Palamu Fort

Palamu Forts
Part of Palamu Fort
Location	Daltonganj, Jharkhand, India
Architect	Jahangir
Type	Cultural
State Party	India

The Palamu Forts are two ruined forts located around 20 kilometres (12 mi) south east of the city of Daltonganj in the Indian state of Jharkhand.The old fort in the plains, which existed even before the Chero dynasty, was built by the King of Rakshel Rajput Dynasty. These are two large forts located deep in the forests of Aurangabad on Sher Shah Suri path near Daltonganj. The original fort in the plains and the other on an adjoining hill are attributed to the Vanvasi kings of a Chero dynasty. The fort in the plains had defences on three sides and three main gates. The New fort was constructed by Raja Medini Ray. The architecture is Islamic in style, which reflects Daud Khan’s conquest.

The Palamu Forts are two ruined forts located around south east of the city of Daltonganj in the Indian state of Jharkhand. These are large forts located deep in the forests of Aurangabad on Sher Shah Suri path near Daltonganj The first fort (old fort) is in the plains and the second fort (new fort)is in an adjoining hill, and both overlook the meandering Auranga River (also known as Ornaga River ) in Palamau. The river looks like jagged teeth due to extensive rock exposures in the bed of the river which may perhaps be the source of the name 'Palamau', meaning the "place of the fanged river." The forts are in a densely forested area of the Betla National Park. The forts are close to each other and lie about 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Daltonganj.

The old fort in the plains, which existed even before the Chiro dynasty, was built by the King of Rakshel. However, it was during the reign of King Medini Ray (1662–1674) (also spelled Medini Rai), who ruled for thirteen years from 1662 to 1674 from Medininagar in Palamau. The old fort was rebuilt into a defensive structure. Ray was a Chero tribal king. His rule extended to areas in South Gaya and Hazaribagh and Surguja. He attacked Doisa now known as Navaratragarh (33 miles (53 km) from Ranchi) and defeated the Maharaja of Chhotanagpur. With war bounty he constructed the lower fort close to Satbarwa, and this fort became famous in the history of the district.