Basohli Fort A historic gem in Shivalik hills awaits urgent restoration

Sunny Dua
Tucked away in the verdant embrace of the Shivalik hills, the Basohli Fort in Jammu and Kashmir stands as a crumbling testament to a glorious past, its weathered stones whispering tales of royalty and resilience. Once a beacon of power and artistry, this historic fort is now fading into obscurity, marred by ruins and encroachments that threaten to erase its legacy.Ignored restoration by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for reasons better known it and also neglected by successive governments in Jammu and Kashmir, this very important fort is persistently fading into oblivion.
Overlooking the picturesque town of Basohli once known as Vishwasthali and the serene river Ravi, its scenic location amidst lush greenery holds immense potential to be revitalized as a captivating attraction for tourists and historians alike, if only its heritage could be reclaimed and restored. Scattered in an area of 49 Kanals 17 Marlas, ruins of Basholi fort are just 125 km from Jammu and 70 km from Kathua. The fort is accessible via well-laid roads from Jammu, Pathankot, and Kathua, with the iconic Atal Setu bridge reducing travel distances and enhancing connectivity.
Despite such a good accessibility, inordinate delay in its restoration is not only damaging the main structure and beautiful arches or half buried halls which had frescos and were known for their air conditioning techniques but also encouraging encroachments at its entrance and sides. The manner locals or government departments are constructing rooms, sheds and stairs around the fort, this surely is going to damage not only the aesthetics but also engage authorities in unnecessary litigations and confrontations leading to further delay in the restoration of this fort to its lost glory.
In the name of remains, some beautiful arched structures, columns, entrances, huge walls, steps, cluster of few rooms, passages, marks of sewages, traces of horizontal terracotta pipes inserted in the walls made out of Nanak Shahi bricks for air-conditioning besides foundations are still donning the area which establishes that the fort might have been a five to seven-storied beautiful structure having lawns, corridors, battlements, watch towers and parapets depending upon the which side of the fort we visit. The fort presently is having an entrance through a staircase of an equally old and important temple that’s locates near a lotus pond, walls of which also align with the materials used in the boundary wall of Basholi fort.
The Palace featured an innovative cooling system using evaporative technology, with water running through a network within the walls to keep rooms cool in summer, while hot water circulated through the same pipes to warm rooms in winter. However, significant portions of the fort and palace complex, including the Rang Mahal, were lost by the mid-1930s, with further damage in subsequent years due to neglect by successive State Governments and the 2005 earthquake, resulting in the loss of much of the structure.
Through some local enquiries it was revealed that tourism department is presently maintaining the fort and have developed some beautiful lawns on the back side and the passages are regularly being cleaned and cleared off weeds but this is not enough to keep the fort remains intact unless its completely restored. The fort needs a robust and tenacious roadmap so that it could be reconstructed and restored to its lost glory.
The Basohli Fort, constructed way back in 1635 by Raja Bhupat Pal, holds greater historical value than even the Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex in Jammu, which began in 1710 under Raja Dhruv Dev, due to its earlier origins and cultural significance as the seat of the Basohli kingdom, renowned for its miniature painting tradition. The Basohli Fort, with phased additions like the Rang Mahal and Sheesh Mahal by Raja Mahinder Pal in 1782, reflects the architectural and artistic evolution of a prominent hill state over centuries, serving as a testament to the region’s early political and cultural identity.
In contrast, Mubarak Mandi, while expansive and architecturally diverse due to contributions from rulers like Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1874 and the Rani Charak Mahal in 1915, primarily represents the later Dogra dynasty’s administrative and residential grandeur. Restoring the Basohli Fort would be of greater value, as it preserves a rarer, older heritage site tied to the unique Basohli art school and early regional history, offering immense potential for cultural tourism and historical research compared to the relatively well-documented Mubarak Mandi.
Some of the arches, walls and columns of the fort are still having frescos painted on them and any good architectural and aesthetical knowhow about the subject can definitely raise the fort from ashes to a glorious and iconic structure only to attract tourists in large numbers. It is believed that the department of archives, archaeology and museums of Jammu and Kashmir government might take up the restoration of this important fort that’s older than Mubarak Mandi complex and holds historic and archival values under restoration and revival scheme, but the department is yet to reveal its cards.
It’s also very likely that before taking up the restoration work in hand the same very department might notify this structure so that it’s declared as protected monument and is restored accordingly. Founded in 1635 by Raja Bhupat Pal, a Balouria ruler, Basohli Fort was a cornerstone of the erstwhile Basohli kingdom, a prosperous realm renowned for its cultural and artistic contributions. The fort served as a vital administrative and defensive stronghold, symbolizing the region’s autonomy and influence in the Jammu region. Despite it lying in ruins, the remains of the fort attract a large number of tourists and heritage enthusiasts.
The fort, as the seat of the ruling family, was a hub for patronage of Basholi paintings, fostering a legacy that earned Basohli the title of “Wonders of Hills” by a renowned international traveller. Its historical significance is further underscored by its role in the famous Sikh-Mughal Battle of Basohli, a testament to its strategic importance in regional conflicts.
The story of downfall of this fort goes like in the shadow of Basohli’s ancient hills, a Raja strung a perilous tightrope between his palace and the Mata Chanchlo Temple’s fortified peak, daring anyone to cross the dizzying chasm for his kingdom. A fearless court dancer, with grace defying gravity, took up the challenge, her steps steady on the swaying rope. As she neared triumph, the Raja’s heart faltered; in a fit of treachery, he ordered the rope severed. The dancer plummeted to her doom, her final breath cursing the Raja’s fort to crumble into eternal ruins, its glory forever lost to the winds of betrayal.
Perched like a silent sentinel atop a modest hill in Basohli, at 1,876 feet, the ancient Basohli Fort gazes over the undulating Shivalik hills and the emerald shimmer of the Ranjit Sagar Dam, its waters weaving a near-landlocked sanctuary. Encircled by whispering Chir and Deodar forests, the fort melds wild splendor with echoes of a storied past. Yet, the journey through nature’s embrace, winding along verdant paths, leads to a poignant revelation: the fort’s crumbled ruins, stark against the vibrant landscape, whisper tales of faded glory to every heart that ventures nearby.
The Basohli Fort, perched strategically in the Shivalik ranges, was once a formidable stronghold divided into two distinct sections. The lower part housed administrative quarters and royal residences, serving as the nerve centre of the kingdom’s governance. Meanwhile, the hilltop fort, with its commanding view over the Ravi River, provided a defensive vantage point, blending military might with scenic splendour. This elevated position not only bolstered its strategic importance but also lent an air of grandeur, making it a symbol of Basohli’s cultural and political prominence during its heyday in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The decline of Basohli Fort mirrors the shifting tides of regional power and prolonged neglect. After the Sikh-Mughal Battle of Basohli, the fort’s significance dwindled as political focus gravitated toward emerging capitals like Jammu. Left unattended, the structure succumbed to natural decay, exacerbated by encroachments from nearby settlements. By the 19th century, what was once a thriving hub had fallen into ruin, its walls crumbling under the weight of time. Today, the fort stands as a shadow of its former self, with its historical legacy overshadowed by the lack of preservation efforts, leaving its architectural and cultural value largely forgotten.
The fading glory of Basohli extends beyond its fort to its once-vibrant cultural heritage. Known for its exquisite school of painting and intricate pashmina shawls, Basohli now struggles to preserve these traditions, with the art of painting barely sustained by a handful of artisans and shawl weaving nearly extinct. A nearby centuries-old mint, another relic of Basohli’s past, faces similar neglect, its stability threatened by unauthorized digging of the hillock on which it stands. Restoration of the fort and these cultural landmarks could revive Basohli as a heritage destination, drawing visitors to explore its rich history and artistic legacy, but without urgent action, this storied town risks losing its identity to the ravages of time.
Basohli Fort, nestled at 32.50°N 75.82°E in the Shivalik hills at an elevation of 460 meters, stands as a testament to Jammu and Kashmir’s rich historical and cultural legacy, despite its diminished state. Once a vibrant centre surrounded by principalities like Ramnagar, Bhaderwah, and Chamba, and now accentuated by the proximity of the Ranjit Sagar Dam, Basohli’s strategic location and historical significance, recognized by its 1914 Tehsil status, underscore its potential as a thriving tourism hub. The fort’s architectural remnants, though marred by neglect and encroachments, hold immense value as a heritage site. Restoring this forgotten jewel is not merely a matter of preservation but a vital step toward reviving its legacy, ensuring that future generations can appreciate its historical grandeur and fostering sustainable tourism that breathes new life into the region.
(The writer is senior journalist)

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