Chunar Fort, in the Mirzapur District, is located almost forty kilometres away from the city of Varanasi. It is situated on the Vindhya Mountain Range overlooking the Ganga River. The fort has been erected in Mirzapur District.
History of Chunar Fort
The Chunar Fort has a rich history. It was built by Maharaja Vikramaditya, the king of Ujjain. According to the Alha Khand, King Sahadeo established his capital in this Fort. He is said to have constructed a statue of Naina Yogini in a cave in the Vindhyan Range. Once he won a battle against 52 rulers. Thus to commemorate his victory he built a stone umbrella inside the fort.
Chunar Fort is also related to the Emperors of the Mughal Dynasty. This has helped to enhance its glory in the world history. It is regarded as one of the mightiest fortresses of medieval India. The fort was earlier possessed by Babur and later Sher Shah Suri. He earned the ownership of the fort by marrying the wife of Taj Khan Sarang Khani, the Governor of Ibrahim Lodi. Even Sher Shah Suri was caught by the beauty of the Fort. Thus the will the fort drew Humayun and Sher Shah Suri to the battlefield in 1531 A.D. Humayun however, lost the battle and the fort went into the hands of Sher Shah Suri. Later in the year 1574AD, Akbar the great captured this fort. From that time Chunar Fort remained under the possession of the Mughals up to 1772 AD. In the 18th century the Nawab of Awadh took over the Chunar Fort. Finally in the year 1772 AD the British East India Company captured the Chunar Fort.
According to mythology, Chunar Fort was earlier named as Charanadri. It was believed that Lord Vishnu had taken his first step in the Bali Dynasty in the incarnation of Vamana.
Attractions of Chunar Fort
Chumar is rich in sandstones that have been employed in building the Ashokan Pillars and many other pillars. The Fort is surrounded by huge walls. The citadel overlooks the beautiful Ganga River. The sight of sunset looks mesmerising from the ramparts. The Sonwa Mandap inside the Chunar Fort serves as a major attraction for the tourists. One can also find the Sun Dial inside the Fort. A huge well is another tourist attraction inside the Fort. The Chunar Fort thus with its rich historical background and other major attractive features stands as a major tourist spot in Varanasi.
