The Ruined Fort of Pohari

The History of India is stuck with ancient forts, India became witness to many huge palaces and forts in the era of Kings and Emperors. Evidence of which can be seen even today. At present many ancient forts are still standing in their early stages where as many forts have been converted into ruins. Even today these ruins can be seen in many states of India. Many deserted ruins of India are very famous for tourism while some are notorious for their mysteries and hunted environment. Today we are going to discuss about one such fort which is in Pohari village of Shivpuri City in Madhya Pradesh which has history inside itself.Pohari is a small village situated approximately 35 km from Shivpuri and 160 km from Gwalior city in Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the 230 Legislative Assembly Constituencies of Madhya Pradesh. This constituency came into existence in 1951. It is also famous for temples mainly – Ganesha Temple and Jal Mandir. Some people also know it for its so called hunted fort. 

Pohari Fort

The ruined fort lie on the bank of ancient lake to the south of Pohari. The fort of Pohari is a beautiful specimen of carving and said to be 2100 years old. It is said to have been built by Kachhwaha rulers of Narwar. It was under the Scindia Dynasty and the Jaagir of pohari was given to Sardar Sithole by Scindia. Sithole served the Princely state of Gwalior being chieftains of Scindias. They were biggest Jagirdar ,once served as Deputy Governor of Delhi, their Jagir included 255 Villages of Pargana Pune, 108 villages of Sonipat and Panipat, 62 villages from Varangao (Khandesh), Baleghat, Jafarabad, Hoshingabad e.t.c  areas of North India. The fort also witnessed a battle between British and Tatya Tope in 1858.

Today, there is only a few places left in this fort, Everything else has been ruined.

Bada Mahal Pohari

Bada Mahal Pohari - There exists a three storeyed haveli on the left bank of the local lake inside the fort. It is said to have been built by Narwar  Kachhawaha rulers. The Palace is a superb example of Rajput architecture. The Roof of the Palace is palanquin shaped a portion of which is now ruined. The roof is decorated with small arched Chhatris,Chhajjas,Kanguras and railing. It is made of stones,bricks and lime.

Rani Mahal Pohari

Rani Mahal Pohari – There exists a two-storeyed palace between Bada Mahal and Diwan Mahal inside the fort. The lower storey has been closed by local people, but the second storey is still in its original shape.It was probably built by Maratha Rulers. Small rooms, pillars and arched verandahs are built in it.

Old Palace Pohari

Old Palace Pohari – There stands a three storeyed square Haveli in the southern end of Pohari fort. Its main entrance gate is to the north and its arched door is very beautiful. A Chhatri based on 12 pillars is built on the gate where the rulers used to sit. Inside the palace there is an open courtyard, on both sides of which a two storeyed pillared baradari is built. It might have been Diwan-i-Khas. The arches of the gates are of Mughal style. Entire palace is built of bricks, stones and lime. Its architecture represents a synthesis of Mughal and Rajput Styles.

Ikchapurti Ganesh Mandir Pohari

Ganesh Mandir - The Ganesh Temple of Pohari was built by Scindia Dynasty. The Jagirdarni of Pohari State, Balabai Shitole brought a statue of Ganesha from Pune  Maharastra and made a temple in Pohari. The Ganesha statue is installed right in front of Rani Mahal. In  the year 1913 Vishwanath Khandalkar started looking after this temple. Since then 4 generations have been serving Ganesha. The Arti of temple is performed when the moon comes out. The devotees come here every Wednesday and chauth. But on Ganesh Chaturthi this temple is quite crowded. Devotees comes here from every corner of the country.

There are some stories about fort that this fort is hunted and the people of pohari says that they had seen the ghost of Khanderao shithole. The story behind it is as soon as Khanderao took charge of the fort, he got the news of the treasure being buried here. Khanderao searched for treasure in every corner of the fort. Because of this, every part of the fort was dug up, but the treasure was not found. Khanderao himself mysteriously disappeared in the fort. Scindia's army searched Khanderao, but they didnt found him.After this the singing and creepy voices started coming from the fort at night. It seemed that some of the guests were decorated and Khanderao himself was present there. After hearing the ghost's voice, Scindia's soldiers fled and the fort was deserted.

At Present the fort is in a state of disrepair. About half of Pohari population lives inside the fort. The ignorance of the people and some extent the government has transformed a unique fort  and indias heritage into a ruins.

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