List of Forts in Uttar Pradesh: A Fort-by-Fort Journey Across Uttar Pradesh

✅ Starting with Meerut Division (6 districts)j:

1. Meerut

Meerut Fort (St. John's area) – British cantonment-era fortifications, mostly dismantled. Not a traditional Indian fort, but remnants remain in military zone.
Condition: Mostly gone; military zone.
Significance: 1857 revolt origin.

2. Baghpat

Unchagaon Fort – Heritage property near Garhmukteshwar (technically in Bulandshahr but sometimes associated with Baghpat boundary).
Privately owned heritage fort-palace.
No ASI listing.

3. Bulandshahr

Anupshahr Fort (Ganga ghat) – Historical site of local zamindari; more of a palace.
Unchagaon Fort – As above.
Kuchesar Fort
- Location: Kuchesar village, ~80 km from Delhi.
- Built by: Jat rulers of the Dalal dynasty in 18th century (circa 1734 CE).
- Historical Importance: Served as the seat of Jat zamindars under the Mughal Empire and British Raj. A symbol of regional power in Upper Doab.
- Architecture: Mud & brick fort with high bastions, courtyards, and colonial elements from later restorations.
- Current Use: Restored and leased as Heritage Hotel (Neemrana Group). Also used for films like Emergency and Veer Zaara.
- Status: Privately restored, not under ASI but a model for public-private heritage tourism.
Danpur Fort (Danpur ka Kila)
- Location: Danpur town, Bulandshahr district.
- Believed Built: Possibly 11th–12th century, likely by local Rajput chieftains or Gahadavala lineage.
- Historical Data: Very sparse. Locals mention deep moats and buried walls. Could have been a feudal outpost or garhi.
- Condition: Mostly ruins or integrated into habitation. Needs archaeological survey.
- Status: Not protected by ASI or state, at risk of vanishing.

4. Ghaziabad

No major fort; has old zamindari havelis.
Possible leads: Loni Fort (ruins of Mughal serai near Loni border with Delhi).

5. Hapur

No major fort recorded. Mostly rural towns.
May contain ruins or local jagir residences.

6. Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida)

No traditional fort; only remnants of Mughal caravanserais or watchposts.

🔷 Agra Division (Districts: Agra, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Mathura)

1. Agra District

Agra Fort
- Builder: Emperor Akbar (1573)
- Style: Mughal red sandstone fortress
- Status: UNESCO World Heritage, ASI-protected
- Significance: Mughal capital; residence of Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan
- Condition: Excellent
Fatehpur Sikri Fort / Palace Complex
- Builder: Emperor Akbar (1571–73)
- Style: Indo-Islamic; includes Buland Darwaza, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal
- Status: UNESCO World Heritage, ASI-protected
- Significance: First planned Mughal city; brief imperial capital
- Condition: Excellent

2. Firozabad District

Hathvan Fort Ruins (Tundla area)
- Builder: Local Jat/Zamindar lineage (18th–19th c.)
- Style: Brick fortification, village stronghold
- Status: Not ASI-listed
- Significance: Rural feudal heritage
- Condition: Ruins
Jasrana Fort (border area with Mainpuri)
- Likely remnants of local feudatory rule
- Status: Unprotected
- Condition: Unknown

3. Mainpuri District

Mainpuri Fort (Fort Katra area)
- Builder: Local rulers, possibly Maratha-associated
- Style: Laterite/brick, now mostly ruins
- Status: Not ASI-listed
- Significance: Historical stronghold; minimal remains
- Condition: Poor
Bewar Fort (Bewar town)

Builder: Regional chiefs
Condition: Trace remains, village-use walls

Tej Singh Fort (Bhadaura Kila)
- Location: Bhadaura village, Mainpuri District, near the banks of the Yamuna River.
- Historical Association: Attributed to Raja Tej Singh, likely a regional chief from the 18th century, possibly Bundela or Jat lineage.
- Architecture & Condition: Once featured defensive stone walls and a deep moat-like trench; today much of the structure has deteriorated, overgrown, and encroached upon.
- Current Status: Not protected by ASI or state; has not been officially surveyed in recent years.
- Conservation Urgency: Needs:
  1. Archaeological documentation and mapping
  2. Boundary demarcation and fencing
  3. A formal listing to enable preservation and potential adaptive reuse

4. Mathura District

Govardhan Fort (Ruins)
- Builder: Local rulers of Bharatpur/Jat rule era (18th c.)
- Status: Not ASI-listed
- Significance: Guard post for pilgrimage routes
- Condition: Partial remains
Kotwali Fort (Mathura city)

Built by: Possibly Kushan or Gupta-era reused by later rulers
Condition: Archaeological mound, encroached
Significance: Mythological links to Krishna legends
Status: ASI-sensitive site (some parts surveyed)

🔷 Aligarh Division (Districts: Aligarh, Hathras, Kasganj, Etah)

1. Aligarh District

Aligarh Fort (Aligarh Qila / Bonay Chor ka Qila)
- Builder: 1524–25 by Muhammad, son of Ibrahim Lodi’s governor
- Expanded by: Mughals, Marathas (Sabit Khan), French engineers
- Style: Polygonal fort on a hill, deep moat, Mughal-European blend
- Status: ASI-listed monument (S-UP-5); partially managed by AMU
- Significance: Site of 1803 Anglo-Maratha war; 1857 Revolt stirrings
- Condition: Moderate; partly intact; used by AMU Botanical Dept

2. Hathras District

Hathras Fort (Kila Gate / Raja Dayaram Fort)
- Builder: Raja Dayaram (early 19th century, during British era)
- Style: Brick and sandstone; part fort, part palace; defensive bastions
- Status: Not ASI-listed; under local heritage watch
- Significance: Resisted British in 1817 (Siege of Hathras)
- Condition: Partially intact; modified for residential/commercial use

3. Kasganj District

Soron Fort (Soron Shukar Kshetra area)
- Builder: Possibly Chandela or later Rajput rulers
- Style: Small river-side fortification; religious-military mix
- Status: Not ASI-listed
- Significance: Linked to mythological and pilgrimage sites
- Condition: Ruins; encroached
Minda Khera Fort (Minda Khera village)
- Regional fort with village dominance, possibly 18th c.
- Condition: Partial ruins
- Status: Not protected

4. Etah District

Awagarh Fort (Awagarh town)
- Builder: Jadon Rajputs, 12th century onward; expanded by Raja Balwant Singh (19th c.)
- Style: Large hill fort with inner ramparts, gardens, palace sections
- Status: Privately held (descendants of Raja Balwant Singh); not ASI-listed
- Significance: Most prominent fort in Etah region; culturally preserved
- Condition: Good (some parts well-maintained); tourism permitted
Etah Fort (Etah town)
- Lesser known, local stronghold remains
- Status: Not protected
- Condition: Trace elements only

🔷 Bareilly Division

(Districts: Bareilly, Badaun, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur)

1. Bareilly District

Ramnagar Fort (Ahichhatra, near Aonla)
- Builder: Possibly Kushana-era fortification; reused in medieval period
- Style: Earth mounds, brick ramparts; archaeological site
- Status: ASI-listed (under excavation by Archaeological Survey of India)
- Significance: Ahichhatra was the capital of Northern Panchala (Mahabharata-era kingdom); continuous habitation since ~1000 BCE
- Condition: Neglected, encroached in parts, no proper fort remains above ground
Bhamora Fort (Bhamora town)
- Builder: Local zamindars in late medieval period
- Status: Not protected
- Condition: Partially ruined; privately encroached
- Significance: Minor local fortification

2. Badaun District

Badaun Fort (also called Kotwali area mound)
- Builder: Possibly early Delhi Sultanate / Chauhan Rajputs
- Style: Earth mound, medieval stone fragments, reused by Pathans
- Status: Not formally ASI-listed
- Significance: Badaun was capital of Iltutmish for some time; location of early Delhi Sultanate activities
- Condition: Mostly urbanized; fort lost in urban growth

3. Pilibhit District

Old Fort Area (Jama Masjid zone)
- Builder: Hafiz Rahmat Khan Rohilla (18th century)
- Style: Rohilla-style fort-palace with Islamic influences
- Status: Partially preserved as old jail/quarters
- Significance: Pilibhit was a Rohilla stronghold; masjid in same style as Delhi’s Jama Masjid
- Condition: Fragmented remains; mostly repurposed
Chuka Fort (Forest zone, Terai belt)
- Unconfirmed local ruins, near Sharda canal forest zone
- Status: Not protected
- Condition: Requires on-ground survey

4. Shahjahanpur District

Fort of Diler Khan / Nawab Fort (Shahjahanpur town)
- Builder: Diler Khan, a general under Shah Jahan (17th century)
- Style: Mughal-Rohilla hybrid; inner palace, gardens, domes
- Status: Not ASI-protected
- Significance: Shahjahanpur was founded as a military outpost of the Mughals
- Condition: Some remains survive; mosque and fort gate visible
Powayan Fort (Powayan town)

Builder: Regional zamindars, pre-1857 era
Condition: Private property; some preserved
Status: Not protected
Significance: Local historical site

🔷 Lucknow Division

(Districts: Lucknow, Unnao, Raebareli, Hardoi, Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri)

1. Lucknow District

Machhi Bhawan (Old Lucknow Fort)
- Builder: Originally Nawabs of Awadh (17th–18th century); site had earlier Mughal outpost
- Style: Indo-Islamic with palace-fort blend; enclosed by ramparts near river
- Status: ASI-protected site (part of older Lucknow heritage zone)
- Significance: Headquarters of Nawabs; destroyed in 1857 revolt
- Condition: Only ruins; foundations and partial arches remain
Fort-like Complex of Dilkusha Kothi
- Builder: British (early 19th c); built in English baroque style
- Status: ASI-protected
- Significance: Used as British base during 1857 siege
- Condition: Ruins preserved as heritage site

2. Unnao District

Unnao Fort (Old Kotwali region)
- Builder: Local rulers (possibly Gaur Rajputs), 16th–17th c.
- Status: Not protected
- Significance: Served as administrative seat before British annexation
- Condition: Mostly lost; local memory remains
Sumerpur Fort (Sumerpur town)
- Builder: Local zamindars
- Condition: Fragmented; no visible large structures today

3. Raebareli District

Fort of Osa (near Dalmau)
- Builder: Local rulers (likely Gaharwar lineage)
- Status: Not ASI-listed
- Significance: Dalmau was ancient settlement with multiple medieval forts
- Condition: Ruined
Fort of Dalmau (on Ganga bank)
- Builder: Various dynasties, including Surs and Mughals
- Style: Riverbank defensive fort
- Status: Partial ASI/local protected
- Condition: Some walls, bastions visible; urban encroachment

4. Hardoi District

Shahabad Fort (Shahabad town)
- Builder: Diler Khan (under Shah Jahan)
- Style: Mughal-Rajput fusion; square fort with mosque and inner palace
- Status: Not ASI-protected
- Significance: Important suba HQ during Mughal Awadh rule
- Condition: Central gate and sections intact; mosque in use
Gausganj Fort Ruins
- Condition: Minor earthworks; locally known site
- Status: Not protected

5. Sitapur District

Khairabad Fort (historical region)
- Builder: Possibly Pathans or early Nawabi commanders
- Significance: Khairabad was an early trade and administrative center
- Condition: No major remains survive; known from texts
- Status: Not protected
Misrikh Fort Mound
- Link: Ancient site with strategic high ground
- Condition: Archaeological remains; little above-ground fortification

6. Lakhimpur Kheri District

Muhamdi Fort (Muhamdi town)
- Builder: Pathan governors (possibly under Sher Shah Suri / early Mughals)
- Status: Locally preserved; not ASI-listed
- Significance: Local strategic seat; visible walls
- Condition: Some structures remain
Palia Fort (near Nepal border)

Condition: Mostly ruins or undocumented
Likely: Local zamindari post for Terai control

🔷 Faizabad (Ayodhya) Division

(Districts: Ayodhya, Sultanpur, Amethi, Ambedkar Nagar, Barabanki)

1. Ayodhya District

Ramkot Fort Area (Ancient Ayodhya)
- Builder: Mythologically attributed to Lord Ram; historically restructured by Hindu kings and Nawabs
- Style: Defensive mound with later palace/temple complexes
- Status: ASI-protected zone (many sub-sites like Hanuman Garhi)
- Significance: Pilgrimage + strategic riverfront watchpoint
- Condition: Heritage site; not a fort in classical sense but fortified religious precinct
Hanuman Garhi
- Style: Fortified monastery with bastions and inner sanctum
- Condition: Excellent; actively maintained
- Status: Religious-fort hybrid

2. Sultanpur District

Koeripur Fort
- Builder: Local Rajput rulers
- Status: Not ASI-protected
- Significance: Controlled Sultanpur-Azamgarh trade axis
- Condition: Limited remains
Chandapur Fort (Rampur-Bhagwanpur area)
- Builder: Possibly under medieval chieftains
- Condition: Ruins; foundation mounds
- Status: Locally referenced; undocumented

3. Amethi District

Amethi Fort
- Builder: Rajput rajas of Amethi state (Bisen lineage)
- Style: Fort-palace with bastions, moat traces
- Status: Not ASI-listed; local heritage monument
- Significance: Power center till early 20th century
- Condition: Moderate; under royal descendants
Raipur Phulwari Fort
- Builder: Bhadri zamindars
- Condition: Earthworks visible; partial habitation
- Status: Not protected

4. Ambedkar Nagar District

Akatikhera Fort (Tanda region)
- Builder: Mughal-period faujdar
- Status: Minor archaeological mound
- Condition: Lost to urbanization
Rajepur Fort Site
- Condition: Village stronghold; ruined walls
- Status: Not documented by ASI

5. Barabanki District

Dewa Fort Remains
- Builder: Local Pathan rulers or zamindars
- Status: Not protected
- Significance: Linked to Sufi pilgrimage site (Haji Waris Ali Shah)
- Condition: Trace elements; urban encroachment
Rudauli Fort (Rudauli town)
- Builder: Possibly early Pathan lords
- Style: Typical small town fortification
- Status: Ruins only

🔷 Kanpur Division

(Districts: Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat, Auraiya, Etawah, Farrukhabad)

1. Kanpur Nagar District

Kanpur Fort (Nawabganj)
- Builder: British Colonel John Hessing (1825) on the ruins of Holkar–British War fort
- Style: European artillery fort with bastions
- Status: ASI-protected as part of heritage structures
- Significance: Center of 1857 Siege of Cawnpore
- Condition: Preserved partially; being restored
Chandari Fort (near Jyoti Cinema)
- Builder: Possibly Maratha/villager-built in 18th–19th c.
- Status: Local ruins
- Condition: Site encroached

2. Kanpur Dehat District

Rania Fort (Rani Bazar)
- Builder: Local zamindars (18th–19th c.)
- Style: Small masonry fort
- Status: Not ASI-listed
- Condition: Partial remains; private use
Akbarpur Fort (Akbarpur town)
- Builder: Attributed to local Pathan or Bundela chiefs
- Condition: Ruins with mound remains

3. Auraiya District

Kalinjar-Mahamaya Fort Influence
- Builder: Subfortress under Bundela control
- Status: Not ASI
- Condition: Minor ruins on hillocks
Etawah Road Fort (Amritpur belt)
- Builder: Zamindars
- Condition: Negligible remnants

4. Etawah District

Bharthana Fort
- Builder: Gaharwar Rajputs
- Status: None
- Condition: Local village remains
Etawah Fort (Etawah town)

Builder: Rajputs/Sultans
Condition: Mound remains, some foundations

Sumer Singh Fort
- Location: Etawah city, perched strategically on the Yamuna ravines.
- Built by: Raja Sumer Singh, a local ruler from the 18th–19th century.
- Architecture: Blend of Rajputana and Mughal styles; bastions, arched verandahs, decorative jharokhas. The view over the Chambal-Yamuna ravines is breathtaking.
- Cultural Note: Locals refer to it as a "phenomenal fort" due to its scenic and architectural beauty.
- Status: Partially maintained, needs elevation to a state or national heritage site.
- Potential: Ideal for adaptive reuse as a heritage tourism site, given its intact core structures and location.

5. Farrukhabad District

Farrukhabad Fort
- Builder: Nawab Muhammad Khan Bangash (1714)
- Style: Mughal-Indian with large ramparts, gates
- Status: ASI-protected remnants
- Significance: Capital of Farrukhabad Subah; later British post
- Condition: Gateway arches, bastion sections visible
Shamsabad Fort Remains

Builder: Mughal-era regional forts
Condition: Scant ruins; cultivation over site

🛡️ 1. Azamgarh District

Azamgarh Fort (Azmatgarh / Lakdi Ki Taal)

Location: Lakdi Ki Taal, Badarka, ~36 km from Azamgarh city center. allaboutup.com+7indiano.travel+7goxpedia.com+7
Builder & Era: Founded mid‑17th century by Azmat Khan (brother of Azam), descendants of Gautam Rajputs during Mughal rule. indiano.travel+6goxpedia.com+6Wikipedia+6
Features & Condition: Remains of mosque, tomb complex, lake (Madilah Sarovar); fort largely demolished by locals over time. Grounds enclosed in greenery; decent preservation but structurally fragile. indiano.travel
Status: Government site; not officially ASI-protected but historically referenced (“garh” origin). hectindia.com+4Reddit+4Reddit+4

Daulat Ibrahim Khan Tomb / Fort

Location: Within Azamgarh town boundaries. Goibibo+15azamgarh.nic.in+15allaboutup.com+15
Builder & Era: Late‑Mughal/Colonial-era mausoleum built by Raja Haribansh Singh in memory of his uncle Daulat Ibrahim Khan. Combines tomb and fort-like structuring. azamgarh.nic.in+1azamgarh.nic.in+1
Features & Condition: Notable 36-door design, fortified mausoleum; well-preserved example of contemporary architecture. azamgarh.nic.in+1azamgarh.nic.in+1
Status: Recognized as an important historic site by district administration; not listed by ASI.

🏰 2. Ballia District

No notable medieval or Mughal forts recorded by ASI or district heritage sources. mau.nic.in+3azamgarh.nic.in+3azamgarh.nic.in+3
- Ballia’s historical significance is tied to colonial-era uprisings (Chittu Pandey, 1857) and riverside trade, not fortress architecture.

🏯 3. Mau District

Katra Fort / Residences (Mau City)

Location: Katra area in Mau city. mau.nic.in+7Reddit+7Times of India+7Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2Reddit+2
Builder & Era: Constructed/fortified under Princess Jahanara Begum’s oversight (1629, Shah Jahan era). Wikipedia
Features & Condition: Included royal residence, barracks, Shahi Masjid, and an underground tunnel (~16–17 ft deep); only ruins remain, foundations occasionally uncovered via borewells. Wikipedia
Status: Local historic remains, not ASI-listed.

🏰 Basti District

Site	Era & Builder	Features & Condition	Protection Status
Amorha Khas “Mahal” site (Amorha)	18th–19th c., Suryavanshi Rajputs, Raja Zalim Singh	Fortified mansion with old walls, bullet marks from 1857, rumored secret tunnel—today a memorial shrine area Times of India+12basti.nic.in+12sknagar.nic.in+12sknagar.nic.in+9Wikipedia+9Wikipedia+9	Local heritage (not ASI-listed)
Chhawani (Amorha cantonment)	Stronghold of 1857 revolutionaries	Site of martyr hangings under a pipal tree; now has a memorial park	Revolutionary heritage memorial
Makhauda Dham area	Mythological-Vedic era (Dashrath, Rama)	Strategic ashram site; no proper fortification, but historically fortified religious zone	ASI-sensitive archaeological zone

🛡️ Sant Kabir Nagar District

Qazi Khalil-ur-Rahman’s Fort (Khalilabad)
- Era: 17th century under Aurangzeb’s faujdar Qazi Khalil-ur-Rahman
- Features: Ruined fort with reported tunnels underground; fragments visible in town area Tender Detail+9alluttarpradeshtour.blogspot.com+9basti.nic.in+9basti.nic.in
- Status: Local ruins; not ASI-listed
Baba Tameshwar Nath Dham
- Era: Mythological antiquity (Pandavas); later temple-fort design
- Features: Temple with surrounding moat-like pond; fortified dera-like enclosure alluttarpradeshtour.blogspot.com+1Times of India+1
- Status: Religious-pilgrimage heritage site

📌 Siddharthnagar District

No prominent documented fortifications: This district has no recognized forts or fortified palaces in available heritage records or local tourism sources.

🏰 Chitrakoot Division – Forts by District

1. Banda District

✅ Kalinjar Fort

Location: Naraini Tehsil, Banda
Builder/Dynasty: Chandela rulers (10th century); older legends go back to Raja Kedar (7th century)
Architecture: Massive hill fort on Vindhya range, 7.5 km wall perimeter, multiple temples inside (e.g., Neelkanth Mahadev), seven gates
Protection: ASI-listed Monument of National Importance
Significance: Among India’s most ancient forts; considered impregnable; key seat of Chandela dynasty; site of multiple major sieges (Mahmud Ghazni, Sher Shah Suri, Mughals, British)
Current Condition: Partially ruined but major sections intact; open to tourists

🏛️ Other Sites (Possible Fortified Structures)

Bhuragarh Fort – Near Banda city, likely Bundela-period ruins
Protection: Not ASI-listed; condition very poor

2. Chitrakoot District

Known Forts: No major fort in current ASI list or regional record for Chitrakoot district proper.
Historical Context: Region known more for religious and mythological significance (e.g. Ramghat, Hanuman Dhara, Gupt Godavari), not military forts.
Local Legends: Some mention of minor "durgs" (fortified ashrams) used during medieval invasions, but no surviving structure qualifies as a traditional fort.

3. Hamirpur District

✅ Rath Fort (also called Rath Qila)

Location: Rath town
Builder: King Ram Singh Bundela (early 17th century)
Architecture: Fortified palace with high walls, bastions, and a moat (now dried); Bundeli-Rajput style
Protection: Not ASI-protected; state or local body oversight (debatable)
Significance: Administrative and military seat of Bundela chieftains of Rath
Condition: Inner structures decayed; outer walls survive; needs conservation

🔎 Kurara Fort (Kurara Qila) – Near Kurara town

Status: Local references exist; may have remnants or was a jagirdar stronghold; unverified structurally
Protection: Not listed in ASI/state records

4. Mahoba District

✅ Rahila Sagar Sun Temple & Fortified Complex

Location: Near Mahoba city
Builder: Chandela king Rahila Deva (9th century)
Architecture: Temple-fort complex with ramparts
Protection: ASI-listed
Significance: Religious-fortified hillock serving as defense line and temple zone
Condition: Under ASI; accessible

✅ Gokhar Parvat Fort

Location: Near Madan Sagar Lake, Mahoba
Dynasty: Chandela
Features: Hill fort ruins; battlements visible
Protection: Not officially listed by ASI; local recognition
Condition: Ruins

✅ Chandika Devi Fort

Location: Near Mahoba
Association: Chandela rulers
Protection: Locally maintained; ASI not listed
Notes: Has temple with fortification walls

✅ Vijay Sagar Fort (and lake complex)

Features: Part of Mahoba’s famed lakes-and-forts ecosystem
Builder: Chandela period
Notes: Fortified embankments and gateways along the lake

🔍 Summary Table

District	Fort Name	Dynasty	Century	Status	Protection	Condition
Banda	Kalinjar Fort	Chandela	10th (or earlier)	Major Fort	ASI-protected	Partially intact
Banda	Bhuragarh Fort (ruins)	Bundela	17th	Minor Fort	Not listed	Ruined
Chitrakoot	—	—	—	No fort known	—	—
Hamirpur	Rath Fort	Bundela	17th	Minor Fort	Not listed	Decayed
Mahoba	Rahila Sagar Fort/Temple	Chandela	9th–10th	Religious-Fort	ASI-protected	Good
Mahoba	Gokhar Parvat Fort	Chandela	9th–11th	Hill Fort	Not listed	Ruins
Mahoba	Chandika Devi Fort	Chandela	10th	Temple-Fort	Not listed	Good
Mahoba	Vijay Sagar Fort	Chandela	11th	Water Fort	Not listed	Partial remains

🏰 Devipatan Division – Forts by District (Uttar Pradesh)

1. Gonda District

✅ Tarabganj Fort

Location: Tarabganj, near Gonda–Faizabad Road
Built By: Local taluqdars (Zamindars) under Nawabi period (18th–19th century)
Features: Fortified residence (kothi-style), boundary walls, moat traces
Protection: Not ASI-listed
Condition: Partially intact; converted into administrative or private use
Significance: Key during 1857 mutiny in Oudh region

🔍 Colonial Gonda Fort (Gonda Estate Fort)

Location: Near Gonda City
Background: British-era fortress near collectorate, related to Gonda Rajas
Condition: Mostly gone; remnants in private estate grounds

2. Bahraich District

✅ Nanpara Fort

Location: Nanpara, Bahraich (border region near Nepal)
Built By: Nanpara Nawabs / Rajas (Mughal–Nawabi era, 18th century)
Features: Defensive walls, gatehouses; acted as a fortified estate
Protection: Not ASI-protected
Condition: Inner structures lost, gates survive
Significance: Important border stronghold, loyal to British during 1857

✅ Kaiserganj Fort (Tej Singh Fort)

Location: Kaiserganj Tehsil
Built By: Raja Tej Singh, early 19th century
Protection: Not ASI-listed
Condition: Some remains survive (inner walls)

✅ Pipri Fort (near Payagpur)

Close to Payagpur, in Pipri village, there is a historical fort built around 1867 by the descendants of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s family, specifically Raja Jagdev Singh and his sister Kunwari Singh.
The fort originally covered around 1 acre, with 25 acres of surrounding estate considered heritage land.
Unfortunately, the Ghaghra River’s encroachment, erosion, and lack of maintenance have left the fort in severe disrepair.
Local descendants are trying to protect even the remaining bricks from being lost.

✅ Chandra bhawan palace of Janwar rajputs..

✅

3. Balrampur District

✅ Tulsipur Fort

Location: Tulsipur town (adjacent to Nepal border)
Dynasty: Tulsipur Rajas (linked with the Oudh princely state)
Built: Late Mughal–British era (18th–19th century)
Features: Fortified hillock with watchtower, palace-like structure
Condition: Poor; ruins remain
Protection: Not protected by ASI
Significance: Rebel base in 1857, clashed with Nepal’s support for British

✅ Balrampur Palace/Fortified Estate

Location: Balrampur town
Current Use: Heritage property (private royal estate, still maintained)
Features: Fortified garden palace (not a military fort per se)

4. Shravasti District

🕉️ Ancient Shravasti Fortifications (Jetavana)

Location: Sahet–Mahet (Shravasti town)
Civilization: Ancient Kosala Kingdom (6th century BCE–3rd century CE)
Features: Brick walls, moat system, bastion ruins surrounding city
Protection: ASI-protected ancient site
Condition: Foundations and low brick walls preserved
Significance: One of the 6 greatest cities in ancient India; Lord Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons here

📊 Summary Table – Devipatan Division

District	Fort Name	Builder / Period	Type	Protection	Condition	Notes
Gonda	Tarabganj Fort	Nawabi taluqdars (18thC)	Fortified kothi	Not ASI	Partially intact	1857 mutiny ties
Bahraich	Nanpara Fort	Nanpara Nawabs (18thC)	Estate fort	Not ASI	Gates survive	Political & border importance
Bahraich	Kaiserganj Fort	Raja Tej Singh (19thC)	Minor fort	Not ASI	Partial ruins	Minor military use
Balrampur	Tulsipur Fort	Tulsipur Rajas (18th–19thC)	Hill fortification	Not ASI	Mostly ruined	Rebel base in 1857
Balrampur	Balrampur Palace	Royal family estate	Fortified palace	Private	Well maintained	Heritage value
Shravasti	Jetavana Fortified Site	Kosala rulers (BCE era)	Urban brick ramparts	ASI-protected	Ruins	Ancient city wall of Buddhist/early Hindu era

🏰 Jhansi Division – Forts by District

Jhansi Division includes the following 3 districts:

Jhansi
Jalaun
Lalitpur

1. Jhansi District

✅ Jhansi Fort

Location: Jhansi City (on Bangira hill)
Builder: Raja Bir Singh Deo (Bundela ruler of Orchha) in 1613 CE
Dynasties: Bundela → Maratha (Newalkar) → British
Architecture: Massive stone walls, 10 gates, watchtowers, water tank, temples (Shiv & Ganesh), garden, Rani Mahal
Protection: ASI-protected Monument of National Importance
Condition: Well-preserved; tourist site with sound-and-light show
Significance: Famous for Rani Lakshmi Bai’s resistance during the 1857 revolt

✅ Baruasagar Fort

Location: Baruasagar, ~20 km from Jhansi
Builder: Bundela kings (likely Raja Udit Singh)
Era: 17th century
Architecture: Hilltop fort overlooking Baruasagar Lake; stone masonry, bastions
Protection: State protected
Condition: Partially preserved
Significance: Strategic watchpost on Bundelkhand route; scenic viewpoint

✅ Gairkheda Fort (Ruins)

Location: Near Jhansi–Mauranipur road
History: Local Bundela fort, possibly dating to 17th–18th century
Status: Not protected
Condition: Ruined
Significance: Local heritage site

✅Amargarh Fort

✅Tahrauli Fort

✅Samthar Fort

✅Star Fort in Jhansi cantt..

2. Jalaun District

✅ Kalpi Fort

Location: Kalpi town (on banks of Yamuna)
Builder: Probably constructed by rulers of the Kachhwaha clan (9th–11th century), modified by Afghans and Mughals
Later Rulers: Sher Shah Suri, Akbar, Marathas, British
Architecture: Fortified walls, gateways; Indo-Afghan influence
Protection: State protected monument
Condition: Partial ruins remain
Significance: Sher Shah Suri died near here; historical garrison town

✅ Orai Fort (Now a collectorate area)

Location: Orai City
History: Fortified town during Mughal-Maratha times; later converted into administrative estate
Protection: Not protected
Condition: Minimal remains

3. Lalitpur District

✅ Deogarh Fort

Location: Near Betwa River, Deogarh (50 km from Lalitpur town)
Builder: Gupta and later Pratihara dynasty; expanded by Gonds and Bundelas
Features: Hill fortress; nearby is Dashavatara Vishnu Temple (5th century CE)
Protection: ASI protected
Condition: Ruins and stone walls visible
Significance: Religious-fortified zone; critical during Bundela rule

✅ Chandpur Fort

Location: Chandpur village, Lalitpur
Builder: Local Bundela chieftains
Era: 17th century
Condition: Partial ruins
Status: Not protected
Notes: Needs more documentation

✅ Talbehat Fort

Location: Talbehat town (on Jhansi–Lalitpur rail line)
Builder: Raja Bharat Shah (Bundela)
Architecture: Lakeside fort with watchtowers, thick walls
Protection: State protected monument
Condition: Fairly preserved
Significance: Important Bundela post; used during British colonial period

📊 Summary Table – Jhansi Division Forts

District	Fort Name	Dynasty/Builder	Century	Protection	Condition	Notes
Jhansi	Jhansi Fort	Bundela (Bir Singh Deo)	17th	ASI	Excellent	Heroic stand by Rani Lakshmi Bai in 1857
Jhansi	Baruasagar Fort	Bundelas	17th	State Protected	Partial	Scenic fort over lake
Jhansi	Gairkheda Fort	Bundelas	17th–18th	Not protected	Ruins	Local hill fort
Jalaun	Kalpi Fort	Kachhwaha/Suri/Mughals	9th–16th	State Protected	Partial	Sher Shah Suri died nearby
Jalaun	Orai Fort	Mughal/Maratha	16th–18th	Not protected	Barely remains	Became admin HQ
Lalitpur	Deogarh Fort	Pratihara/Bundela	8th–12th	ASI	Stone ruins	Near Vishnu Temple (Dashavatara)
Lalitpur	Talbehat Fort	Bundelas	17th	State Protected	Good	Lakeside hill fort
Lalitpur	Chandpur Fort	Bundelas	17th	Not protected	Ruins	Lesser-known site needing study

🏰 Lucknow Division – Forts by District

Lucknow Division includes the following 6 districts:

Lucknow
Hardoi
Lakhimpur Kheri
Raebareli
Sitapur
Unnao

1. Lucknow District

✅ Macchi Bhawan (Macchi Bhavan Fort Complex)

Location: Inside Bara Imambara Complex
Builder: Originally by Mughals; renovated by Nawabs of Awadh
Era: Mughal (17th century) to Nawabi (18th century)
Architecture: Fort-like citadel; Mughal with Persian-style courtyards and battlements
Protection: ASI protected
Condition: Ruins; some walls remain
Significance: Original administrative seat before Nawabi palaces

✅ Dilkusha Kothi (Fortified Palace)

Location: Gomti banks
Builder: Nawab Saadat Ali Khan (1800s), inspired by English baroque style
Architecture: Not a fort, but a fortified palace; British military used it in 1857
Condition: Partial ruins
Protection: ASI
Significance: Key location in 1857 Siege of Lucknow

✅ Residency Complex (Lucknow Residency)

Built by: Nawabs for British Resident
Type: Fortified colonial estate
Protection: ASI
Historical Role: Center of British defense during 1857
Condition: Preserved as 1857 war memorial

2. Hardoi District

✅ Sandi Fort (Ruins)

Location: Sandi town
Builder: Chandela Rajputs
Era: 10th–11th century CE
Condition: Mostly in ruins
Protection: Not officially protected
Significance: One of the oldest sites in Awadh–Bundelkhand border

✅ Bilgram Fort (Khanaqah Fortified Walls)

Location: Bilgram town
Dynasty: Delhi Sultanate, then Nawabs
Protection: Not protected
Condition: Minimal remains of fortified estate
Notes: Historically important town

3. Lakhimpur Kheri District

✅ Muhammadabad Fort

Location: Near Gola Gokarannath
Era: Likely Nawabi or local rajas
Condition: Minor remains
Notes: Poorly documented, needs ASI study

4. Raebareli District

✅ Dalmau Fort

Location: Dalmau town, on banks of the Ganga
Builder: Built by Bara Bir (legendary warrior), later fortified by Mughals and Nawabs
Era: Pre-Mughal to Nawabi era
Architecture: Elevated stone bastion overlooking Ganges
Protection: ASI protected
Condition: Partial ruins remain
Significance: Cultural seat of poets; medieval garrison

✅ Samaspur Fort (Private Estate)

Location: Near Raebareli
Condition: Remnants only
History: Part of zamindari fortifications
Protection: Not protected

5. Sitapur District

✅ Khairabad Fort (Ruins)

Location: Khairabad town
History: Important trade center during Mughal period
Condition: Ruins remain of fortified walls
Notes: Poorly preserved, but once important during 18th century

6. Unnao District

✅ Unnao Fort (Zamindari Remains)

Location: Unnao city
Builder: Rajput landlords
Era: 17th–19th century
Protection: Not ASI
Condition: Mostly absorbed into town; scattered remnants

✅ Safipur Fort (Kesar Kila)

Location: Safipur town
History: Important in Mughal–Nawabi transitions
Condition: Remnants remain
Notes: Locally revered

📊 Summary Table – Lucknow Division Forts

District	Fort Name	Era / Builder	Protection	Condition	Notes
Lucknow	Macchi Bhawan	Mughals / Nawabs	ASI	Ruins	Early fort of Lucknow
Lucknow	Residency	Nawabs / British	ASI	Well-preserved	1857 revolt centerpiece
Lucknow	Dilkusha Kothi	Nawabs	ASI	Ruins	Baroque palace-fort
Hardoi	Sandi Fort	Chandela Rajputs	No	Ruins	One of oldest sites in area
Hardoi	Bilgram Fort	Delhi Sultanate/Nawabi	No	Minimal remains	Historic town walls
Lakhimpur Kheri	Muhammadabad Fort	Local rulers/Nawabs	No	Minor remains	Needs documentation
Raebareli	Dalmau Fort	Bara Bir/Mughals/Nawabs	ASI	Ruins	On Ganga, cultural fort
Raebareli	Samaspur Fort	Zamindars	No	Minimal remains	Private estate
Sitapur	Khairabad Fort	Mughals	No	Ruins	Important medieval trade town
Unnao	Safipur Fort	Nawabs / Zamindars	No	Partial remains	Needs conservation
Unnao	Unnao Fort (Estate)	Zamindars	No	Few remnants	Urbanized over time

🏯 Gorakhpur Division – Forts by District

Gorakhpur Division consists of the following 4 districts:

Gorakhpur
Kushinagar
Maharajganj
Deoria

1. Gorakhpur District

✅ Shahpur Fort (Tikri Kila / Shahpur Kothi)

Location: Shahpur Tikri, near Gorakhpur city
Builder: Local Rajput zamindars (Tikri Estate)
Era: 17th–19th century
Architecture: Fortified estate; red-brick walls, dungeons, and arches
Protection: Not ASI-protected
Condition: Partially intact; some buildings still used privately
Significance: A rare example of fortified zamindari haveli in the region

✅ Maniram Fort (Minor Estate)

Location: Maniram town
Condition: Only gatehouse survives
Era: Possibly Nawabi period
Notes: Local oral traditions claim former stronghold of feudal landholders

2. Kushinagar District

Primarily known for Buddhist heritage, not forts. But some minor fortified sites are mentioned:

✅ Padrauna Fort (Lost Fortification Site)

Location: Padrauna town
Era: Possibly 18th century
Builder: Local taluqdars
Condition: Only the name and boundary walls exist
Significance: Fortified administrative site during Nawabi-British transition

✅ Ramkola Fort (Mythical / Folk Site)

Location: Near Ramkola
Legend: Local legend associates the site with ancient kings, but no concrete evidence
Condition: No preserved structure
Notes: Mentioned in folk epics; could be archaeological interest

3. Maharajganj District

✅ Nichlaul Fort (Ruins)

Location: Nichlaul town (close to Indo-Nepal border)
Builder: Tharu Rajputs / tribal kings
Era: Pre-Mughal tribal fortification
Condition: Earth mound remains; destroyed during colonial annexation
Significance: Frontier defense post

✅ Dhani Fort (Obscure Fortified Mound)

Location: Dhani near Pharenda
Condition: Archaeological interest; fortified earthen walls found
Notes: Locally believed to be part of ancient Tharu principality

4. Deoria District

✅ Barhaj Fort (Zamindari Estate Fort)

Location: Barhaj, on Ghaghara river
Builder: Local zamindars
Era: 18th–19th century
Condition: Major parts lost in floods
Notes: Strategic riverside defense; historical mentions in land records

✅ Rudrapur Fort (Lost Site)

Location: Rudrapur town
Notes: Oral history speaks of a large mud fort, but now completely urbanized

📊 Summary Table – Gorakhpur Division Forts

District	Fort Name	Builder / Era	Condition	Protection	Notes
Gorakhpur	Shahpur Fort (Tikri)	Rajput Zamindars (17C)	Partial	No	Still partially in use privately
Gorakhpur	Maniram Fort	Nawabi feudal lords	Minimal	No	Gatehouse remains
Kushinagar	Padrauna Fort	Nawabi/Zamindars	Traces	No	Little survives; place name lives on
Kushinagar	Ramkola Fort (Myth)	Folk history	No structure	No	Cultural reference site
Maharajganj	Nichlaul Fort	Tharu Rajputs	Mounds	No	Border tribal stronghold
Maharajganj	Dhani Fort	Tribal rulers	Archaeological	No	Possible ASI interest
Deoria	Barhaj Fort	Zamindars (18–19C)	Mostly lost	No	Flood-prone; riverside fort
Deoria	Rudrapur Fort	Local lords	Lost	No	Urbanized; folklore remains

🏯 Faizabad (Ayodhya) Division – Forts by District

This division includes 6 districts:

Ayodhya (Faizabad)
Ambedkar Nagar
Sultanpur
Amethi
Barabanki
Gonda

1. Ayodhya (Faizabad) District

✅ Ramkot Fort (Mythical / Lost)

Location: Ayodhya city
Legend: Capital fort of Lord Ram; referred to in the Ramayana
Current structure: No preserved fort, but site marked by Ramkot Temple
Protection: Religious site, not ASI-listed as a fort
Significance: Cultural cornerstone of Hindu belief

✅ Chhoti Chhawni (Guptar Ghat Area)

Location: Ayodhya town
Builder: Nawabs of Awadh
Era: 18th century
Architecture: Mughal-Rajput style; palace-fort type
Protection: Partially under state tourism
Use: Religious lodgings and ashrams today

✅ Gulab Bari Fortified Complex

Location: Faizabad
Builder: Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula
Era: Mid 18th century
Architecture: Garden tomb with fortified boundary, guard towers
Protection: ASI listed
Significance: Burial site; surrounded by thick walls like a mini fort

2. Ambedkar Nagar District

✅ Akbarpur Fort (Lost Nawabi Fortress)

Location: Akbarpur town
Builder: Local Awadh administrators
Era: 18th–19th century
Condition: Little survives, turned into marketplace
Notes: Mentioned in colonial gazetteers as a fortified outpost

✅ Jahangirganj Fort Ruins

Location: Jahangirganj town
Builder: Unknown, possibly Pathan zamindars
Condition: Only partial walls exist
Use: Locals use walls for housing compound

3. Sultanpur District

✅ Koeripur Fort

Location: Koeripur town
Builder: Taluqdars of Koeripur
Era: 18th century
Condition: Gateway remains, houses built inside
Significance: Zamindari defense post

✅ Sultanpur Fort (Lost Mughal Garrison)

Location: Sultanpur town (near river)
Notes: British records mention a Mughal-era fortified site
Condition: No visible remains now

4. Amethi District

✅ Raja Amethi Fort (Amethi Kila)

Location: Amethi town
Builder: Rajput Rajas of Amethi Estate
Era: 17th–19th century
Architecture: Fortified palace with bastions
Condition: Good, still in use by descendants
Significance: One of the best-preserved taluqdari forts in the region

✅ Rasoolpur Fort

Location: Gauriganj block
Builder: Feudal chieftains
Condition: Wall remnants

5. Barabanki District

✅ Dewa Fort (Lost Rajput Stronghold)

Location: Dewa Sharif
Builder: Local Rajputs before it became Sufi shrine
Notes: Converted into Sufi spiritual center; no military remains

✅ Ramnagar Fort (Barabanki)

Location: Near Rudauli tehsil
Condition: Earthen ramparts visible
Era: Pre-British Rajput stronghold

6. Gonda District

✅ Mankapur Fort

Location: Mankapur town
Builder: Raja Dinesh Singh (descendant of Suryavanshi Rajputs)
Era: 18th–19th century
Architecture: Large palace-fort, live-in estate
Condition: Maintained, still occupied
Significance: Hosted nationalist gatherings during Independence

✅ Colonial Fort Ruins in Colonelganj

Location: Colonelganj (named after British officer)
Use: Military station; minor redoubt used by East India Co.
Condition: Lost

📊 Summary Table – Faizabad (Ayodhya) Division Forts

District	Fort Name	Builder / Era	Condition	Protection	Notes
Ayodhya	Ramkot Fort (mythical)	Treta Yuga (legend)	Religious site	No	Cultural legacy of Lord Ram
Ayodhya	Chhoti Chhawni	Nawabs of Awadh	Intact	State	Converted to religious ashrams
Ayodhya	Gulab Bari Complex	Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula	Well-preserved	ASI	Fortified tomb garden
Ambedkar Nagar	Akbarpur Fort	Nawabi officers	Lost	No	Mentioned in gazetteers
Ambedkar Nagar	Jahangirganj Fort	Pathan zamindars	Walls remain	No	Local usage
Sultanpur	Koeripur Fort	Koeripur Taluqdars	Gateway remains	No	Zamindari structure
Amethi	Amethi Kila	Rajput rulers	Good	No	Still used by former royal family
Barabanki	Dewa Fort	Rajputs → Sufi conversion	Lost	No	Now a dargah
Gonda	Mankapur Fort	Suryavanshi Rajput kings	Maintained	No	Politically significant during British Raj

🏯 Mirzapur Division – Forts by District

Mirzapur Division includes 3 districts:

Mirzapur
Sonbhadra
Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar)

🏰 1. Mirzapur District

✅ Chunar Fort

Location: On banks of Ganga, near Vindyachal
Builder: Possibly Mauryas (initial); rebuilt by Sher Shah Suri
Era: Dates back to 2nd century BCE
Architecture: Sandstone fort atop a hill, triple defense walls, underground tunnels
Used by: Sher Shah Suri, Mughals, British (Warren Hastings)
Protection: ASI listed
Significance: One of UP’s most historically strategic forts (river + mountain)
Current Status: Well-preserved, tourism spot

✅ Vindyachal Fort Site (Mythical / Religious)

Location: Vindyachal (Shaktipeeth)
Legend: Linked to Durga temple, part of sacred Vindhya hills fortifications
Structure: No major fort remains but elevated platforms, old stone ramparts near ghats

✅ Barkachha Fort Ruins

Location: Barkachha area (rural plateau)
Builder: Rajput/Chero rulers
Condition: Ruins of boundary walls and watch posts
Notes: Strategically located near stone quarries

✅ Kotwa Pahar (Hill Fort-like Outcrop)

Location: Near Ahraura forest range
Use: Tribal defense post (possibly Kol/Chero)
Structure: Remains of stone battlements

🏰 2. Sonbhadra District

This is fort country – full of Vindhyan rock forts, tribal fortresses, and Chero bastions.

✅ Agori Fort

Location: Near Chopan (Sone river valley)
Builder: Chero dynasty
Era: Pre-Mughal tribal kingdom
Architecture: Stone-built, defensive garrison on a hilltop
Protection: ASI-monitored site
Significance: One of Eastern UP's oldest non-Hindu dynastic forts
Current Status: Accessible, partially ruined

✅ Vijaygarh Fort

Location: Robertsganj (close to Dhandhraul Dam)
Builder: Cheros, expanded by British
Famous for: Princess Chandrakanta legend (novel by Devaki Nandan Khatri)
Condition: Partially preserved; includes temples, ponds, gateways
Protection: ASI listed
Terrain: High cliff in the Vindhya ranges
Significance: Cultural-literary-historical overlap

✅ Fort of Naugarh (Naugarh Kila)

Location: Naugarh town
Builder: Feudal lord under British
Era: 19th century
Condition: Used by administration till late 20th century
Architecture: British-Rajput hybrid
Current Use: Government offices, partially dilapidated

✅ Rajdari-Deodari Hill Fort Remains

Location: Near waterfalls
Notes: Fortified outcrops, used for guarding forest passes

🏰 3. Bhadohi District (Sant Ravidas Nagar)

This district has fewer known forts but served as a feudal buffer zone between Kashi and Vindhya tribes.

✅ Gopiganj Zamindari Fort

Location: Gopiganj town
Builder: Local landlords under Nawabs of Awadh
Structure: Palace-fort type, now privately owned
Condition: Inner haveli remains, boundary walls broken

✅ Suriyawan Fort Site (Lost)

Location: Suriyawan
Era: Mentioned in some travelogues
Condition: Only mound and oral traditions remain

📊 Summary Table – Forts in Mirzapur Division

District	Fort Name	Builder / Era	Condition	Protection	Notes
Mirzapur	Chunar Fort	Mauryas → Sher Shah	Preserved	ASI	Ganga hill fort, major historical site
Mirzapur	Barkachha Fort	Rajput/Chero	Ruins	No	Rural plateau fort
Mirzapur	Vindhyachal Site	Religious	Symbolic only	Pilgrimage	Fortified temple zone
Sonbhadra	Agori Fort	Chero Dynasty	Partially ruined	ASI	Tribal fort on cliff
Sonbhadra	Vijaygarh Fort	Chero → British	Partially intact	ASI	Tied to "Chandrakanta"
Sonbhadra	Naugarh Fort	British/Chero	Mixed use	No	Converted to admin buildings
Bhadohi	Gopiganj Fort	Zamindars	Dilapidated	No	Feudal fortification
Bhadohi	Suriyawan Site	Unknown	Lost	No	Memory survives via folklore

🗺️ Moradabad Division – District-wise Forts Overview

This division consists of 5 districts:

Moradabad
Sambhal
Rampur
Amroha
Bijnor

🏰 1. Moradabad District

✅ Moradabad Fort (Ruins)

Original Builder: Raja Rustam Khan (1625 CE) under Mughal service
Location: Near old city core, Moradabad
Era: Mughal–Rohilla transition
Condition: Completely lost; fort mound remains
Current Use: City area has overtaken the site
Historical Note: Once known as Rustam Nagar; part of Mughal garrison system

✅ Dilari Fortified Haveli (Zamindari)

Location: Dilari town
Structure: Fortified mansion used by zamindars
Notes: Now a heritage home with broken bastions

🏰 2. Sambhal District

✅ Sambhal Fort (Now Lost)

Builder: Said to be Delhi Sultanate rulers, expanded by Mughals
Era: 14th–16th century
Significance: Sambhal was an administrative hub under early Mughals; Humayun appointed governors here
Condition: Fort no longer exists; remains lie beneath urban areas
Nearby Site: Ashokan Pillar fragment found in Sambhal, showing ancient importance

✅ Hasanpur Fortified Mahal

Location: Near Hasanpur town border (Sambhal–Amroha zone)
Type: Mughal-period zamindari estate with small walls
Status: Ruins, used in local fairs

🏰 3. Rampur District

Rampur was capital of Rohilla Nawabs — a powerful Afghan-origin dynasty post-Mughal decline.

✅ Rampur Fort (Rampur Kila)

Builder: Nawab Faizullah Khan (post-1774)
Structure: Fortified palace complex, including Raza Library
Architecture: Mughal–Rohilla hybrid with marble jalis, turrets
Current Use: Library, museum, and government quarters
Protection: ASI-protected
Significance: Cultural epicenter for Indo-Afghan and Persianate traditions

✅ Bilaspur Kot (Fort Site)

Location: Bilaspur tehsil
Condition: Earthen ramparts and moat traceable
Era: Rohilla satellite fort
Notes: Not officially documented but known locally

🏰 4. Amroha District

✅ Amroha Fortification Remnants

Location: Near old city mosque and imambara zone
Era: Delhi Sultanate & early Mughal
Condition: City walls, gates, and bastions barely remain
Local Lore: Once a walled town under Tughlaqs and Lodi rulers
Significance: Strategic location between Sambhal and Meerut axis

✅ Rehra Fort-Haveli

Location: Rehra Kalan
Notes: Rural estate fortified in late Mughal era

🏰 5. Bijnor District

Bijnor was a Rohilla stronghold, known for multiple rural forts.

✅ Najibabad Fort (Pathargarh Fort)

Builder: Nawab Najib-ud-Daula (Rohilla general under Ahmad Shah Abdali)
Era: Mid 18th century
Architecture: Rohilla-Afghan style, strong walls, multiple gates
Current Status: Partially preserved, large site
Protection: Listed by ASI and state archaeology
Significance: Base of Rohilla resistance vs British

✅ Bijnor Fort (Kila)

Location: Bijnor town center
Status: No major structure left; fort area absorbed by the city
Era: Used by Rohillas and Nawabs
Note: Gateways and street names recall fort presence

✅ Sherkot Fort Site

Location: Sherkot town
Notes: Historical bastion of Afghan settlers
Current Use: Fortified mosques, tombs survive

📊 Summary Table – Moradabad Division Forts

District	Fort Name	Builder/Era	Condition	Status	Notes
Moradabad	Moradabad Fort	Raja Rustam Khan, 1600s	Ruins/lost	Not protected	Under urban sprawl
Sambhal	Sambhal Fort	Delhi Sultanate → Mughals	Lost	Not protected	Historic center
Rampur	Rampur Fort	Nawab Faizullah Khan	Good	ASI-protected	Palace-library complex
Rampur	Bilaspur Kot	Rohilla era	Traces only	Unlisted	Earthen ramparts
Amroha	Amroha Fortification	Lodi/Mughal	Minimal remains	Not listed	Imambara zone
Bijnor	Najibabad Fort	Nawab Najib-ud-Daula	Partially intact	ASI-listed	Rohilla capital
Bijnor	Sherkot Site	Rohilla settlers	Tombs & gates	Local heritage	Fortified mosques

forts in the Prayagraj (Allahabad) Division, which includes:

Prayagraj (Allahabad)
Pratapgarh
Kaushambi
Fatehpur

1. Prayagraj District

✅ Allahabad Fort

Built by: Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1583 at Triveni Sangam
Features: Massive red sandstone walls, three adjacent galleries with corner towers, Chalees Satoon (40-pillared hall), and the sacred Akshayavat tree
Protection: ASI-protected Monument of National Importance
Condition: Well-preserved and open to visitors; historically strategic; 1857-era British arsenal located nearby

✅ Khirki Fort

Location: Near Jhusi village, on Allahabad–Sultanpur road
Era: Cited in local oral traditions, possibly early medieval (10th–12th century)
Features: Brick foundations, small bastions; visible from road but not excavated
Protection: Not listed; potential ASI site requiring mapping

✅ Sirsa Fort

Location: Sirsa village, near Allahabad Airport
Era: Likely Nawabi-era estate fort (17th–18th century)
Features: Ruined brick walls; local zamindar fort complex
Protection: Not ASI-protected

2. Fatehpur District

✅ Fatehpur Fort (Kotla)

Location: On Yamuna’s right bank
Builder: Local Taluqdars of Fatehpur, possibly 18th–19th century
Architecture: Small fortified town with walls and bastions
Protection: Not listed by ASI
Condition: Partial ruins; integrated into local settlement

✅ Khagrabari/Ekal Fort

Location: Rural Fatehpur block
Features: Ruined walls, moats; site of local legend about a “miracle”
Protection: Not listed

3. Kaushambi District

✅ Kodai Fort

Location: Near Sirathu town
Era: Earliest: Chandela or Pratihara (10th–12th C); Later: Nawabs/1817
Features: Hillock walls, moats; includes small Hindu shrines
Protection: State-protected historic monument
Condition: Partial ruins; pilgrimage site

✅ Sirathu Fort Complex

Location: Adjacent to Kodai Fort
Architecture: Extension of hill-fort defenses
Status: Not separately listed

4. Pratapgarh District

✅ Kalagarh Fort

Location: Kalagarh village, near Pratapgarh city
Built by: Local chieftains—possibly Bundela/Taluqdari in 18th–19th C
Features: Brick walls, gatehouse; military-styled
Protection: Not ASI-listed
Condition: Ruined; part of a zamindari landscape

✅ Kaili Fort Ruins

Location: Near Kaili village
Era: Unknown; perhaps early medieval
Features: Earthwork mounds and wall remnants
Protection: Not protected

✅ Amargarh Raj Mahal

📊 Summary Table – Prayagraj Division Forts

District	Fort Name	Era / Builder	Protection Status	Condition	Significance
Prayagraj	Allahabad Fort	Akbar (1583)	ASI-protected	Excellent	Mughal stronghold, Sangam landmark
Prayagraj	Khirki Fort	Early medieval (10th–12th C)	Not listed	Ruined	Archaeological potential
Prayagraj	Sirsa Fort	Nawabi estate (17th–18th C)	Not listed	Ruins	Local zamindar residence
Fatehpur	Fatehpur Fort	Taluqdars (18th–19th C)	Not listed	Partial ruins	Strategic river town defense
Fatehpur	Khagrabari Fort	Possibly Taluqdari era	Not listed	Ruins	Folklore / minor heritage site
Kaushambi	Kodai Fort	Chandela → later Nawabs	State-protected	Partial ruins	Hill-fort with temple precincts
Kaushambi	Sirathu Fort	Extension of Kodai defenses	Not listed	Ruins	Defensive adjunct of fort complex
Pratapgarh	Kalagarh Fort	Taluqdari (local rulers)	Not listed	Ruins	Zamindari stronghold
Pratapgarh	Kaili Fort	Early medieval (probable)	Not listed	Earthwork ruins	Archaeological interest

🏰 Saharanpur District

1. Chaudharian Fort (Raja Sah Ranveer Singh’s Fort)

Location: Chaudharian locality, Old Saharanpur
Builder: Raja Sah Ranveer Singh (Agrawal Jain) under Akbar’s rule (~16th century)
Significance: Early fortified settlement forming the nucleus of medieval Saharanpur
Evidence: Ruins and foundations of walls still visible near the original city gates (Sarai, Mali, Buria, Lakhi) saharanpur.dcourts.gov.inWikipedia+4saharanpur.nic.in+4Wikipedia+4
Condition: Ruined and largely buried by urban expansion; some remnants visible beneath city fabric

2. Mughal-era Walled City with Four Gates

Era: 16th–17th century under Akbar’s administration
Features: Fortified urban perimeter with four major gates (Sarai, Mali, Buria, Lakhi) and boundary walls
Condition: Most gates and walls have disappeared; gate names survive in local toponyms

3. British Civil Station Fort / Gaol (Civil Jail)

Construction: Built by British around 1804–1857 as a defensive civil division station
Function: Housed civil administration and jail; partially converted into paddocks before 1857
Condition: Possibly repurposed/free-standing masonry; now difficult to identify amid administrative structures

4. Ahmedabadi Fortress (Nawab Ghulam Qadir’s Fort)

Era: Late 18th century (Maratha–Rohilla transition)
Builder: Named after Nawab Ghulam Qadir’s ‘Nawabganj’ fort The TribuneAcademic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias+5Wikipedia+5saharanpurcity.blogspot.com+5
Architecture: Included defensive embrasures; possibly brick and rubble fortification north of town
Condition: Likely partial remnants exist; detailed mapping needed

📊 Summary Table – Saharanpur Fort Structures

Site	Builder / Era	Description	Current Condition	Protection Status
Chaudharian Fort	Raja Sah Ranveer Singh (c. 16th C)	Early fort at origin of walled city	Ruins; partly buried in Chaudharian	Not protected
Fortified Walled Old City	Akbar/Mughal era	City walls, 4 gates (Sarai, Mali, Buria, Lakhi)	Mostly disappeared	Not protected
British Civil Station Fort/Gaol	British Raj (c. 1800s)	Fortified civil/jail complex	Incorporated into govt buildings	Not protected
Ahmedabadi Fortress	Nawab Ghulam Qadir (late 18th C)	Rohilla-built defensive structure	Partial remains; needs identification	Not protected

List of Forts in Uttar Pradesh: A Fort-by-Fort Journey Across Uttar Pradesh

✅ Starting with Meerut Division (6 districts)j:

1. Meerut

2. Baghpat

3. Bulandshahr

Kuchesar Fort

Danpur Fort (Danpur ka Kila)

4. Ghaziabad

5. Hapur

6. Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida)

🔷 Agra Division (Districts: Agra, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Mathura)

1. Agra District

2. Firozabad District

3. Mainpuri District

Tej Singh Fort (Bhadaura Kila)

4. Mathura District

🔷 Aligarh Division (Districts: Aligarh, Hathras, Kasganj, Etah)

1. Aligarh District

2. Hathras District

3. Kasganj District

4. Etah District

🔷 Bareilly Division

1. Bareilly District

2. Badaun District

3. Pilibhit District

4. Shahjahanpur District

🔷 Lucknow Division

1. Lucknow District

2. Unnao District

3. Raebareli District

4. Hardoi District

5. Sitapur District

6. Lakhimpur Kheri District

🔷 Faizabad (Ayodhya) Division

1. Ayodhya District

2. Sultanpur District

3. Amethi District

4. Ambedkar Nagar District

5. Barabanki District

🔷 Kanpur Division

1. Kanpur Nagar District

2. Kanpur Dehat District

3. Auraiya District

4. Etawah District

Sumer Singh Fort

5. Farrukhabad District

🛡️ 1. Azamgarh District

Azamgarh Fort (Azmatgarh / Lakdi Ki Taal)

Daulat Ibrahim Khan Tomb / Fort

🏰 2. Ballia District

🏯 3. Mau District

Katra Fort / Residences (Mau City)

🏰 Basti District

🛡️ Sant Kabir Nagar District

📌 Siddharthnagar District

🏰 Chitrakoot Division – Forts by District

1. Banda District

✅ Kalinjar Fort

🏛️ Other Sites (Possible Fortified Structures)

2. Chitrakoot District

3. Hamirpur District

✅ Rath Fort (also called Rath Qila)

🔎 Kurara Fort (Kurara Qila) – Near Kurara town

4. Mahoba District

✅ Rahila Sagar Sun Temple & Fortified Complex

✅ Gokhar Parvat Fort

✅ Chandika Devi Fort

✅ Vijay Sagar Fort (and lake complex)

🔍 Summary Table

🏰 Devipatan Division – Forts by District (Uttar Pradesh)

1. Gonda District

✅ Tarabganj Fort

🔍 Colonial Gonda Fort (Gonda Estate Fort)

2. Bahraich District

✅ Nanpara Fort

✅ Kaiserganj Fort (Tej Singh Fort)

✅ Pipri Fort (near Payagpur)

✅ Chandra bhawan palace of Janwar rajputs..

✅

3. Balrampur District