RAMNAGAR FORT
Every city is filled with amazing memories and full of history which is the reason, the city is known by today’s generation. People love to visit cities which have amazing history with full of historical monuments which make them travel the time since those historical monuments were established. When we talk about cities with full of history, KASHI is one of the historically Important city among all the cities. The history of kashi is not just related to kalyug but also includes all the yugs of all the time.
Today, let’s talk about one of the important essence of kashi known as RAMNAGAR FORT, which was established in kalyug 1750 by KASHI NARESH (King of kashi), Raja Balwant Singh. It is located near the Ganga River on its eastern bank, opposite to the Tulsi Ghat. The sandstone structure was built in the Mughal style and was one of the attractive fort in those times.
STRUCTURAL VIEW OF THE FORT
The structure was developed with smooth shaded chunar sandstone. It is based on Mughal style of design. The fortification houses the Veda Vyasa Temple, a historical center, and the Maharajas private complex. There is likewise a Dakshin Mukhi sanctuary of Hanuman, which faces towards south.
The fortress has been based on high ground, which is over the flood level. The post has many cut galleries, open courtyards and pavilions. Just a piece of the structure is open for public review as its remainder is the home of Kashi Naresh and his family. The flag on the fort is raised when the Maharaja is in residence in his palace fort. Inside the post, the castle has two white towers, which are gotten to by a trip of steps. Toward the finish of the trip of steps, there is an opening and numerous yards that lead to the white tower. The private home of the Maharaja is on one side of the tower while the Durbar Hall and banquet halls are on the opposite side. An engraving on the fortification divider verifies “Braced House of the Rajah of Benares, with his state Boat”.
MUSEUM
The museum is known as Saraswati Bhawan. The museum is in what used to be the Durbar Hall or the Public Audience Hall of the fort. It is well known for its unusual and rare collections of American vintage cars, bejeweled sedan chairs, ivory work, medieval costumes, gold and silver brocaded royal Palakis (Palanquins in the shape of a lotus flower). It has elephant saddles carved out of silver, jewellery, costumes made of kimkhwa silk (finest product of the weavers of Varanasi), an impressive armoury hall with swords, old guns from Africa, Burma and Japan.
The old armoured matchlocks, ornate hookahs, daggers, portraits of Maharajas, black musical instruments which have turned white because of neglect of maintenance and there is a rare astronomical clock. This clock shows not only the time but also the year, month, week and day, and the astronomical details of the Sun, Moon and other planets. This clock was made in 1852 by the Astronomer at the Court of the Royal Palace of Varanasi. In addition, manuscripts, especially religious writings, are housed in the museum. Many books illustrated in the Mughal miniatures style are also part of the collections. There are five hundred and thirty-five illustrations expressing Islamic ethos, each having a decorative border with ornate floral designs or cartouches.
DIFFERENT ROUTES AND ITS TIME TO REACH RAMNAGAR FORT
The fort is at a scenic location on the eastern right bank of the Ganges River, opposite to the Varanasi Ghats. It is 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from Varanasi and 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the Benares Hindu University by the newly built Ramnagar bridge. With the bridge built it hardly takes 10 minutes to reach the fort from BHU. Boat ride to the fort from Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi takes about an hour.
People coming to kashi should visit ramnagar fort atleast for once. It has amazing historical collection which is linked with interesting history since 1750.
ADDRESS: Varanasi Rd, Purana, Ramnagar, Uttar Pradesh 221008
VISITING HOURS:
Monday 10am–5pm
Tuesday 10am–5pm
Wednesday 10am–5pm
Thursday 10am–5pm
Friday 10am–5pm
Saturday 10am–5pm
Sunday 10am–5pm