The ruins of historic forts are proof of the glorious history of the kings who resided in them, and the brilliant craftsmanship of those who built them. India, being the home of rich history and many mighty kings, has countless forts. Some have become popular tourist attractions, while others remain in ruins. However, the beauty of these forts is too enchanting to be hidden. Therefore, here we have a list of the top 10 unexplored forts in India that you must check out. 

Daulatabad Fort, Maharashtra

Daulatabad Fort was built by the first Yadava King, Bhillama in 1187, and was initially called Devgiri. The fort was later renamed Daulatabad as Muhamed-Bin Tughluq conquered it in the 14th century. The fort is a brilliant construction that has no separate exits which caused confusion and helped in trapping enemies. False gates would lure enemies and lead them to crocodile-infested waters. 

Today, the ruins of the mighty fort are in Aurangabad on an isolated hill. The Chini Mahal, Chand Minar, and Baradari are some iconic structures within.

Bidar Fort, Karnataka

Bidar Fort was built by Ahmed Shah Wali Bahmani in 1428. Later, the Bijapur Sultanate was successful in capturing it in 1619 and then by Aurangazeb in 1657. The fort is on the edge of a plateau, facing the Bindar city. It has seven gates with 37 bastions on the walls.

Main attractions within the fort include Rangin Mahal, Takht Mahal, Jami Masjid and Sola Khamba Masjid.

Narwar Fort, Madhya Pradesh

Narwar Fort was built in traditional Rajputana style by the Kachwaha clan in the 10th century. The fort was occupied by other clans in Madhya Pradesh before falling to the Mughals in the 19th century, by the Scindia (Maratha) dynasty soon after.

Today, the dilapidated Narwar Fort is an establishment of Shivpuri of Madhya Pradesh, around 122 kilometers from Gwalior.

Warangal Fort, Telangana

The Warangal fortress surely falls under some of the unexplored places in India. It was built was the Kakatiya Dynasty in the 13th century during the reign of King Ganapatideva. The fort once had four ornamental gates forming the entrance to the great Shiva temple, before being destroyed by invaders.  

The fort is located in the Warangal district of Telangana where you can still catch sight of impressive stone gateways carved out of single rock, carvings of Lord Vishnu, and a temple of Mother Earth.

 Qila Mubarak, Punjab

Qila Mubarak surely had to be on the list of top 10 unexplored forts in India, as it is one of the oldest forts built by Sindhu Jat ruler Bala Ala Singh, the founder of the Patiala dynasty. It was initially named Kachigarhi. The fort has two Gurudwaras and the prison built for Razia Sultana, where she was incarcerated by Malik Altunia.

Today, the fort stands on the outskirts of Bhatinda in Punjab. 

Chiktan Fort, Ladakh

The Chiktan Fort is located in Kargil, Ladakh. The Balti craftsmen were the deviser of this fort in the 16th century and were nearly 9 stories high. The fortress was once considered an architectural masterpiece. The castle was a symbol of unity, strength, and brotherhood as its kings fought many attacks bravely before abandoning it in the 19th century.

Further, only ruins of this mighty fort are visible today, which is yet a picturesque site to see the castle with snow-clad mountains in the background. 

Gawilghar, Maharashtra 

Gawlighar is so old that its date of establishment is yet a mystery. The Persian historian, Firishta suggests that the fort exists since the1425, as it has several inscriptions in Persian. Besides, the fort has seven grand gates and a mosque with a square canopy and intricate stonework. 

The ruins of the fort in the Chikhaldara region of Maharashtra make for a pristine sight during the monsoon. 

 Bekal Fort, Kerala

The Bekal Fort by Shivappa Nayaka in 1650 is the largest fort in Kerala. The fort originates on the edges of the sea making it look like it emerged from it. In fact, the fort is a zigzag entrance construction that curates a defense strategy.

It offers a scenic view of the sea and the beach, making it a must-visit when you are looking for offbeat places to visit in India.   

Taragarh Fort, Rajasthan 

The construction of this fort dates back to the 8th century by Ajaypal Chauhan. It has three entrances and the shrine is a dedication to Miran Saheb ki Dargah, who did not live to see the sunlight after the Rajput attack of 1202. The fort provides a majestic view of the mountains surrounding it, even in the ruins. This being one of the amazing unexplored forts of India is located in Ajmer, Rajasthan.

Kalinjar Fort, Uttar Pradesh

Several dynasties of Uttar Pradesh including the Guptas, Marathas, the Vardhana Dynasty, Chandelas, Solankis, and Mughals were the rulers of the Kalinjar fort. Moreover, the history of the fort is replete with countless battles and invasions, leading to the falling of the fort with time.

However, today the rubbles of the fort still stand tall giving a majestic view.  

Here are more top 10 unexplored gems of India by Chalk India: https://indiachalk.com/blog/top-10-unexplored-cultural-places-in-india/

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