Akhnoor Fort

The Akhnoor Fort is perched on a cliff, situated on a historical site by the banks of the river Chenab. This fort is said to be built on the ruins of a town from the Harappan Civilisation. This monument is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. 28 km from Jammu in the charming town of Akhnoor lies the impressive Akhnoor Fort. Loaded with rich fortifications meant to provide protection to its people, this fort is perched on a cliff, situated on a historical site by the banks of the river Chenab, said to date back to the Harappan civilisation.

This large fort is a great example of fine Indian military architecture. Built across two floors, the fort has thick, strong walls with bastions and two-storeyed watchtowers guarding its perimeter. Within the fort lies the grand palace of Raja Alum Singh, monarch of the fort. The walls facing the courtyard are decked with pretty decorative arches, adorned with exquisite mural paintings. This majestic fort may be accessed from the river or from the northern entry gate. Perched atop a hill, one receives breathtaking views of the Shivalik range and the Trikuta mountains, complemented perfectly with the Chenab river flowing below.

There is a lot of history associated with the land occupied by this monument. As per historical records, this fort was built on the ruins of the ancient Archaeological town of Manda, where remains of the Harappan civilisation and the Kushana dynasty have been found by Archaeologists. Due to its historical and cultural significance, it has been deemed a national monument and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.