Aligarh Fort

Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

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Aligarh Fort, located in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, was originally built in 1524-25 during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Lodi by Muhammad, son of Umar, the governor of Kol, the older name for Aligarh.

The fort gained significant strategic importance during the 18th century under Maratha rule, especially when French military engineers Benoît de Boigne and Perron modernized it in a European style in the mid-1700s. It was a key military stronghold during the Battle of Aligarh in 1803 when British forces captured it from the Marathas led by French officers.

The fort is noted for its high walls, strong bastions, and natural ravines that provided natural defense. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, troops stationed at the fort mutinied but spared their officers, who escaped.

Today, the fort is under the care of Aligarh Muslim University and hosts its Botany Department. Despite its current state of partial ruin, it remains a significant historical monument reflecting the diverse cultural and political history of the region.