Manauli Fort

Manauli, Punjab, India

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Manauli Fort in Punjab, India, is a historic fort located in the village of Manauli near Mohali, built in the 17th century by the Mughals and later taken over by Nawab Kapur Singh of the Singhpuria Misl in the 18th century.

The fort played a key role in Punjab's military history, notably as the site of fierce battles between Mughal forces and Sikh warriors led by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, marking the establishment of Khalsa rule in the region.

Architecturally, it features a three-story structure made of bricks and mortar, with four rounded towers at its corners standing about 30 to 35 feet tall, topped with pointed barriers. The fort was originally elevated about 20 feet above the surrounding village to enhance defense and includes embrasures for guns and a separate enclosure for women.

Although historically significant, the fort today suffers from neglect and is in a state of partial ruin, with overgrown vegetation and crumbling walls, reflecting both its rich past and the urgent need for preservation.