.
The site is largely dilapidated/ruinous today
but retains spiritual use (open limited days, e.g., Janmashtami, Kabir
Panth events).
Later History: Abandonment, Hunting Reserve, and
Conservation
After the capital shift to Rewa (~1617), human pressure
declined; the fort and villages were gradually deserted (last
inhabitants left ~1935 AD). The Rewa Maharajas (Baghels) declared the
area their exclusive private hunting/game reserve, preserving dense
forests and tigers. Notable events:
Early 20th century: First
white tigress reportedly hunted ~1918 by Raja Gulab Singh.
1951:
Maharaja Martand Singh captured (instead of shooting) a rare white tiger
cub, Mohan, near the fort area; this sparked global interest and captive
breeding programs.
Post-independence, the area came under
Government of India control. Maharaja Martand Singh advocated
conservation; with Indira Gandhi's support, it became a wildlife
sanctuary/national park in 1968 (core area expanded later), a Project
Tiger reserve (core ~716 km² total larger), and gained full tiger
reserve status ~1993 (Project Tiger inclusion noted ~2002 in some refs).
This transformation preserved the habitat while protecting Bengal tigers
(high density) and other wildlife.
Today, the fort itself is
generally closed to public visitors (restricted access, government/Rewa
family ownership elements persist), though jeep safaris in the park
offer distant views, and limited spiritual visits occur. The site
exemplifies India's layered history: mythology, ancient settlements,
dynastic power struggles, royal patronage of arts/hunting, and modern
wildlife conservation.
Bandhavgarh Fort is a classic hill fort, constructed in the 10th century using local stone by a Rajput clan. It stands 2,500 feet tall with cliffs up to 240 meters, featuring huge sandstone walls, imposing gates, and intricate carvings blending various architectural styles. Inside, remnants include a treasury, prison, queen’s palace, parliament (House of Commons), school, stables, and temples. A hidden escape passage exists from one temple. The fort includes three lakes and ancient ponds vital for wildlife. Key features are the 39 caves scattered across the hill and surrounding hillocks, some dating to the 1st century with Brahmi script inscriptions. Temples include the white Bandhav-Dhish temple dedicated to Lakshmana, three 12th-century temples, and rock carvings of Vishnu's incarnations from the 10th century, such as a 32-foot reclining Vishnu at Shesh Shaiyya (where the Charanganga River originates), a 22-foot Narasimha, Varaha, Matsya, and Kurma. The fort is in a dilapidated state but retains its grandeur.
Bandhavgarh Fort holds immense historical, spiritual, and ecological significance. Spiritually, it is a site of worship with Lakshmana as the presiding deity and associations with Vishnu's preservation themes, symbolized by the cyanobacteria-rich spring pools. Historically, it represents layers of Indian dynasties and mythology. Ecologically, its abandonment allowed the area to become a premier tiger habitat, forming the core of Bandhavgarh National Park, established in 1968 and declared a tiger reserve in 1993. The park boasts the highest tiger density in India and diverse fauna including leopards, deer, and over 250 bird species. Conservation efforts focus on balancing tourism with wildlife protection; the fort's restricted access preserves its ruins and supports biodiversity. Stories of tigers coexisting peacefully with priests highlight the harmonious human-wildlife relationship.
Access to Bandhavgarh Fort is limited due to its location within the national park's Tala zone. Visitors can embark on guided jeep safaris or treks, but the full fort is currently restricted; tourists are allowed only up to the halfway point at Shesh Shaiyya to view the Vishnu statue and carvings. A knowledgeable guide is essential for interpreting the site's history and spotting wildlife en route, such as vultures, blue rock thrushes, and tigers. The trek from Chakradhara meadow offers breathtaking views and encounters with ancient sculptures nestled in the forest. Safaris combine fort exploration with tiger sightings, birdwatching, and visits to nearby attractions like Cheshpur Waterfall. Permits are required, and the best time to visit is October to June, with stays available in nearby lodges. The site appeals to history buffs, spiritual seekers, and nature enthusiasts, offering a blend of adventure and serenity.