Bala Quila Fort - Alwar :-

Bala Quila Fort is one of the few forts build in Rajasthan prior to the rise of the Mughals.

Almost every city or town in Rajasthan is blessed with a fort.The huge Bala Quila sitting high up on a 300m steep cliff is what lends this ancient city much of its
character.Though we do not know who built this forsaken fort it has stood there watching over Alwar from even before the Mughals came into the scene.Which means that it was built before the 16th century.And we know this for sure because Babur the first Mughal king in India is known to have spent a night here.Not just that he even took away the fabulous treasure that was kept here and gifted it to his son Humayun.Later Jahangir had also stayed there for some time when he was packed off by his authoritarian father Akbar.The place where he stayed came to be called Salim Mahal.Jahangir was actually banished by Akbar because he tried to assassinate Abul Fazal one of the nine jewels of his fathers court.Bala Quila was finally taken over by Pratap Singh in 1775.

Much of Alwars character is intermingled with the history of the gigantic fort Bala Quila which is erected on a 300m steep peak.Though this fort did not give any ample evidence about the ruler who constructed this fortress it reveals its close association with the mighty Mugals.The ancient Hindu scriptures the Puranas dictate that a fort depicts the strength of a king.Bala Quila embodies this old saying and it represents the might and valor of the Rajput rulers.The all embracing fortifications extend to a large area and with in that expansion we can see so many minarets and fabulous mansions.