The Oldest Fort in India Isn’t Where You Think It Is
The Oldest Fort in India Isn’t Where You Think It Is
India’s history is etched into its forts, each telling stories of battles, empires, and traditions. Among them, Qila Mubarak in Bathinda, Punjab, is often recognized as the country’s oldest surviving fort, with roots tracing back nearly two thousand years.
Built around 90–100 CE during the Kushan dynasty under Emperor Kanishka, Qila Mubarak stands out for its early use of burnt bricks — a technique some archaeologists believe could link even further back to the Harappan era. Over the centuries, it was expanded and restored by rulers including the Mughals and the Sikhs, giving the fort layers of history in its walls.
Qila Mubarak is also tied to a dramatic chapter in Indian history: it is said that Razia Sultana, the only woman to rule the Delhi Sultanate, was imprisoned here. This legend adds to its aura as a site where history and folklore intertwine.
Yet, Qila Mubarak is not the only fort to claim this title. Kangra Fort in Himachal Pradesh is often mentioned in the same breath, though its claim rests more on mythology. Believed by some to date back to the Mahabharata era, the fort is linked to the Trigrata dynasty mentioned in ancient texts. However, its first recorded reference appears only around the 4th century CE.
Whether one accepts Qila Mubarak as the oldest based on archaeological evidence, or Kangra Fort as the oldest through legend, both remain priceless symbols of India’s heritage, standing as witnesses to centuries of change.
