Forts of Anandpur sahib: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Gurudwara_Shri_Kesgarh.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Fort Keshgarh]]
[[Image:Gurudwara_Shri_Kesgarh.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Fort Keshgarh]]
'''Five Qilas Anandpur sahib''' are the five forts which was constructed by [[Guru Gobind Singh]]. The [[Guru]] spent 25 years at [[Anandpur sahib]] and to protect the [[Sikh]]s from the growing animosity of the hill [[Raja]]s and their [[Mughal]] allies, the Guru began the construction of five defensive [[Qila]]s (Persian for forts). One central fort with four others encircling the town. There are many other forts tioo in anandpur sahib but mainly the following five forts are considered as the strongest fort of the city during the guru ji's time.
'''Five Qilas of Anandpur sahib''' are the five forts which was constructed by [[Guru Gobind Singh]]. The [[Guru]] spent 25 years at [[Anandpur sahib]] and to protect the [[Sikh]]s and the local community from the growing animosity of the hill [[Raja]]s and their [[Mughal]] allies, the Guru began the construction of five defensive [[Qila]]s (Persian for forts). One central fort with four others encircling the town. There are many other forts tioo in anandpur sahib but mainly the following five forts are considered as the strongest fort of the city during the guru ji's time.


The  [[Panj]] (five) forts or [[Qila]]s contructed by [[Guru Gobind Singh]] at [[Anandpur sahib]] are:
The  [[Panj]] (five) forts or [[Qila]]s contructed by [[Guru Gobind Singh]] at [[Anandpur sahib]] are:

Revision as of 16:34, 7 July 2008

Fort Keshgarh

Five Qilas of Anandpur sahib are the five forts which was constructed by Guru Gobind Singh. The Guru spent 25 years at Anandpur sahib and to protect the Sikhs and the local community from the growing animosity of the hill Rajas and their Mughal allies, the Guru began the construction of five defensive Qilas (Persian for forts). One central fort with four others encircling the town. There are many other forts tioo in anandpur sahib but mainly the following five forts are considered as the strongest fort of the city during the guru ji's time.

The Panj (five) forts or Qilas contructed by Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur sahib are:

Qila Anandgarh
  1. Keshgarh - Keshgarh is the name given to the main fort that the tenth Master constructed in Anandpur sahib. The fort is now the Takhat called Keshgarh Sahib. This Gurdwara was one of the five forts constructed by Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib for the defence of the Sikhs and the community. All the forts were joined together with earthworks and underground tunnels. The construction began in 1689 and took over ten years to complete. Guru Gobind Singh used to hold congregations on this hill. Revelation of Khalsa and first inititation (Khande Di Pahul) took place here. At that time the hill of Keshgarh Sahib was at least 10-15 feat higher than its present height. It was buit in 1699. it was a very strong fort and before reaching the gates of this fort the armies had to capture the fort at Taragarh, Agamgarh, Fatehgarh and Anandgarh. This could not happen even once in the history of Anandpur Sahib untill guru gobind singh jee left the city.
    Qila Lohgarh
  2. Lohgarh (fort of steel) - Lohgarh was second strongest Qila after Qila Anandgarh sahib as it was on southern side of city Guru Sahib had set up a factory for manufacturing of arms. The hill armies attacked city Anandpur sahib many times but hesitated to attack the Qila as they wonn't be able to break its gate. It is situated at one and a half kilometre southwest of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, marks the site of the fort of that name constructed by Guru Gobind Singh to pro-tect the riverside flank of Anandpur. It was here that Bhai Bachchittar Singh faced and turned back a drunken elephant which the hill chiefs, during their siege of Anandpur in 1700, had sent to batter down the gate of this fort. Here the arms were also mantufactured.
    Qila Fatehgarh
  3. Agamgarh or Holgarh (fort of colour) - Agamgarh or Holgarh was a qila where Guru Gobind Singh introduced in the spring of 1701, the cel-ebration of hola on the day following the Hindu festival of colour-throwing, holi. Unlike the playful sprinkling of colours as is done during holi, the Guru made hola an occasion for Sikhs to demonstrate skills-al-arms in simulated battle. It is about one and a half km north-west of the town across the Charan Gariga rivulet. It was the third strongest fort built by Guru Gobind Singh ji.
    Qila Holgarh
  4. Anandgarh (fort of bliss) - Anandgarh is one from five Kilas Built By Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji for the protection of sikhs from Hill rulers. In Gurudwara Sahib also there is Sacred Baoli Sahib. It is situated in the middle of town Shri Anandpur Sahib on another spur, about 800 metres south-east of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib.
  5. Fatehgarh (fort of victory) - Fatehgarh was built By Shri Guru Gobind Singh to defend the Anandpur Sahib city in the territory of sahota village. When this Qila was built Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji was born hence it was named as Qila Fatehgarh Sahib. It is situated on the northern outskirts of the town of Anandpur, marks the site of another fortress bearing this name. This Fort reminds long long struggle between the mughals and great defender of 'Anandpuri'.

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