Chunar Fort
| Chunar Fort | |
|---|---|
| Part of Chunar City | |
| Mirzapur Uttar Pradesh, India | |
North view of the fort from across the Ganges River.
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 Chunar Fort
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| Coordinates | 25°07′32″N 82°52′29″E / 25.1255°N 82.8747°E |
| Type | Fort |
| Code | CAR |
| Height | 280 feet (85 m) |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Archaeological Survey of India Ministry of Tourism |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built | Eleventh century and improvements in sixteenth century |
| Built by | King Sahadeo in 1029 AD, Sher Khan in 1532, Sher Shah Suri in 1538 and Akbar 1575 AD |
| Materials | Chunar sandstone |
The Chunar Fort (also known as Chandrakanta Chunargarh and Charanadri) is located in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh, in India. Along with Chunar town, situated below the fort, the two are historic places with common history and legends. It is located 14 miles (23 km) south west of Varanasi. The southeastern part of the fort is on the rocky bank of the Ganges River. The fort's history spans from 56 BC and then between Afghan decedent Sher Shah Suri's (1532) rule, the Mughal Empire rule (Humayun, Akbar and many others including Nawab of Awadh) up to 1772, and finally the British Raj up to 1947 till India gained independence.Chunar railway station is on the Mughalsarai-Kanpur section of Howrah-Delhi main line.
Chunar Fort is approached by road from Mirzapur over a distance of 20 miles (32 km) and along the Ganges River by river craft, a 30 miles (48 km) journey. Calcutta is 437 miles (703 km) away and is 14 miles (23 km) south west of Varanasi. The structure is located in the Mirzapur district, 14 miles (23 km) south west of Varanasi, and lies between Varanasi and Mirzapur. The town of the same name is part of the fort's administration.
The fort stands on a rock, a detached part of the Vindhya Range, at an elevation of 280 feet (85 m) above sea level. It was built in a commanding position, high above a meander in the Ganges River, near the Kaimur Hills. The approach to Chunar Hill is marked by a chain of low hills, running parallel to the river on its right bank, which is covered by plantations and bungalows. The fort is located on a rock which rises abruptly from the plain, and encroaches into the river for some distance. The southeastern part of the fort is on the rocky bank by the Ganges River, which is navigable for 50- to 60-ton boats. The batteries in the fort command the river reach. The rocky bluff rising from the river on which the fort has been built raises to a height of 104 feet (32 m). Another 200 feet (61 m) further away, the elevation of the rocky hillock is 280 feet (85 m).
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