As per our day itinerary of Ajmer from Dhai din Jhopra we again came back to Dargah on foot (1.5 KM) and caught auto to drop us at Akbar Fort. By this time it was already 4 PM. We reached Akbar fort in 5 minutes from Dargah. Luckily it was open. We paid entry fee Rs.20.
Though this fort looks small yet it holds some landmark events of history. Here Akbar and Jahangir used to visit frequently. Also this is the fort where the plot of Haldighati fight was planned by Akbar.
This fort proved to be entry hole for British into India. Sir Thomas Roe, English Trading diplomat was trying for trading permit for East India company for 4 years.
Roe and Jahangir became drinking partners in evenings in this Akbar fort. It is alleged that Roe and Jahangir developed friendship and intimate relation during these meetings. Here Jahangir issued a “farmaan- Order” in this fort to allow trading to British company. And this paved way to colonization of India.
This fort is also historical because here only in Deewan-e-khas building the full planning of Haldi Ghati was planned by Akbar.
Location – This fort is located in Ajmer, an ancient city of state Rajasthan in India. In summer the temperature may go as high as 44°C and winter may be very harsh. It is well connected by road and trains to entire India. Kishangarh airport is 25 KM from here. Jaipur is 135 KM from Ajmer.
Where to stay
We stayed in Hotel Khadim of Rajasthan State Tourism (RTDC). It is an average hotel with big compound with peacocks and average but spacious restaurant. It is in heart of city. I recommend to stay here.
Hotel booking – https://rtdc.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in/client/hotellist.aspx
About fort
Built in 1570 by Mughal emperor Akbar. The eminent archaeologist Sir John Marshall, Director general of Archaeology in India, formulated the necessity of a museum in Ajmer and was opened in 1908.
The main gate is called Jahangir gate. Entering it we will find all round rooms and halls which are converted to museum.
Akbar and Jahangir regularly visited Dargah and city of Ajmer and they used to stay in this fort. The reason of Akbar visits might be due to religious as visit to Moinuddin Chishti tomb. It is said that once Jodha Bai and Akbar walked in 1566 to this place barefoot in hope of having child born to them.
At fall of Mughal empire Marathas captured this fort and handed over to British which they started using as district office and in 1908 it was converted to museum.
This museum has collection of ancient coins, Sculptures of stone and metal, inscriptions, armory and arms and paintings are displayed here in museum. 5000 year old some artifacts are prime attraction. Some were brought from Harappa, Mohan Jodaro and Kalibangan. In this some are original and few are replica.
These inscriptions engraved in stone or other durable materials or etched in metals are important source of history from 5th century BC. They help us to know important events, trace royal genealogy or earlier political structure, legal codes and religious practices.
Important stone and metal inscriptions are displayed in the gallery of this fort which belong from 3rd century BC to late medieval period. Inscriptions of Parmar rulers, Pratihar ruler Baruka. there are also few inscriptions of Sanskrit drama ‘Lalit Vigrha raja’ of 12th century, and ‘Harakeli’ drama by Chauhan rulers period.
After seeing this fort we headed for Anna Sagar Lake to spend evening there. I saw an interesting historical building called Badshahi haveli. This building was built by Akbar in 1507 and has pillared hall with rooms in all four corners. This building was used by one of amirs of Akbar as residence. Now it is protected monuments. This haveli is about 3 KM from Dargah.
Epilogue
Akbar Fort, Ajmer, one of least known forts, it is the fort where Akbar and Jahangir visited frequently, Jodha Bai and Akbar walked barefoot to visit in 1566 Moinuddin Chishti tomb in want to son, ‘Firmaan’ was issued to allow East India company to do business which paved way to colonization and full plot of Haldighati was planned here.
Source of information – Archaeological Survey Of India display boards in the fort.
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