Forts of India (2010 - 2011)

Junagarh Fort is in the city of Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. The fort was originally called Chintamani and was renamed Junagarh or "Old Fort" in the early 20th century when the ruling family moved to Lalgarh Palace outside the fort limits.

The Bijapur Fort (Vijapur kote) is located in the Bijapur city in Bijapur District of the Indian state of Karnataka. The rich history of the fort, the citadel, and other structures is subsumed in the history of Bijapur city, which was established in the 10th–11th centuries by the Kalyani Chalukyas. The city came under the influence of the Khalji Sultanate in Delhi by the late 13th century. In 1347, the area was conquered by the Bahmani Sultanate of Gulbarga.

Bidar Fort stands tall in the city of Bidar in Karnataka. The fort, the city and the district are all affixed with the name Bidar. Sultan Alla-Ud Din Bahman of the Bahmanid Dynasty shifted his capital from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1427 and built his fort along with a number of Islamic monuments. People come to visit this place to witness a glimpse of the mighty South Indian dynasties that ruled over Deccan. Now a deserted place, it still boasts of its intimidating bastions, fortifications, moating and the colourful royal palaces and museums which the visitors can witness to have a taste of the past.

Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh is an important specimen of the Mughal dynasty. The fort in the site is a blend of Mughal and Persian architecture. Fatehpur Sikri is considered as one of the architectural legacies of Emperor Akbar. It consists of beautiful palaces, halls, and mosques.

The Orchha Fort is located in the Orchha town in Madhya Pradesh. It houses a large number of ancient monuments consisting of the fort, palaces, temple and other edifices. The fort and other structures within it were built by the Bundela Rajputs starting from early 16th century by King Rudra Pratap Singh of the Orchha State and others who followed him.

The Palakkad Fort is an old fort situated in Kerala state, southern India. It was recaptured and rebuilt grandly by Sultan Hyder Ali in 1766 ACE and remains one of the best preserved forts in Kerala.

The Gingee Fort is located in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. It is known as the "Troy of the East" by the British, whereas locals have given the fort some notable names such as Senji, Chenji, Jinji or Senchi Fort. Owing to its enormous structure the fort is fortified to the extent that Shivaji, the Maratha king, named it as the "most impregnable fortress in India". As you reach the fort, you realise that it has been located at the most strategic location which made it difficult for the enemies to enter its premise. The fort indeed is a result of genius minds.

The Ranthambore Fort in Rajasthan lies within the Ranthambore National Park. The park once used to be the hunting grounds of the Maharajahs of Jaipur until the time of India's Independence. It is a formidable fort having been a focal point of the historical developments of Rajasthan. The fort was held by the Chahamanas (Chauhans) until the 13th century, when the Delhi Sultanate captured it. In 2013, at the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee, Ranthambore Fort, along with 5 other forts of Rajasthan, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the group 'Hill Forts of Rajasthan'.

Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajasthan is the second most important fort of the state after Chittorgarh. Located at a distance of 64 kms from Udaipur in Rajasmand district, Kumbhalgarh Fort is easily accessible from the city of Udaipur. This unconquerable fortress is secured under the kind protection of the Aravali ranges. Kumbhalgarh Fort was built by Maharana Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. The fort derived its name from the same factor.

Janjira Fort is a very famous fort and tourist place located on an island off of the coastal village of Murud, 55 km from Alibag in Maharashtra. owering up from a massive rock amidst the stretching azure of the Arabian Sea, this fort has stood the test of time as well as the test of resilience in the past. This fort is a must visit if you are travelling along the Konkan coast in Maharashtra.

Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan is believed to be one of the very few "living forts" in the world (such as Carcassonne, France), as nearly one fourth of the old city's population still resides within the fort. For the better part of its 800-year history, the fort was the city of Jaisalmer. The first settlements outside the fort walls, to accommodate the growing population of Jaisalmer, are said to have come up in the 17th century.

Agra Fort in Uttar Pradesh was built in the year 1573 under the reign of Akbar – one of the greatest Mughal Emperors. It took more than 4000 workers and eight years of hardship to complete the fort. Knowing the significance of its location, Akbar built the fort to make it the main residence of the Mughals.

Datia Fort in Madhya Pradesh is also known as Bir Singh Palace or Bir Singh Dev Palace. The speciality of this palace is that it is of 7 floors. However, neither member from the royal family did ever live here

The city of Mandu is in Madhya Pradesh. Mandu was a key fort at least 1,500 years ago and is also the home of the famous Jahaz Mahal. Perched atop a 20 square km plateau, the ruined city is not only endowed with beautiful natural scenery, but also occupies a strategically important location in the landscape.

Jhansi Fort or Jhansi ka Kila is situated on a large hilltop called Bangira, in Uttar Pradesh, Northern India. It served as a stronghold of the Chandela Kings in Balwant Nagar from the 11th through the 17th century.

Gwalior Fort is a hill fort near Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, central India. The fort has existed at least since the 10th century, and the inscriptions and monuments found within what is now the fort campus indicate that it may have existed as early as the beginning of the 6th century.

Purana Quila is located in Delhi. Purana Quila, Urdu for Old Fort also formerly called Shergarh & Sher Fort is one of the oldest forts in Delhi, India. The site has been continuously inhabited for 2,500 years and remains dating from the pre-Mauryan period have been found.

Kalinjar is located in Uttar Pradesh state, near the temple-city and World Heritage Site of Khajuraho. Kalinjar is a fortress-city in Bundelkhand. The fortress is strategically located on an isolated rocky hill at the end the Vindhya Range, at an elevation of 1,203 feet (367 m) and overlooks the plains of Bundelkhand. It served several of Bundelkhand's ruling dynasties, including the Chandela dynasty of Rajputs in the 10th century, and the Solankis of Rewa under Akabar.

Patiala Fort Qila Mubarak is in Punjab is an ancient fortress of Sikh architecture. Quila Mubarak was first built as a 'Kachigarhi' (Mud fortress) by Sidhu Jat ruler Baba Ala Singh in 1763, who was the founder of the Patiala dynasty. Later, it was reconstructed in baked bricks.

Chanderi Fort located at Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh state in India is situated at a distance of 127 km from Shivpuri and 37 km from Lalitpur and about 45 km from Esagarh and 38 km from Mungoali It is located on a hill southwest of the Betwa River.

Mehrangarh, located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, is one of the largest forts in India. Built in around 1459 by Rao Jodha, the fort is situated 410 feet above the city and is enclosed by imposing thick walls. Inside its boundaries there are several palaces known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards.

A massive fort in Bundi is built at a height of 500 meters on a hill by Rao Singh Bar in the 13th century. Built in 1354 AD, the Taragarh Fort is one of the most impressive forts in Rajasthan. Perched on a highly wooded hill is a wonderful fort with huge water tanks that once delivered water to the palace. This large water tanks in the fort provided the palace the water especially during the time of wars.

The Red Fort is a historic fort in the city of Delhi in India, which served as the main residence of the Mughal Emperors. Every year on the Independence day of India, the Prime Minister hoists the Indian "tricolour flag" at the main gate of the fort and delivers a nationally broadcast speech from its ramparts.