The Allahabad Fort: A Glimpse Of India's Rich History And Culture

Allahabad, a city in Uttar Pradesh, India, bears witness to centuries of rich Indian history. It is regarded as the country’s second oldest city after the nearby Varanasi. Allahabad is most well known for the Sangam which is where the three holiest rivers of India, the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati meet.

The city has often been mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures and bathing in the Sangam at Allahabad is the dream of many of India’s devout Hindus. Allahabad also has numerous temples and other Hindu pilgrimage sites that promise to offer Hindus with a soul-fulfilling experience. However, the city is not all about pilgrimages but much more. It has several historical attractions and offers an intense cultural experience to its visitors. Here we will explore the most important historical monument of Allahabad - the Allahabad Fort.

The Early History Of The Allahabad Fort

The Mughal emperor Akbar built the Allahabad Fort in 1583 near the Sangam on the banks of the Yamuna River. He named the fort Illahabas from where the name of the city was later derived. Illahabas means "blessed by God”. Several theories have been proposed as to why the Emperor established the fort at this location. One theory says that the Emperor did this to collect taxes from the large number of pilgrims who visit the Sangam. However, given the fact that Emperor Akbar abolished pilgrim taxes in 1563, the reason appears to be unlikely. It is also said that Akbar built the fort to enclose the Akshayavat tree where believers would commit suicide to attain salvation. By denying access to the tree, the Emperor could be protecting the people against suicide. Still another story claims that Akbar was a Hindu in his previous life who had committed suicide after consuming a cow’s hair by error and was born a non-Muslim. Driven by his past life’s influence, he built the fort at Allahabad.

True or not, the Prayagwal Brahmins, a local Brahmin community who service the pilgrims at the Sangam, claim that when Akbar initiated the construction of the fort, he failed since the foundation would sink into the sand every time. The Emperor was informed that only a human sacrifice could resolve the issue. A local Brahmin volunteered to be sacrificed and impressed by his selflessness, the Emperor granted the community to which he belonged, the exclusive rights of servicing the pilgrims.

The Allahabad Fort Post British Colonization Of India

The weakening Mughal rule in India and the rise to power of the British East India Company led to the signing of the Treaty of Allahabad following the Battle of Buxar whereby the British established a garrison at the fort that would protect the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II against other forces. However, Shah Alam’s policies soon angered the British who now proclaimed the Nawab of Awadh as the owner of the fort. The divide and rule policy of the British worked and finally in 1798, the Allahabad Fort came under the exclusive control of the British East India Company. 

The Allahabad Fort Post Indian Independence

After the independence of India in 1947, the Indian Army occupied the Allahabad Fort. Unlike the forts at Agra and Delhi where the army has pulled out its forces completely or partially, it remains in occupation of the Allahabad Fort to this date. Currently there are debates as to whether the presence of the army at the fort is ruining the historical monument or actually safeguarding it. Little evidence is available as a large part of the fort is strictly under army control and no member of the public are allowed in most parts of the fort. Even journalists with special permissions are not allowed to take photographs in the secret locations of the fort.

The Unsolved Puzzles And Hidden Mysteries Of The Allahabad Fort

Although the Allahabad Fort is a treasure trove of Indian history, the public has little access to it with the exception of the Ashokan Pillar, the Saraswati Kup, the Akshaya Vat and some temples. The Akshaya Vat is shrouded in great mystery. It is an ancient banyan tree that is believed to be “undying”. It is believed that worshipping of the tree fulfills one’s desires. Many legends and mythological stories are associated with this tree. The tree’s roots reach into the underground Patalpuri Temple where idols of Hindu gods and goddesses are worshipped. Some people also claim that the tree and the temple open to the public today are not original. According to them, the real tree actually lies in the interior of the fort guarded by the Indian army. 

The Saraswati Kup, another major attraction at the fort, is believed to be the source of the Saraswati River, a mythical river whose mention is found in the Vedas but which has not yet been identified by geographers. It is considered to join the Ganga and the Yamuna Rivers at the Triveni Sangam in Allahabad.

The Allahabad Pillar is also a historical attraction at the Allahabad Fort. The pillar belongs to the time of the 3rd century Emperor Ashoka, a Maurya dynasty ruler. The pillar also bears inscriptions of the 4th century Gupta Emperor, Samudragupta and the 17th century Mughal Emperor, Jahangir.