Jasmergarh Fort Hiranagar

Jammu and Kashmir, India

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Jasmergarh Fort, also known as Hiranagar Fort, is a historic fort located in the town of Hiranagar in Jammu and Kashmir, India.

It was built in the mid-19th century by Raja Hira Singh, a Dogra noble and the son of Raja Dhyan Singh, during the Dogra rule in the region. The fort was strategically constructed on a hillock to serve as both a military outpost and an administrative center.

Made primarily of stone and lakhori bricks, the fort once housed a palace, prison complex, and had massive walls with decorated gateways, one of which was rebuilt in 1947 restoring the original lion motifs.

Although now partially in ruins, it still contains a temple dedicated to Mahakali, attracting devotees from the area. Historically, the fort was an important political and military site for the Jasrota Rajput clan and later under Dogra governance. Over time, it has been used as a district headquarters, a jail, and now functions as a paramilitary sub-station, reflecting its ongoing strategic importance.

Local efforts have recently focused on restoring and preserving the fort's structure and heritage.