Bhimgarh Fort
| Bhimgarh Fort | |
|---|---|
| Part of Jammu | |
| Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, India | |
 Bhimgarh Fort | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Fort |
| Controlled by | Government of Jammu and Kashmir |
| Condition | Ruins |
 | |
| Site history | |
| Built by | Various |
| Materials | Granite Stones and lime mortar |
Bhimgarh Fort, generally known as the Reasi Fort, is near Reasi, a town approximately 64 km northwest of Jammu.[1] The fort is on a hillock approximately 150 metres high. Initially, it was constructed of clay by Raja Bhimdev Rasyal. Later on one of the heirs of Raja Rishipal Rana, reconstructed it using stone. It was used by the royal family members for taking shelter during emergencies. The construction of a new fort at the site was started by Rajput Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu in 1817 and continued till 1841. The construction and consolidation of Bhimgarh fort was further advanced by the advent of General Zorawar Singh. The renovation of the fort was started by Gulab Singh of Jammu and Kashmir in 1817 and continued till 1841.[2] A new entry gate and a stone wall one m wide and 50 m long was built all around, thereby making it less vulnerable to attacks.[3][4]
The main entry gate is made of Baluka stones with Architecture of carving. The front wall has loopholes. This has a statue of the Goddess Mahakali and of God Hanuman.[5]
The fort has a temple, a pond, rooms of different sizes, armoury and treasury. After the death of Maharaja Gulab Singh, his heir Maharaja Ranbir Singh and Maharaja Pratap Singh used Bhimgarh Fort as a treasury and armoury. During Maharaja Hari Singh's rule an English minister ordered that the armoury be destroyed and shifted the treasury to Jammu.
Bhimgar Fort was handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir State Archaeology Department in 1989 on the orders of the state government. In 1990, the fort was renovated by the Vaishno Devi Sthapna Board.[6] The surrounding areas were given a facelift with the construction of gardens and pathways. The fort was then opened to the public. Although the fort has been devastated by earthquakes and lack of maintenance, it stands out as an important landmark in the town.[7]
The inferred deposits of 5.9 million tonnes of Jammu and Kashmir lithium reserves, accounting to the 2023 the Geological Survey of India as located inmate near vicinity of the castle.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Desh Bandhu (1989). Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: tourist-attractions & tourism. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. pp. 102–. ISBN 978-81-7158-014-9. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ^ "Bhimgarh Fort - Reasi Qilla | Built Heritage/Site Detail". nmma.nic.in. National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities, Government of India. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ Bansal, Bobby Singh (1 December 2015). Remnants of the Sikh Empire: Historical Sikh Monuments in India & Pakistan. Hay House, Inc. ISBN 978-93-84544-93-5.
- ^ Charak, Prof Sukhdev Singh (8 September 2016). GENERAL ZORAWAR SINGH. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN 978-81-230-2648-0.
- ^ "Pristine Glory of Jammu: Historical Bhimgarh Fort, Reasi". Statetimes. 6 December 2020.
- ^ Jeratha, Aśoka (2000). Forts and Palaces of the Western Himalaya. Indus Publishing. p. 16. ISBN 978-81-7387-104-7.
- ^ Khajuria, Ravi Krishnan; Thakur, Devinder (9 December 2015). "Bhimgarh Fort cries for care". The Tribune.
- ^ "Geological Survey of India Finds Lithium and Gold Deposits : 51 Mineral Blocks including Lithium and Gold were handed over to State Governments". Press Information Bureau. Government of India. 9 February 2023.
33°04′48″N 74°49′48″E / 33.08000°N 74.83000°E
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