Vijaygarh Fort

Bahera, Uttar Pradesh, India

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Vijaygarh Fort is a historically and archaeologically significant ruined fort located in Mau Kalan village near Bahera, Uttar Pradesh, India, about 30 km from Robertsganj in the Sonbhadra district.

Built originally by King Banasur from the time of the Mahabharata, and renovated by the Jadon Rajput king Vijay Pal in 1040 AD, the fort has seen rule by several dynasties including the Guptas, Gurjar Pratiharas, Chandels, Mughals under Emperor Akbar, and later the kings of Benaras, with Raja Chait Singh as its last ruler before British arrival. The fort is famous for its rock inscriptions, cave paintings, statues, and perennial ponds known as Mira Sagar and Ram Sagar that never dry up.

It houses ancient temples, a palace called Rang Mahal believed to be associated with the legendary Princess Chandrakanta, and a tomb of the Muslim saint Hazrat Meeran Shah Baba near the main gate. The fort is also noted for annual Urs fairs held in April and has cultural significance reinforced by its mention in the classic Hindi novel "Chandrakanta" by Devaki Nandan Khatri.

Nestled in the rugged hills of the Kaimur Range at an elevation of about 400 feet, Vijaygarh Fort remains a captivating site imbued with history, mystery, and local tradition.