Rohtasgarh
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, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Rohtasgarh
Hill fort in the Sasaram subdivision of Shahabad District, Bengal, situated in 24 37' N. and 83 55' E., about 30 miles south of Sasaram town, overlooking the junction of the Koel with the Son river. Population (1901), 1,899. It- derives its name from the young prince Rohitaswa, son of Hans Chandra, king of the Solar race. Little or nothing is known concerning the persons who held the fort until 1 1 oo, when it is supposed to have belonged to Pratap Dhawala, father of the last Hindu king. Sher Shah captuied Rohtasgarh in 1539,an d immediately began to stiengthen the fortifications, but the woik had not piogiessed very far, when he selected a more favourable site in the neighbouihood at the place still known ab Shergarh Man Singh, Akbar's Hindu geneial, on being appointed viceroy of Bengal and Bihar, selected Rohtasgarh as his stronghold; and, according to two mscnptions in Sanskrit and Persian, erected many of the buildings now existing. When he died, the fortiess was attached to the office of Wazir of the emperor, by whom the governors weie appointed. The governor of the place in 1622-4 protected Shah Jahan's family when that prince as in lebelhon against his fathei Rohtasgarh was sunen- dered to the British soon after the battle of Buxar in 1764,
The remains of the fortress now occupy a part of the table-land, about 4 miles from east to west, and 5 miles from north to south, with a cucumference of nearly 28 miles On the south-east corner of the plateau is an old temple called Rohtasan, where an image of Rohitas^a was worshipped until destroyed by Aurangzeb. It is situated on a steep peak, and is approached by a great stone staircase arranged in groups of steps with successive landings. Close by is the temple of Hans Chandra, a giaceful building consisting of a small pillaied hall coveied by five domes. Within the gate at Raj Ghat there must have been a veiy considerable building, which is thought to have formed the piivate lesidence of the commandant Othei lemains, some of which date back to the time of Sher Shah, are scattered over the plateau. The most interesting of these is the palace 01 Mahalsarai, which is attributed to Man JSmgh. It is urcgulaily built without any aichitecLuial pretensions, the most striking building being the mam gateway, a massive structuie consisting of a laigc Gothic aich, with the figure of an elephant on each side The palace is, however, of gieat mtciest as being the only specimen of Mughal civil architecture in Bengal, and as giving an insight into the conditions of mihtaiy life undez that empire,
