Akhnoor Fort


Akhnoor Fort is on the right bank of Chenab River. Construction was started by Raja Tegh Singh in 1762 CE and completed by his successor Raja Alam Singh in 1802. On 17th of June 1822 Maharaja Ranjeet Singh crowned Maharaja Gulab Singh at the fort's Jia Pota ghat on Chenab's riverbank.
The fort has high fortification walls with bastions at regular intervals and is crowned with battlements. There are two-storeyed watch-towers at the corners, which are crowned by battlements and merlons. The fort has two parts which are bifurcated by a wall with a gate leading to the palace on the southern side. The palace is two-storeyed, and the walls facing the courtyard have decorated arches, some of which contain mural paintings.
Access to Akhnoor Fort is obtained through both the riversides and the northern side. Formerly, a large part of the fort was in ruins; conservation work is in progress.

History

The Akhnoor Fort was perched upon an ancient site, locally known as Manda, which has been subjected to a limited excavation, which in turn has exposed a threefold sequence of culture.