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KALINJAR FORT : THE TIME WINNER ANCIENTMOST FORT OF INDIA*
Dinesh Chandra Citadels and forts symbolised not only seats of power or authority but stood as rock against invasions and attacks. Kalinjar is one of the most ancient and strategically located forts of India which was the site of several battles associating with it the names of Mohammed Ghazni, Prithviraj Chauhān, Qutbud-din Aibak, Hunāyun, Sher Shāh Sūrī, Akbar and Chhatrasal! The fort is located on a mountain known as Kalinjar, in the east of Bändā district of U.P. en route to Wagod, Satanā and Jabalpur. Kalinjar stands on an isolated Vindliyan top at an elevation of 1200 ft. from sea level. The summit of the fort is oblong in slape and nearly a mile in length and half a mile in breadth. It is fortified by a rampart four miles in circuit and constructed of large blocks of stone. A sloping path provides access to the fort. The flight of steps pass through seven gateways. Tlie fort had two entrances : Alam Darwāzā and Pannā Darwāzā. The Alam Darwāzā is a battlemented building added during times of Aurangzeb. It was guarded by other gates like Ganèsh, Chandī, Budhbhadra, Hanuman etc. The fort accommodates in itself architecture created by Chandela Kings, rock cut tanks and caves. Some of the buildings bear carvings and inscriptions yielding a renowned tantrik centre in times of Maliābhārata? The fort was decorated with beautiful carvings and images of gods plundered and destroyed by the invaders and plunderers. The places which accommodated royal houses and houses of prosperous people bespeak of high quality of architectural magnificence and luxuries of ancients. The two and three storied palatial buildings were decorated with balconies with carvings and designs depicting the perfection of artists and artisans of ancient times. Sweet laughter of beautiful ladies watching processions or presentations still echo in silence of these balconies and niches of the palatial building of Kalinjar fort. The tanks and ponds added to the beauty of the fort and point out the taste of the ancient for 'Jalvihär'. The aesthetic sense found an outlet in images of gods and goddesses and underground cave streams emanating from everfilled water tanks. The fountains sprinkled and mixed water with dry air making it cold breeze during summer. Kalinjar was a 'Giri Durga' built on Kalinjar hill of lofty height and a 'Deva Durga' which was built on mountains region having gods' images
* Eminent art historian/indologist, literateure, Alimedabad.
