Salimgarh Fort, History, Origin, Location, Significance, Features

Salimgarh Fort is an important historical fort located in Delhi. It stands near the Red Fort and forms a part of the rich heritage of the city. The fort reflects the political and military history of medieval India and later periods. Today, it remains a protected monument and an important symbol of Delhi’s past.

Salimgarh Fort

Salimgarh Fort acts as a defensive fort, a Mughal prison, a British military camp and later became associated with the Indian National Army. Its history reflects different phases of Indian history, which are discussed below.

Salimgarh Fort Establishment

• Salimgarh Fort was built in 1546 CE by Salim Shah Suri, who was the son of Sher Shah Suri. The main purpose of building the fort was to strengthen the defence of his kingdom against possible attacks.
• Earlier, in 1540 CE, Sher Shah Suri had defeated the Mughal emperor Humayun and established the Sur dynasty in Delhi. This temporarily ended Mughal rule in North India.
• The fort was strategically located between the Yamuna River on one side and the Aravalli hills on the other. This natural setting made it easier to defend.
• However, Salim Shah Suri died in 1555 CE before the fort was fully completed. During his rule, only the outer walls and a mosque inside the fort were constructed.

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Salimgarh Fort Architectural Features

• The imposing structure of Salimgarh Fort is triangular  and includes rubble brick walls.
• It was fortified with circular bastions.
• An arched bridge which connects it to the Red Fort was built during the reign of Bahadur Shah Zafar.
• The main entrance of the fort is coated in red sandstone, which is popularly known as Bahadur Shah Gate.

Salimgarh Fort under Mughal Rule

• The Sur dynasty was not able to control Salimgarh Fort for a long period. In 1555 CE, Mughal emperor Humayun returned to India after spending nearly 15 years in exile in Persia. He defeated Sikander Shah Suri, the last Sur ruler and restored Mughal rule in Delhi.
• After regaining power, Humayun took control of Salimgarh Fort and renamed it Nurgarh. During the reign of Akbar, the fort was granted as a jagir (land assignment) to a Mughal noble, Shaikh Farid Bukhari.
• Later, the fort became important during the time of Shah Jahan. When he shifted the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi and established the new city of Shahjahanabad, the importance of Salimgarh increased. 
• Shah Jahan built his grand palace-fort, known as the Qila-e-Mubarak (Red Fort), near Salimgarh Fort, which further enhanced its significance.

Conversion of Salimgarh Fort into a Prison

• During the rule of Aurangzeb, Salimgarh Fort was turned into a prison. From this period onwards, the fort became mainly known as a place of imprisonment rather than a royal residence.
• Several important historical figures were confined here. Aurangzeb imprisoned his younger brother Murad Baksh in this fort. 
• Later, Murad Baksh was shifted to Gwalior Fort, where he was executed. Aurangzeb’s daughter, Zebunissa, was also kept in Salimgarh Fort and spent the last 21 years of her life in captivity.
• Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan, was defeated by Aurangzeb in 1659 CE and imprisoned in this fort along with his son, Sipihir Shikoh, who was later executed.
• In the early 18th century, Mughal emperor Jahandar Shah was also briefly held here. It is also believed that Shah Alam II was imprisoned in Salimgarh after being blinded by Ghulam Qadir Rohilla, an Afghan chief. Later he was rescued by the Maratha leader Mahadji Scindia.
• Thus, during the Mughal period, Salimgarh Fort became an important site associated with political conflicts and royal imprisonments.

Role of Salimgarh Fort in the Revolt of 1857

• In 1857, Salimgarh Fort became connected with the First War of Indian Independence. During this revolt, the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, is believed to have used the fort as one of his important centres.
• The rebel soldiers and leaders gathered at Salimgarh Fort to plan their resistance against British rule. They declared Bahadur Shah Zafar as the symbolic leader of the uprising and aimed to restore Indian rule.
• It is said that the emperor watched the fighting between the rebels and the British from the fort. However, the British forces soon suppressed the revolt and captured the fort. After taking control, they converted it into a military camp and continued to use it as a prison.

Imprisonment of INA Soldiers at Salimgarh Fort

• By the 1940s, India’s freedom movement had become very strong. During the Second World War, the Provisional Government of Free India was formed under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, along with the Indian National Army (INA), also known as Azad Hind Fauj. The INA fought against the British Indian Army and its allies.
• However, the INA was defeated in 1945. After this, many INA soldiers were arrested by the British and kept as prisoners in Salimgarh Fort. They were subjected to harsh treatment and torture.
• Due to this, Salimgarh Fort became closely associated with the final phase of India’s freedom struggle. The famous INA trials were later conducted at the Red Fort, which created strong public support for the freedom movement.

Salimgarh Fort as a Memorial of Freedom

• In 1995, due to its strong connection with the Indian National Army (INA), Salimgarh Fort was converted into a memorial dedicated to Indian freedom fighters. It was renamed “Swatantrata Senani Smarak”. In this way, a place once known for imprisonment was transformed into a symbol of India’s struggle for independence.
• The memorial displayed important items related to the freedom movement. These included the uniform of Colonel Prem Kumar, the riding boots and coat buttons of Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon and photographs of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
• Today, the fort stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made by national heroes. Along with the Red Fort Complex, Salimgarh Fort is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It represents both the painful history of captivity and the ultimate achievement of India’s independence.