Why in News?
Chunar Fort, located in Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh, has been in recent news due to the Uttar Pradesh government's plans to develop it as Purvanchal's first heritage hotel, with restoration work expected to complete in about two years.
Key Information
- Location: Situated in the Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh, on a rocky bluff of the Vindhya Range overlooking a strategic bend in the Ganges River.
- Strategic Importance: Historically known as the "Gateway to the East," controlling the fort meant controlling the major land and river routes to Bihar and Bengal.
- Legendary Origins:
- Linked to King Bali and Lord Vishnu’s Vamana avatar.
- Said to be built by Maharaja Vikramaditya of Ujjain for his hermit brother, Bharthari.
- Historical Timeline:
- 1532: Captured by Sher Shah Suri, who used it as a primary base to challenge the Mughals.
- 1538: Besieged by Mughal Emperor Humayun for four months.
- 1575: Annexed by Emperor Akbar, who built the West Gate in 1586.
- 1772–1947: Controlled by the British Raj; served as a garrison, artillery depot, and a high-security prison.
- Major Attractions:
- Sonwa Mandap: A 28-pillar open pavilion dating to 1538, used by Princess Sonwa.
- Bhartrihari Samadhi: A revered shrine and spiritual retreat for practitioners of the Nath tradition.
- Warren Hastings’ Bungalow: A British-era mansion used by the first Governor-General of India.
- Chunar Stone: The fort is made of the same buff-coloured sandstone used to carve the Ashokan Pillars at Sarnath.
- Literary & Cinematic Connection:
- The setting for the famous 19th-century fantasy novel Chandrakanta by Devaki Nandan Khatri.
- Featured in modern productions like Gangs of Wasseypur and the series Mirzapur.
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