| Lohagarh Fort | |
|---|---|
 Lohagarh Fort, Bharatpur | |
| Type | Historical Landmark |
| Location | Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India |
Lohagarh Fort (or Iron Fort) is situated at Bharatpur in Rajasthan, India. It was built by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1732 on an artificial island and took eight years to complete. It needed large number of manpower and significant amount of wealth to build such impregnable fort, as the name of the fort itself says-- “Lohagarh”, which means, Iron fort(Loha means Iron and Garh means fort).[1][2] The inaccessible Lohagarh fort could withstand repeated attacks of British forces led by Lord Lake during The Siege of Bharatpur in 1805 when they laid siege for over six weeks yet failed in all four attempts to storm the fortress.[3]
Of the two gates in the fort, the one in the north is known as Ashtadhatu (eight metaled) gate while the one facing the south is called Chowburja (four-pillared) gate. Monuments in the fort include are Kishori Mahal, Mahal Khas, and Kothi Khas.
Jawahar Burj was built by Raja Jawahar Singh in 1765 to commemorate his victory over Mughals at Battle of Delhi (1764). Jawahar Burj was also used for the coronation ceremony of the rulers. Fateh Burj was built by Raja Ranjeet Singh in 1805 for the commemoration of his win over the British at the Siege of Bharatpur (1805).[4]
These parts of the Fort are granted the status of State Protected Monuments in Rajasthan – Kamara Khas, Kishori Mahal, Hansarani Mahal, Kachahari Kala, Chaman Bagichi, Hammam & mudwall gates i.e. Mathura gate, Binarain gate, Atal Bandh gate, Anah gate, Kumher gate, Govardhan gate, Neemda gate, Chandpol gate, and bastion near Suraj pol.
Following parts of Lohagarh Fort are recognized as Monuments of National Importance in Rajasthan - Jawahar Burj, Ashtadhatu Gateway, Moat surrounding the Fort wall, Fort walls including Chowburja gate and approach bridges at the Chowburja and Ashtadhatu gates.
