Tera Fort

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Tera Fort is one of the many forts of Kutch, Gujarat, India. It is situated in southwestern Kutch near the village of Tera in Abdasa Taluka.

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Location

Tera Fort lies eighty-five kilometres west of the town of Bhuj. It dominates the plains of Kutch from its position on the banks of Tretara (Three lakes) namely Chattasar, Sumerasar and Chatasar. [1] [2]

History

Tera Fort was built by one of the Jadeja Chiefs, who was given the estate of Tera during the reign of Deshalji I (1718-1741). [3]

Tera Fort was badly damaged in a war that was fought during the reign of Maharao Lakhpatji (ruled 1741-1760). Sumraji Thakore of Tera, the chief of Tera Estate, spoke badly of the Rao of Kutch. Lakhpatji sent an army to Tera, to subdue the revolt. For the first time in history of Kutch, artillery power was used in war. This artillery was set up by the famous Ram Singh Malam. [4] The cannon power destroyed most of the fort. The war ended after three months of siege, when Sumraji surrendered and gave a formal apology for his remarks. [5]

The walls of the fort was damaged in 1819 Rann of Kutch earthquake which were repaired later. [6]

The fort is now one of the tourist attractions of the Kutch. [7]

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Ram Singh Malam was a navigator, architect and craftsman from 18th century Kutch region of India. When his ship got wrecked on a voyage, he was rescued by a Dutch ship which brought him to Holland. He learned several European craft skills there, which were introduced to Kutch upon his return. Despite being patronised by the ruler of Kutch for whom he built palaces including Aina Mahal and memorials, he is celebrated as a maritime folk hero whose artistic influence is still found in the region.

References

  1. Tera fort | Tera fort in Kutchh Gujarat India | Fort of Kutchh | Fort of Gujarat | Nri Gujarati Tourism Places Tera fort
  2. Forts & Fortresses | KutchForever.com
  3. "History of Kutch". KutchForever.com.
  4. Lethbridge, Roper (1893). The Golden Book of India: A Genealogical and Biographical Dictionary of the Ruling Princes, Chiefs, Nobles, and Other Personages, Titled Or Decorated, of the Indian Empire. London: Macmillan. p.  274. OCLC   3104377.
  5. Williams, L. F. Rushbrook (1958). The Black Hills: Kutch in History and Legend: A study in Indian local loyalties. Weidenfeld and Nicolson. p. 137.
  6. Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Cutch, Palanpur, and Mahi Kantha. Printed at the Government Central Press. 1880. p. 252.
  7. tera fort Photo from Incredible India Archived 2011-08-11 at the Wayback Machine