Bandhogarh
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts.Many units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Bandhogarh
Old fort in Rewah State, and a place of consider- able archaeological and historical importance. The fort stands on a hill, 2,664 feet above sea-level, in 23 41' N. and 8i° 3' E., and includes the neighbouring Bamnia hill, also enclosed by a rampart and considered part of the fort. It is undoubtedly a place of antiquity, and was an important stronghold long before the Baghel dynasty acquired the country. Ptolemy mentions a Balantipyrgon as one of the towns of the Adeisathroi, and Cunningham has suggested that Adeisathroi is a Greek rendering of Haya Kshetra, the country of the Haihayas. Tradition assigns the early rule of this country to the Baland tribe, which would give some support to the identifica- tion, the names Balandipur and Balantipura being practically identical. In the thirteenth century it passed to the Baghelas as part of the dowry of the Kalachuri bride of Karan Deo Baghela, and became the centre from which this clan gradually extended their sway.
Muhammadan historians refer to it as Bandhu, and to the Baghel chief as Raja of Bandhu. In 1498-9 Sikandar LodI, annoyed at the Raja's refusing him his daughter in marriage, invested Bandhogarh, but ineffectually, and was obliged to retire, taking his revenge by sacking the country as far as Banda. The fort was invested by Asaf Khan in 1563, but the siege was raised on the intercession of other Rajas at Delhi. In 1597 disturbances arose at Bandhogarh and Raja Patr Das was sent to besiege the fort. After an investment of eight months and five days he took it, and subsequently became its governor.
Bandhogarh remained a Muhammadan possession till 1658, when it was restored to Raja Anup Singh of Rewah. It was, however, no longer the capital of the State, that position having been given to Rewah. A curious local legend that Akbar was born here is firmly believed. Many old remains are said to exist in the neigh- bourhood. [A. Cunningham, Archaeological Survey of Northern India, vol. vii, p. 22.]
