Forts and Palaces of the Western Himalaya
Before the growth of civilization early settlers tried to fortify their surroundings to secure themselves from the attacks of other clans. Later, the concept of forts and castles developed which provided the facility of storage of water, foodstuffs and arms etc. to suffice the needs of the inmates for sufficient time, especially during emergent situations. At the time of external attacks these served as formidable structures. The power of the monarchs of the erstwhile states always depended upon thes citadels, the seats of their power. Thus the history of these forts reflected on the history of their states. Kangra fort, Nurpur, Taragarh, Mau fort, Haripur fort, Jammu fort, Bandralta, etc. were some of the important forts situated on both sides of the Ravi and were the seats of power of their respective states. The lords of these forts were the undisputed lords of their erstwhile states.
After independence the role of these forts and fortresses was reduced to naught; they were left deserted with the result most of them have been reduced to rubble. They were the symbols of our heritage and source of history, their columns echoed the struggle of races, battling for existence and cries of the folk crushed under the load of the whims of the chieftains holding the reins of these formidable forts and palaces.
The author has worked on these fast decaying forts and palaces and has collected data from both sides of the Ravi, documented them with still photography and collected several stories and legends about them.
It is hoped the study will be of value to the research scholars working in this field and stimulate them to do further research in this context.
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