Rohtasgarh
| Rohtas Fort | |
|---|---|
| Part of Bihar | |
| Rohtas Bihar, India | |
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 Rohtas Fort
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| Coordinates | 24.6233337,83.9155484 |
| Type | Fort |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Government of Bihar |
| Condition | Restored |
| Site history | |
| Built | 7th century |
| Built by | King Harishchandra, Sher Shah Suri |
| Materials | Granite Stones and lime mortar |
The Rohtasgarh Fort or Rohtas Fort is one of the most ancient forts of India located in a small town of Rohtas in Bihar. The culture of the Sone Valley is best symbolized by the Rohtas Fort which is a testimony of strength and power. The majestic fort lies in utter state of ruins reminiscent of its great past, frequented few times by the naxalites and the police patrol parties. Proximity to the naxalite affected areas has rendered the fort quiet inaccessible in recent times.
Rohtasgarh is situated on the upper course of the river Son, 24° 57′ N, 84° 2′E. It takes around two hours from Sasaram to reach the foot of the hill over which is the Rohtas fort.It can be reached easily from (Dehri on sone) town. Dehri on sone town has very good road network through which one can easily reach Rohtasfort via Rasoolpur. The fort is situated at about 1500 feet above sea level. The 2000 odd limestone steps were probably meant for elephants. For the visitor they are exhausting climb of an hour and a half. At the end of the climb, one reaches the boundary wall of the fort. A dilapidated gate with a cupola can be seen there, which is the first of many gates provided for well-guarded entrances to the fort. From here one has to walk another mile or so before the ruins of Rohtas can be seen.
A 1223 CE (1279 VS) inscription suggests that Rohtasgarh was in possession of one Shri Pratapa. The inscription states that he defeated a "Yavana" army; the "Yavana" here probably refers to a Muslim general.F. Kielhorn identified Shri Pratapa (Śrī-Pratāpa) as a member of the Khayaravala dynasty, whose inscriptions have been found at other locations in the Rohtas district. The members of this dynasty ruled the Japila territory as feudatories, possibly that of the Gahadavalas. According to historian Roma Niyogi, the Khayaravalas are probably represented by the modern Kharwars.
The Hindu kings of Rohtas constructed a road through the jungle leading from the foothill to the plateau, did the fortifications on the jungle roads and the four gates on the four ghats. The main fortifications at the Raja Ghat and the Katauthiya Ghat can still be seen. Except from the matrix for making seals belonging to the 7th century AD king Sasanka, all other artifacts are from the time of Sher Shah Suri and onwards.
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