Loharu Fort in Bhiwani district now protected monument

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, November 23

The Loharu Fort in Bhiwani district, built in 1570 and spread over 64 kanals, has been notified as a protected monument by the Haryana Government. The government will start the conservation of this ancient monument which is linked to Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib.

The Deputy Director of the Haryana Archaeology Department, Banani Bhattacharya, said the state government had declared the building of the fort as protected monument and archaeological site and open areas adjoining the building as the protected area under the Haryana Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1964.

Bhattacharya said the state government had decided to conserve the site. “Now, the state Public Works Department will prepare the budget estimate and the Archaeology Department will bear the cost of the works,” he said.

The ancient fort has been facing decades of official apathy. The people residing in the town are also unaware of the historical importance of the site and the entire place has turned into a hideout for anti-social elements.

Bhattacharya said the total area of the fort was about 64 kanal and 18 marla (about eight acres) located in the interior of Loharu town. The fort was built in 1570 by Thakur Arjun Singh as a ‘kuccha’ mud fort and stayed as such till 1800. The fort witnessed two major conflicts and later was taken control of by the state of Alwar. It later became the ‘paragana’ under the state of Ferozpur Jhirka, which was ruled by Nawab Ahmed Baksh Khan in 1803. Then the ‘pucca’ construction of the fort started which turned out to be an interesting blend of three styles of architecture, including Rajputs, Mughals and British styles, stated the notification of the Haryana Government.

The Loharu Fort is famously known as the ‘sasural’ of acclaimed Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib who was married to Umrao Begum, daughter of Mirza Ilahi Bakhsh Khan, younger brother of the Nawab of Loharu Ahmad Bakhsh Khan. Though the present generation of residents does not have much knowledge about its history, the culture and architecture lovers maintained that the Loharu Fort was an attraction for heritage experts and should be protected and developed as a tourist spot, so that its historical importance could be preserved.

Looking back

The Loharu Fort is famously known as the ‘sasural’ of acclaimed Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib who was married to Umrao Begum, daughter of Mirza Ilahi Bakhsh Khan, younger brother of Nawab of Loharu Ahmad Bakhsh Khan.

PWD to make budget

The state Public Works Department will prepare the budget estimate and the Archaeology Department will bear the cost of the works. Banani Bhattacharya, Dy Director, Hry Archaeology Department