Kirti Durg

Location

The foundation of Kirti Durg was constructed by Raja Kirti Pal in the 11th Century A.D. over the next centuries major construction, demolitions, and reconstruction have created the fort we see today. Existing additions to Kirti Durg have been made by Alauddin Khilji of Delhi, Mahmood Khilji of Malwa region, Ibrahim Lodi of Delhi, The Mughal dynasty and Sher Shah Suri of Delhi. The fort extends in a five kilometer radius. Inside the main fort is The Nokhanda Palace, Khilji Mosque, tomb of Hazrat Abdul Rehman Naar Nooli Baba, a pond, and the modern Jauhar memorial, which are worth visiting. Kirti Durg has withstood many attacks in the course of Central India history. In 1528 Mughal Emperor Babur captured the fort in a historic battle from Rajput Rana Sanga of Mewar that also saw over 600 women of the Rajput court commit ritual suicide by Jauhar where they threw themselves into fire to escape capture by the enemy. Jauhar was a tradition adopted by Hindu women in which they commits suicide in mass to avoid being captured & subsequent harassment by enemies especially by Islamic forces. Later the fort was captured by Bundela Rajputs in 1586.