Asigarh Fort, Haryana
Asigarh Fort is one of the oldest forts of India and there is little clarity about who built the fort. Asigarh Fort or Hansi Fort, as per British library, was built by the Tomara Dynasty ruler Anangpala Tomar. However, as evidenced by some excavations there were settlements on the mounds of the fort long before it was believed to be built. King Harshavardhana of Pushyabhuti dynasty is believed to the one who built the fort initially. The Asigarh fort was used by various rulers from the Chauhan Dynasty, Delhi Sultanate, Tomar Dynasty, Jat Sikhs, Maratha Empire, and even Britishers. It gets it to name from the words – Asi (Sword) and Garh (Fort). As the name would suggest, this fort was the heart of sword making for Ancient Hindu rulers. The most notable name amongst its rulers is of Prithviraj Chauhan as he reconstructed the fort to a great extent in the 12th century.
The Asigarh fort has walls that are 52ft high and 37ft thick. Whilst the maingate has inscriptions of birds, animals, and Hindu deities, it also houses a mosque in its complex. There is also an inscription that reads that the fort was repaired by Khilji Dynasty’s most famous ruler Alauddin Khilji in 1304. It also has a long pillar-like structure known as Baradari situated on the top of its mound. Although the Asigarh fort is situated less than 150 km from Delhi and is in Haryana’s one of the most populous district of Hisar, it doesn’t attract many tourists. Archaeological Survey of India has declared it a centrally protected monument.
Timings
Asigarh Fort open at 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM
Entry Fees
Free | No Tickets
Best Time to Visit
During the months of July to March