The Bahu Fort in Jammu is a historic fortress representing the lavishness of the Dogra kings and the royal family that resided to rule the region. Located on the left bank of the river Tawi in Jammu, it’s considered one of the oldest forts in the city, originally constructed by Raja Bahulochan over 3,000 years ago . Bahu Fort Jammu has witnessed many battles and has been graced by renowned warriors, including Maharaja Gulab Singh and Maharaja Pratap Singh.
Here are Interesting Facts About Bahu Fort Jammu:
Founding of Bahu Town and Fort : Raja Bahulochan founded Bahu town and fort around 1000 BC on the rocky plateau of the left bank of Tawi, known as Tuhi in Nilamata Purana.
Bave Wali Mata Temple : Inside the fort lies a temple dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Kali, the presiding deity of Jammu, locally known as ‘Bave Wali Mata’ .
Original Name of Bahu Town : Bahu town was initially called Dhaara Nagri (धारा नगरी) .
Seat of Kingdom : The fort remained the seat of the kingdom until Jammu’s present site was converted into the new seat of the kingdom at Mubarak Mandi .
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Founding by Bahulochan : Bahulochan, the eldest son of Agnigarv II, king of Sialkot, founded Bahu after defeating the local king of Dhaara Nagri .
Founding of Jammu : His younger brother, Jambulochan, later founded Jammu on the opposite bank of the river Tawi .
Reconstruction and Renovation : The original Bahu fort was not that strong and eroded over time. It was first reconstructed by Avtar Dev, grandson of Kapoor Dev, king of Bahu of later years. The fort was also renovated by Maharaja Gulab Singh and Maharaja Ranbir Singh in the late 19th century. The renovation was done during Sikh rule by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1820. Dogra rulers did some beautification later on.
Architecture : The fort is about 1000 feet located at an elevation, opposite the old town of Jammu. The fort has eight octagonal turrets connected with thick walls. The towers have cnclosures to house guards. The main entry is fit to allow passage of elephants into the fort. On the left entry into the fort is a water tank, which is 6.1×61 meters in size and a water depth of 4.6 meters. A pyramidal structure is on the right flank used as ammunition store. An underground chamber is used as a prison. This Chamber has a secret exist to escape from the fort in case of any emergencies. The first floor is lavishly built with arches and decorated with floral designs like a Baradari or a palace.
Architectural Materials : The fort’s construction materials include sandstones and stones .
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Knowing these fascinating facts will surely make your visit to Bahu Fort Jammu. The entire complex holds great historical significance, reminding us of the days when the Jammu Rajas ruled over a vast region from the banks of Chandrabhaga to Ravi. Consequently, the fort has strong historical and cultural connections with the people of Jammu.
