Qila - Forts Of Odisha #AToZChallenge

Odisha has some impressive forts with great historical significance that reflect glory and architectural grandeur. In Odia language, the word 'Gada' means 'Fort'.

Barabati Fort

Barabati Fort is located in Cuttack on the banks of the Mahanadi River. In the past, Cuttack was the capital of Odisha. Built by the Ganga dynasty in the 14th Century, Barabati Fort is the most famous fort of Odisha.  King Narnupa Kesri built a stone-like structure around the river to save it from the flood. King Anangbhima Dev III developed the Barabati fort. Many rulers rebuilt the fort.

Visitors can see the ruins of the fort. War marks are visible on its walls. The fort provides a great view of Cuttack city.
Barabati Cricket Stadium is near the fort. Also, the temple dedicated to Goddess Cuttack Chandi is close by.

Silver City Cuttack's Railway Station is designed like the Barabati Fort.

Cuttack Railway Station

Raibania Fort

The Raibania fort complex is the largest medieval fort of Baleswar district, Odisha. It was built during the Buddhist period in Odisha and it is located in Lakshmannath, near Jaleswar and near the Suvarnarekha River. Jaychandi, a popular picnic spot, is close by.

The Raibania fort was built during the Buddhist period in Odisha.  Langula Narasingha Deba I, king of the Ganga dynasty of Utkala from 1238 to 1264, built the fort after defeating Humayun Khan, thereby restricting the entry of the Muslim forces into Odisha. The three-walled fortification interspersed by two consecutive moats is unparalleled in the history of ancient and mediaeval forts and fortifications in India. As per H.K.Mahtab, "The fort of Raibania was a very large one, bigger than that of Barabati and one of the greatest in India."

1. Fort's Map by John Beams 2. Satellite Map of the Fort : Source

Chudanga Gada 

Chudanga Gada is located in the village Baranga, near Bhuabenswar and Cuttack. According to the Madala Panji, this fort was constructed by Lalatendu Kesari of the Kesari dynasty in the 12th century AD. It was formerly known as Sarangagarh as the area had several water bodies filled with lotus that is referred as 'Saranga' in Sanskrit. 

Sisupalgarh

Sisupalgarh, situated near Bhubaneswar, dates to the 3rd-century BC- 4th century AD. It is the largest early historic fortification in the country. This defensive settlement had been established before the emergence of Mauryan Empire. Excavation in 1948 revealed this fortified township surrounded by a natural moat.

Source

Jaugada

Jaugada is an ancient fort located near Brahmapur (Berhampur) and Purshottampur of Ganjam. It is the second place in Odisha (first is Dhauli) where Ashokan rock edicts associated to Kalinga have been found.

It is also known as Jatudurga (Lac fort). It is named so as the walls of the ancient fort were made of 'Jau'- Jau is the Odia word for 'Lacquer' i.e. 'Lac'. Some believe that the fort of Jaugada was built by Duryodhana of Mahabharata fame. 

Potagada

Potagada was  built  by Britishers in the 18^th Century. Situated close to River Rushikulya near Chatrapur and Brahmapur (Berhampur), the fort is surrounded by a moat. The remnants of the majestic fort show the glorious past of Ganjam. The picturesque geographical location is lovely. 

Have you visited these Qilas in Odisha? Any more Qilas in Odisha that can be added to this list? Please share in the comments below.
I love Qilas as they reflect the glorious archaeological history of India. Forts attract me.
I visited Jaugada and Potagada recently thanks to Swosti Travels and explored #OdishaWithSwosti.

Post for my second #atozchallenge. Q for Qila. Qila means Fort.

My Theme is- "Odisha- The Soul of Incredible India".
Odisha is a state in the eastern part of India. Have you visited Odisha and India? 

I am sharing some glimpses from Odisha. Do keep reading and discovering!