Forgotten Forts: India Underrated Forts With Unheard History

Forgotten Forts

What are your images of forts in India? Most likely, the grand Amber Fort of Jaipur or the spectacular Mehrangarh of Jodhpur or the spacious Red Fort of Delhi. However there are scores of little-known sentinels of the past to be found beyond these familiar spots. When most people think of traveling, they think of the journey, not the destination.

We know that any fort has something to tell at HappyEasyGo. Lovers of history who do not want a crowd can therefore have an opportunity to pack a bag, pick up the flight ticket and fly back in time. Now let us take a detour and see some of the lost forts of India that you may want to visit.

1. Gingee Fort, Tamil Nadu The Trojan of the East

Gingee Fort

Solidly built on a hill in the Viluppuram district, the Gingee Fort is commonly termed as the Troy of the east due to its near impregnable construction design. The fort complex is a maze like area of granaries, temples and citadels spread on three hills inter linked by back ways and secret walk throughs. Having been conquered once by the Marathas, the Mughals as well as the British, this fort has stories to tell of courage, frustration, and betrayal on which not many would have heard.

How to go: At Chennai is the nearest airport. Buy a low-cost air ticket to Chennai and take a taxi and drive 3 hours.

2. Basavakalyana Fort Karnataka-The Center of Social Revolution

Basavakalyana Fort, Karnataka

Basavakalyana was the former capital of the Kalyani Chalukyas and a hotbed of reform presided over by Basavanna, the 12 th -century social reformer. Fort is not only a pile of stone and mortar, it is the place where poets and philosophers met to oppose orthodoxy. The decaying ramparts of its ruins tell tales of cultural rebirth and heroism the majority of historical texts do not bother to mention.

Reach: The nearest airport is Hyderabad. You will be able to get an easy flight booking option and cheap flight to Hyderabad with HappyEasyGo. There is beautiful 4-hour ride to Basavakalyana.

3. Jaigad Fort, Maharashtra Jaigad Fort is the coastal sentinel

Jaigad Fort, Maharashtra

Jaigad Fort is not popular due to tourist rush that goes to Sindhudurg and Janjira. This fort is situated on a cliff that faces the Arabian Sea and in the era of the Maratha rule, it used to be the guard of the coast. Stroll its ramparts with the wind of the sea bearing on it the sounds of nautical wars and guns. The fort has spectacular views of the bay and this is the ideal place to have a picnic at sunset.

How to access: The closest airport is Ratnagiri. Book a flight ticket to Ratnagiri and drive to Jaigad, it may be a treasure waiting behind your back.

4. Chiktan Fort, Ladakh – A Ghost Story and A Heroic Story

Chiktan Fort, Ladakh

Just think of a fort in the Himalayas which was done without cement! Chiktan Fort built with clay and stone set in the Kargil district is surrounded by myths of ghosts and legends. Its tall towers used to shelter the kings of the valley, however, nowadays it remains deserted, being partially taken by the winds.

Travel tip: Ladakh can be accessed easily by Flights to most of the major cities in India. Make flight booking at HappyEasyGo and drive to Kargil to watch this haunting but majestic fort.

5. Kumbhalgarh fort, Rajasthan: The Great Wall of India

Kumbhalgarh fort, Rajasthan

Kumbhalgarh does not live under the rock (as such a phrase is used), yet seldom succeeds in attaining the fame of the forts of Jaipur. It has a wall that is more than 36 km long and it is the second-longest continuous wall in the world! Maharana Pratap was born at this Mewar fort which provided shelter to the king when attacked at sieges.

Whereas the Amber or even the Mehrangarh is so crowded that you find no elbow room, Kumbhalgarh will leave you with lots of breathing, trekking and other mind-trips as you contemplate why not say about the birds of Rajputana warlike battles as they echo in the walls of Kumbhalgarh.

How to get there: Get a cheap flight to Udaipur, and then take a road trip of nearly 2 hrs to arrive at the fort.

6. Chanderi Fort, Madhya Pradesh -The Quiet Watchman of Saturday the Silk Road

Chanderi Fort, Madhya Pradesh

Chanderi Fort located above the small town of Chanderi is a place that used to be a stopover in the trade routes between Central India and North. It was so strategically located as to be the inheritance of dynasties as various as Mughals and Bundelas. Nowadays, the fort is calm, and its gates and domes remind about the silk merchants, warriors, and ancient dynasties.

Reach: The nearest airport is Gwalior. Go beyond the realms of reality and go book the flight with HappyEasyGo and hit the road to Chanderi through the serene and yet potent piece of history.

7. Kangra Fort, Himachal Pradesh -The Stronghold Which is Oldest

Kangra Fort, Himachal Pradesh

Thought to be the oldest fort in India, Kangra Fort originates back to Trigarta dynasty as indicated in Mahabharata! Its tactical position and the temples full of wealth drew raiders and invaders to the Mughals and the British. The fort located on the bank of the confluence of Banganga and Majhi rivers is a place of a spectacular view as much as the place is of old stories.

How it can be reached: Dharamshala is the nearest airport. Purchase a low-cost airline ticket to Dharamshala and tick off this fort with your bucket list in Himachal.

Why Forgotten Forts are Important

India forgotten forts do not simply cease to exist in the form of stone ruins: they are eloquent testimony of what their story could be. They have witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties, ordinary life, hidden diplomatic contacts, violent confrontations and tranquility.

The ultimate thing? These forts are largely devoid of touts, crowds and selfie sticks! You are actually able to stop, hear the wind and envision the world a hundred years ago.

With HappyEasyGo, go fly back in time!

Be it history or the cost, at HappyEasyGo, we ensure a smooth trip with the lowest price. Whether you are going on a weekend getaway or a unique heritage trail, we assist you to get the right flight booking, book an affordable flight at best prices and uncover the unheard stories on the way.

Therefore, remember just in case you need some adventure that can be also original and not costly, stop to think about palaces and beaches, go to the forgotten Indian forts. Book your Flights, pack your curiosity and set foot into a world where a stone has a secret to share.

Are you prepared to find back the lost history of India? See HappyEasyGo to book your low cost flight back to yesteryear, one fort at a time.