Allahabad Fort

Allahabad Fort is a fort built by the Mughal emperor Akbar at Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India in 1583. The fort stands on the banks of the Yamuna near its confluence with the river Ganges. It is recognised by the Archaeological Survey of India as a monument of national importance.

Akbar's Fort was constructed in such a way that it enclosed the famous Akshayavat tree, where people would commit suicide in order to achieve salvation. The reason for this is not known, although some sources claim that he did it to prevent people from committing suicides. According to a local legend, Akbar was a Hindu ascetic named Mukunda Brahmachari in his previous birth. Once, by mistake, he consumed a cow's hair while drinking milk.

Horrified at this sin (cow being a holy animal), he committed suicide. He was born a mlechchha (non-Hindu) as a result of this sin, and was driven to build a fort at the holy Sangam.

The local Prayagwal Brahmins claim that Akbar repeatedly failed to construct the fort, because its foundation would sink in the sand each time. The emperor was told that a human sacrifice was required to proceed. A local Brahmin voluntarily sacrificed himself, and in return, Akbar granted his descendants - the Prayagwals - the exclusive rights of servicing the pilgrims at the Sangam.

The Allahabad Fort is the largest fort built by Akbar. In its prime, the fort was unrivalled for its design, construction and craftsmanship. This huge fort has three galleries flanked by high towers.

At present, the fort is used by the army and only a limited area is open to visitors. The outer wall is intact and rises above the water's edge. Inside the fort there is the Zenana, Palace of Mariam-uz-Zamani and the 3rd century BCE Ashoka pillar. The Saraswati Koop, said to be the source of the Saraswati river, and the Patalpuri temple are also here.

Allahabad Fort is the location of the much revered Akshayavat or "immortal tree". Legends say that if anyone jumps from this centuries-old banyan tree, he will attain immortality. Civilians are not allowed to see this tree. It is near the southern wall and is one among many trees that can be seen from outside the southern wall of the fort.

In the fort one railway track comes from the Allahabad Railway Station. This railway track was made by the East India Company for use during the war.

Getting There

The city is well connected with the rail lines to all major cities and towns so people will not face any difficulty in reaching the place smoothly and comfortably.

Allahabad has its own airport, Allahabad Airport. It is at a distance of 12 km (7.5 mi) from Allahabad city and is operational for domestic flights. The other nearby Airports are based in Varanasi, Lucknow and Kanpur.

Allahabad Junction is one of the major junctions in Northern India and there are many trains that connect it to several other places such as Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Bhopal, Kolkata and Jaipur. Four important railway stations of Allahabad are City Station at Rambagh, Daraganj Station, Prayag Station and Allahabad Station.

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