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This blog dives into the tales, legends, and experiences surrounding this architectural wonder called the Bhadra Fort of Ahmedabad.
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Ahmedabad’s history is a treasure trove of architectural marvels, but amidst the bustling streets and contemporary charm of the city lies a hidden gem that often gets overlooked — Bhadra Fort. While the city’s newer attractions catch the attention of tourists, Bhadra Fort stands as a silent testament to Gujarat's rich past, an ancient structure cloaked in both grandeur and mystery. Let’s dive into the tales, legends, and experiences surrounding this architectural wonder.
Nestled in the heart of Ahmedabad, Bhadra Fort was once the beating heart of the city’s governance and power. Built in 1411 AD by Sultan Ahmad Shah, the founder of Ahmedabad, this fort isn’t just a marvel of military architecture but also a place that witnessed the evolution of the city through centuries. As you approach the fort, its mighty arches and thick stone walls whisper stories of the days when it stood as the symbol of strength and authority for the Gujarat Sultanate.
Bhadra Fort’s unique red stone structure gives it a rustic charm. Even after centuries of wear and tear, the fort has a unique ability to transport you to the medieval era, making you wonder what life must have been like within its walls.
Bhadra Fort isn't just a simple fort — it’s a sprawling complex that once housed palaces, mosques, and grand courtyards. As you walk through the fort, the remnants of these structures can still be felt, even though they’ve been weathered down by time.
The Teen Darwaza, the three-arched gateway that once formed the royal entrance to the fort, is an architectural masterpiece in itself. The intricate carvings on the arches hint at the craftsmanship and the attention to detail of the time. Standing beneath the Teen Darwaza, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe as you imagine the royal processions that once passed through these grand gates.
While the fort’s primary structure is impressive, the Bhadrakali Temple, located within the fort complex, holds spiritual significance. Built in the 15th century, this temple is dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakali, a fierce form of Goddess Durga. Even today, locals come here to offer prayers, maintaining a tradition that’s over 500 years old.
Like any ancient structure, Bhadra Fort is steeped in legends. One such story revolves around the fort’s name. It’s believed that the fort was named after the goddess Bhadrakali, whose temple resides within the complex. Legend has it that the fort was blessed by the goddess herself, ensuring that the city of Ahmedabad would prosper under its protective shadow.
Another fascinating tale surrounds Azam Khan’s Palace, which is a part of the Bhadra Fort complex. The palace, which is now mostly in ruins, was once the residence of Azam Khan, a Mughal governor. It’s said that this palace was a masterpiece of its time, with gardens, water fountains, and intricate stonework that rivalled even the Mughal palaces in Delhi. Though little remains of the original palace, standing in its ruins and imagining its former glory is an experience in itself.
One intriguing aspect of Bhadra Fort is its connection to the city’s independence movement. During British rule, the fort served as a jail for freedom fighters. Walking through the fort today, you can still sense the defiance and hope that must have resonated through its stone walls during those tumultuous times.
There is a famous clock tower in the Bhadra Fort, which was erected in 1878 by Britishers. The clock was famously built in London in 1849, and it is said the tower was lit up with lamps filled with kerosene, which added to its beauty. However, with the advent of electricity, the kerosene lamps were replaced by electric lights in 1915.
Bhadra Fort is located centrally, as it is connected by road, railway, and airport. Let’s see how you can reach the fort.
If you are travelling from the nearby state of Rajasthan, you can find a number of buses, both public and private, from cities like Udaipur, Chittor, Bikaner, etc. You can reach the destination by road. You can also travel by your own vehicle or hire a taxi when you are visiting the area. You can choose to book your buses via Adani One and save on your ticket.
2. Air
Ahmedabad is well connected via Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. You can book your air ticket through Adani One, where you will find a host of airport services that you can book without worrying about your air journey. From the airport, you can book a cab to reach Bhadra Fort.
You can choose to travel via train to Ahmedabad Junction and get a local cab, or city transport to reach Bhadra Fort. For a seamless train ticket booking, choose Adani One by booking your train ticket now.
The fort that bears testimony to our past is strategically placed in the centre of the city. There aren’t any royals who ride on their horseback or carriage from the fort like they would have done some centuries ago. Today, the royal residence is flanked by a bustling marketplace, which lends the traveller a peep into the soul of the city, a resilience that keeps the heritage of the city alive through the cacophony of the vehicles, hawkers, and people of this town.
The majestic presence of the fort sings the story of the past through its stately compound and welcoming tourists and locals alike, just like the Ahmedabad city. Like any other historical monument in the country, the fort is alive and taken over by its people, who would have built it in a past life. There is a strange harmony between the modern city and ancient monument, blending a perfect slice of the richness of the region.
Ahmedabad is most alive during Navaratri. The fort becomes a centre where people come together to enjoy the nine-day celebrations. With music, shopping, and dance, the fort shines proud of its people’s culture.
Visiting Bhadra Fort takes you on a journey through the essence of Gujarat, touching on its past and witnessing the present in front of you. From the time the city was built in the 15th Century to the era of modernisation, every layer of its evolution is unfolded in front of your eyes. The place becomes a metaphor: its heart, its prosperity, and the hard work of the people to place it on the global map by proud Gujaratis.
If you are planning to visit the fort, we recommend you cover most of it in the morning or early evenings when the sun is a little less brazen. The fort looks warm and beautiful in the golden hue of the sunlight, adding to its colour. If you like diving deep into history, it is recommended that you hire a local guide who will describe the whole place in detail and give you all the details about the history, art and architecture of the place.
People might argue that there is so much more to see in Ahmedabad than to look at a medieval structure that requires a lot of time and effort to walk, halt and admire the things of the past. However, there are some who take time to decipher the stones that built this structure. If the past excites you and makes you wonder about the times when the fort was a seat of power, you should not miss the experience. It will make you wiser when you contemplate the stories that this fort holds in its heart.
Make your next visit to Ahmedabad a little more special by spending some time at Bhadra Fort and strolling through the marketplace. When you open yourself to this heritage of the past, you might take a story or two home.
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