Off The Beaten Track 7 Forts In India For Your 2023 Bucket List

Red Fort, Golkonda, Gwalior, Chittorgarh....You have probably been there and done that India's well-known forts. But have you been to (or heard of) any of these Gulburga Fort,&nbspKarnataka Located on a plateau, the ruins of this sprawling fort speak volumes about its former architectural splendour. It is said an existing fort was strengthened and enlarged to give its present shape by Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah, who founded the Bahmani dynasty in the 14th century. Visit early in the day of you want to see the entire fort because it is quite a walk. An example of Indo-Persian architecture, you will find looming bastions, cannons, rooms and corridors with pillars and arches, etc.Gagron Fort, RajasthanSurrounded by the Kali Sindh and Ahu rivers on all three sides, the Gagron fort is regarded as Rajasthan&rsquos only water fort. The imposing structure has also found its way to UNESCO&rsquos list of World Heritage Sites for its sheer beauty and stunning architecture. Also known as Jaladurg, the fort is famed for its natural beauty as much as for the fascinating tales witnessed here centuries ago. While surrounded by the tranquil river on all three sides, the fourth side is surrounded by a moat&ndashtherefore, also earning the status of a hill fort. Janjira Fort, MaharashtraThe fort sprawled across a sheet of grey looks every bit the invincible mass that held out against invaders. Believed to have been completed in the 17th century by Sidi Sirul Khan (Mughal governor from 1618-1620), the fort is spread across 22 acres on the Arabian Sea. When the Kallal Bangdi boomed, they say the fort reverberated for up to a week. The largest of the three surviving cannons, Kallal Bangdi is over18 ft long and of immense weight. Shivaji&rsquos men apparently made several attempts to take over the fort between 1661 and 1670. They never managed it. Today, all it takes is a nominal fee for a person to get into Janjira.Bidar Fort, KarnatakaTo begin with, this fort has over 30 monuments inside its walls. And it also has seven gates stretching from east to west and thirty-seven bastions.&nbspLocated at the edge of the Bidar plateau, it was built for Sultan Alla-Ud Din Bahman when he shifted his capital from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1427. A rhombus-shaped layout, the fort is made of red laterite stone and includes pavilions, and mosques, amongst other structures. Sisupalgarh Fort, OdishaSituated on the outskirts of the city, this fort is a reminder of Odisha's glorious past. It is reminiscent of a lost, ancient urban city near Bhubaneswar.&nbspVarious excavations have taken place here in different phases, revealing architectural patterns and artefacts. One of the most striking features are the pillars which are visible from a distance. Look carefully, and you can see various patterns and designs, including carvings, spread across most of the ruins. Karnala Fort, MaharashtraThis fort is situated on a hilltop and overlooks the connection between the Konkan coast and interiors of Maharashtra. It is comfortably nestled in the Karnala bird sanctuary, close to Panvel in Raigad district. A bonusis the trek through lush green forests that takes you the fort. It is not for the faint-hearted though. However, what awaits at the end is one helluva magnificent view.Dhanidhar Fort, RajouriProviding commanding views of the small town of Rajouri in Jammu, the Dhanidhar Fort is situated on a hillock. It is believed to be constructed by the Governor of Rajouri, Mian Hathu, in the mid-19th century. Apart from defence being the objective, the fort was also used to store food grains obtained under the revenue of the Dogra kingdom. The construction material used in the fort belonged to debris that came from the destruction of of the buildings of the Jaral Rajas. The fort now provides a breathtaking views of of the town of Rajouri.RELATED Four&nbspColonial Forts In Mumbai