Uttar Pradesh is a land of forts and there are many here to entice tourists looking for a unique experience while imbibing a slice of history during their visit to this state. Here is a list of some of the most popular forts of the state.

Most of the forts of Uttar Pradesh are majestic in size, design and structure. Some of the ancient structures that were damaged due to negligence and the effects of time and nature’s vagaries were renovated by the governments of the day under the guidance of experts. There is ample evidence of the Indian and colonial architecture in the designing of these forts.

The interiors of the most of the forts are aristocratic but with tourists making a steady beeline from India and abroad to these forts, many modern amenities were added to them to provide tourists greater convenience and keep them coming. It has helped the state add more money to their coffers as there has been a steady increase in the number of tourists visiting the state in recent years.

The top forts in the state have become a wonderful weekend getaway for tourists. A few of them have been converted into heritage hotels, at least in portions, to provide a wonderful staying experience.

Uttar Pradesh is home to many small and large forts spread across various districts of the state. Visitors can have a great time visiting these forts and learning more about the history associated with each one of them.

Allahabad Fort

This is a massive fort standing majestically on the banks of the Yamuna River. It was built  by Akbar in 1583 AD and is considered unique because of its architecture. The fort has three splendid galleries with high towers rising into the sky besides them. Saraswati Koop, the source of Saraswati River is said to be located inside the fort’s precincts along with the famous Patalpuri temple and the Akshaya Vat - the eternal Banyan tree is also located inside the fort. The polished sandstone Ashoka Pillar, which is 10.6 meters in height built in 232 B.C during the Mauryan Empire, is a major attraction of the place.

Jhansi Fort

It is known as one of the most fortified forts, not only in UP but also in India. It was constructed in the early 17th century to provide protection to the army. The fort is best known for the mutiny of 1857 which was led by Rani Lakshmi Bai, the ruler of Jhansi. The fort offers a great view of the surroundings from its ramparts. The Kadak Bijli tank is a famous place within the fort. Within the fort is a museum which has a wonderful collection of sculptures which capture the history of the Bundelkhand region vividly. Visitors must be careful of the aggressive monkeys inhabiting the surroundings.

Kalinjar Fort

This is one of the most popular forts of the state and also one with a rich history. It is located in the Banda district of Uttar Pradesh. It was built at the beginning of the 2nd Millennium by the Chandela kings and stands conspicuously on the Vindhya Range. The fort is huge in all dimensions. There are two entrances to the fort and several gateways. These include the Alam Darwaza, the Ganesha Darwaza, the Chandi Darwaza and the Hanuman Darwaza. One of the biggest attractions of the place is the Neelakantha or the great lingam temple situated in the center of the side facing west. It is regarded as an architectural masterpiece.

The Ramnagar Fort

The red sandstone and beautifully designed Ramnagar Fort is situated on the bank opposite of the Ganga and is just a few minutes drive from Varanasi. It was home to the Maharaja of Banaras and was built in the  eighteenth century. The Ramnagar fort has a temple within its grounds which is dedicated to the famous writer Ved Vyasa who wrote the epic Mahabharata. There is a temple also within the fort dedicated to the writer who is believed to have stayed here for some time. The Ramnagar fort is also popular for its collection of royal items which includes vintage cars, Palkhi, swords, old guns, ivory work and antique clocks. Elaborately designed palanquins, gold-plated items and weapons used in warfare are on display here.

The Agra Fort

The red fort of Agra is in the vicinity of the iconic monument Taj Mahal and is gets nearly as many visitors as the Taj.  It is an important Mughal monument built somewhere in the 16th century. It is a powerful red stone fortress which has enclosure walls extending to as long as 2.5 kilometers.

The fort is home to many palaces build by Shah Jahan such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal. Most of the structures are made of pure marble and have beautiful carvings. The emperor was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in this fort and he is believed to have died here in the Musamman Burj, a tower with a stunning marble balcony.