
After two-decade wait, 400-year-old twin forts in Palamau set for facelift
According to PTR Deputy Director, Prajesh Kant Jena, a detailed project report for the conservation of the over 400-year-old forts, built by the Chero dynasty, has been prepared and is awaiting final inspection by agencies under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Inside in deep forests on the banks of the Auranga River around 30 km from Medininagar, the two forts — Purana Quila and Naya Quila — were built at the beginning of the Mughal period by the kings of Chero dynasty. 'All the hurdles, which were coming in the way of its restoration, have been cleared and the stakeholders have already given a go-ahead to the project,' said Jena. Now, they have to find out a proper party or agency which can do justice to this cultural heritage, he added.

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News18
12 hours ago
- News18
This Forgotten Agra Inn Witnessed A Bloody Battle That Changed The Course Of Mughal History
Built during Aurangzeb's reign, the inn's original cells now form parts of multi-storey homes, with most residents claiming their families have lived here for generations On the banks of the Yamuna near Agra lies Sarai Jajau, a forgotten Mughal-era inn that once bore witness to a bloody power struggle following Emperor Aurangzeb's death. On June 20, 1707, it became the battleground for a decisive clash between his sons, shaping the course of the empire's future. Aurangzeb, who had not named a successor, left a will instructing his sons to divide the empire among themselves. However, the ensuing struggle for power led to a violent battle of succession between Muhammad Azam Shah and Muazzam, who later became known as Bahadur Shah I. The battle of Jajau, which is historically significant, resulted in the death of Azam Shah and his three sons. Despite the conflict, Muazzam was crowned on June 19, 1707, a day before the battle, and subsequently took over the throne as Bahadur Shah I. Today, Sarai Jajau remains one of the rare inns in India where people continue to live, preserving its rich history. Sarai Jajau features two grand gates, a mosque with three domes, and a reservoir, which are still in use by the local community. The battle for succession to the Mughal throne was fought at Jajau, which, though an unfamiliar name to many, served as the stage for one of the most decisive confrontations in the empire's history. According to a report by Firstpost, there is no trace today of the major battle that once took place in Jajau. This historical site, located about 30 kilometres from Agra on the highway to Gwalior, may not bear visible signs of the war, but it retains its medieval heritage. Although the highway to Gwalior may appear to be relatively new, it is actually a successor to the old road network that once connected various parts of the Mughal Empire. A remnant of that medieval highway still defines Jajau in 2025. During the Mughal era, caravanserais were built along these routes, rest stops where weary traders and their pack animals could pause, refresh themselves, and continue their journey. Caravanserai Of Its Time Built like a small fort and guarded by a garrison, it offered both security and a measure of comfort to weary travellers. One such caravanserai still stands in Jajau, and surprisingly, the structure has largely survived the test of time. Located near the Utangan River, the Jajau serai is constructed in the traditional style of its kind: square in layout, with entrances on the north and south sides. It is enclosed by high fortified walls and features rooms for travellers to rest. On the western side of the complex stands a mosque, elevated on a high platform, where devotees could pause to offer prayers. Now Home To Dozens Of Families Despite its historical significance, the inn is in a state of disrepair. Only the entrance and a small mosque remain intact, while the rest of the space is now a residential area for dozens of families, mostly farmers. From the inside, the place resembles any typical village in the region, with agricultural equipment beside most homes and cattle tied nearby. Like other caravanserais of its time, Jajau Sarai had rooms in its inner section to accommodate travellers. Originally, the inn had about 30 rooms for travellers, but these have been incorporated into the structures of the current homes, some of which have multiple floors. The Inn Built During Aurangzeb's Reign The inn was constructed during the rule of Emperor Aurangzeb. Today, the original cells have been absorbed into the structures of the houses within the inn, some even extended to multiple floors. Most residents claim their families have lived here for generations. An Arabic inscription on a marble slab dates the inn to 1674 AD, during Aurangzeb's rule. Over the years, especially following Aurangzeb's death, the rural community moved into the inn seeking protection within its walls. Its proximity to Agra likely contributed to its survival through the late 18th century. By the 19th century, as the Mughal rule faded, more people settled in the inn. A Hidden Stepwell In Red Sandstone Lies Nearby Nearby, a three-storey medieval stepwell, built from red sandstone, now lies in a state of neglect. Once a vital structure, it is currently used by local farmers as a storage space. Nearby stands an old Mughal bridge, another forgotten relic of the past. In its time, the bridge was an integral part of the Mughal highway network, allowing travellers to cross the Utangan River. Today, it must be searched for among the overgrowth and debris. A British traveller once described it as a grand structure with 20 stone arches, while another noted the presence of two minarets at either end. The heritage of Jajau is slowly crumbling under the weight of apathy. Though the caravanserai is officially listed as a protected monument, its survival depends on serious, sustained efforts to preserve it for future generations. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Hans India
13 hours ago
- Hans India
Sword bearing Arabic inscription unearthed from Ganjam archives
Berhampur: A war-era inscription from the 17th century has been rediscovered in the heart of Ganjam. A battle-worn 'khanda' (sword) bearing an Arabic inscription has come to light from the archives of Badakhemundi Royal Residence, located on Panitanki Road in Berhampur. The forgotten relic attracted attention when Yubaraj Siddhanta Gangadev brought it to the notice of noted epigraphist Bishnu Mohan Adhikari, who painstakingly deciphered the inscription with the assistance of Arabic scholar Sheikh Imaitullla. The sword contains verses from the Holy Quran (Surah 61:13), inscribed in classical Arabic, which reads: 'Nasrum Minallahi Wa Fathun Qareeb', translated as 'Help from Allah and imminent victory.' This rare artifact is believed to belong to a turbulent chapter in Odisha's history, when the valiant Ganga dynasty of Khallikote, Paralakhemundi and Badakhemundi fought relentless battles against invading powers such as the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda, Hyderabad's Nizams and Mughal forces. As per Bishnu Adhikari, though the sword lacks numerical dating, its linguistic style and religious invocation date it within the era of Islamic military campaigns in the region. Historians recall that the Gajapati Kings Jagannath Narayan Dev and Narahari Narayan Dev had vanquished Malik Khan, a Muslim commander, and issued inscribed commemorations of their victory. The newly rediscovered inscription parallels the 1679 Paralakhemundi epigraph, suggesting it may have been crafted in the aftermath of a significant military triumph by the Ganga warriors over foreign aggressors. Anantarama Kar Koundinya, a leading authority on the subject, commended the efforts of Bishnu Adhikari and expressed delight at the discovery. Kar noted that Ganjam region, particularly Ichhapur and Chikakole, was historically a battleground where the Ganga rulers frequently repelled Muslim invasions. The Badakhemundi Raja Ananta Padmanabha Dev's valiant confrontations with Sultanate forces find echoes in literary references by Basudev Rath Somayaji. Historically, the Khemundis, including Parlakhemundi, Badakhemundi and Sanakhemundi, emerged from the same Ganga lineage, and this rediscovery reinforces their shared legacy of martial resistance. The sword's inscription is now seen as a symbolic artifact of not only military confrontation but also of diplomatic victories, where truce and cessation of hostilities were marked by ceremonial exchanges -- perhaps including the inscription of sacred verses. Bishnu Adhikari further connects this discovery with chronicled histories such as 'The History of Ganga' by Padmasree Satyanarayan Rajguru, and the epigraphic contributions of Laxminarayan Harichandan Jagadev, who recorded multiple war-time inscriptions of the period. Following the decoding of the script, the Badakhemundi royal family expressed elation, and the local population of the Digapahandi region has celebrated the find as a source of pride and cultural resurgence. The discovery not only enriches the heritage of Ganjam but also opens new corridors of research into Odisha's resistance narratives during medieval Islamic expansion. This inscription, now revered as a 'silent testament of valour and divine faith', reanimates a bygone era when steel and spirit defended sovereignty.


New Indian Express
14 hours ago
- New Indian Express
After two-decade wait, 400-year-old twin forts in Palamau set for facelift
RANCHI: The long-pending restoration of the historic twin forts located inside the Palamu Tiger Reserve has finally received a government go-ahead, ending an over two-decade wait marked by bureaucratic delays and forest clearance issues. According to PTR Deputy Director, Prajesh Kant Jena, a detailed project report for the conservation of the over 400-year-old forts, built by the Chero dynasty, has been prepared and is awaiting final inspection by agencies under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Inside in deep forests on the banks of the Auranga River around 30 km from Medininagar, the two forts — Purana Quila and Naya Quila — were built at the beginning of the Mughal period by the kings of Chero dynasty. 'All the hurdles, which were coming in the way of its restoration, have been cleared and the stakeholders have already given a go-ahead to the project,' said Jena. Now, they have to find out a proper party or agency which can do justice to this cultural heritage, he added.