Chunar Fort is also known as Chandrakanta Chunargarh and Charanadri. It stands in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh. It is built on an isolated spur of the Vindhya Range 85 meters above sea level and overlooks a strategic bend of the Ganges near the Kaimur Hills. It is traditionally believed to be established by Maharaja Vikramaditya of Ujjain in the 11th century. Its occupation is traced back to 56 BC. Over centuries, it passed through the hands of Sher Shah Suri, the Mughals, the Nawabs of Awadh, Kashi rulers and finally the British until 1947.
Chunar Fort Features
The major highlighting features of the Chunar Fort has been listed below:
- Strategic Location: Built on a steep rocky bluff projecting into the Ganges, the fort commands river navigation for 50 to 60 ton boats. The hill rises sharply 32 meters from the river and further to 85 meters, making direct assault difficult and allowing artillery batteries to dominate the river channel.
- Political Control Struggles: Sher Shah Suri secured it in 1532 through strategic alliances. Humayun besieged it for four months. Akbar captured it in 1575 and built the west gate in 1586. It later shifted between Nawab of Awadh, Kashi Naresh and British control until Independence in 1947.
- Architecture: Spread roughly 690 meters north to south with ramparts extending 1,690 meters, the fort used local sandstone from Mauryan era quarries. It contains a citadel with cannon placements, a 15 foot diameter deep well, underground dungeons and tiered defensive walls with 10 to 20 foot high towers.
- Religious Associations: Linked to King Bali and the name Charanadri, it is associated with Vikramaditya and Bharthari. Sonwa Mandap, built in 1538 with 28 pillars, includes a deep 61 meter well connected to the Ganges, reinforcing its sacred and cultural dimension.
- Colonial Background: It functioned as an artillery depot, prison and refuge during 1857. Rani Jind Kaur was imprisoned here in 1849 before escaping to Kathmandu.Â
- Recent Development: Today, it is being developed as a ₹150 crore PPP based 100 room heritage hotel to boost river tourism and regional economy.
Also Read: Amagarh Fort
Chunar Fort FAQs
Q1: Where is Chunar Fort located?
Ans: Chunar Fort is located in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh, about 34 km from Mirzapur and 23 km southwest of Varanasi, on the bank of the Ganges River.
Q2: Who captured Chunar Fort in 1532?
Ans: Sher Shah Suri took control of Chunar Fort in 1532 and strengthened his political position in North India from this strategic base.
Q3: Why was Chunar Fort strategically important?
Ans: The fort overlooks a key bend of the Ganges River and controlled river navigation and major land routes toward eastern India.
Q4: Which Mughal emperor built the west gate of the fort?
Ans: Emperor Akbar captured the fort in 1575 and constructed the west gate in 1586, as marked by an inscription.
Q5: What is the present development plan for Chunar Fort?
Ans: The Uttar Pradesh government plans to convert it into a ₹150 crore heritage hotel under a Public Private Partnership model to promote tourism.
