Friends, today we will give you information about one of the oldest forts in India, which played the role of a watchman to prevent foreign invasions from Central Asia for centuries. This fort suffered the brunt of many foreign invaders like Mahmud Ghaznavi, Mohammad Ghori, Timur and so on. These invaders robbed and ruined this fort many times. Friends, this fort is Bhatner fort of Hanumangarh.
History of Bhatner
Bhatner fort is located in the north of Rajasthan, on the left bank of the Ghaggar river (ancient Saraswati river) and 244 km north-east of Bikaner. It was built in 295 AD by Bhupat, the ruler of Bhati dynasty. Kekaiya was the architect of this fort. Due to being built by the Bhati dynasty, this fort was named Bhatner.
This fort was considered to be the strongest fort of the time due to its being built of solid bricks and lime. While living in Bhatner, Timur has written about this fort in his biography 'Tuzuk-e-Taimuri' that I have never seen a strong fort like Bhatner in my life. An underground tunnel was also built in this fort, which went from Bhatner to the forts of Bathinda and Sirsa. In the 12th century, this fort was rebuilt by Abhay Singh Bhati, a descendant of Maharawal Shalivahan.
Rulers of Bhatner
Most foreign invasions took place on Bhatner fort. In 1001 AD, Mahmud Ghaznavi attacked this fort. In the 13th century, this fort remained under the ruler of the slave dynasty, Ghiyasuddin Balban (Bahauddin). Balban's cousin Sher Khan was the ruler here who fought the Mongol invaders while staying here. It is said that Sher Khan died here and his burial was also built in this fort.
Apart from this, the Mongols and Timur also plundered the Bhatner fort and killed thousands of people. Timur Lang was a staunch follower of Islam and a cruel and ambitious ruler. In September 1398 he crossed the Indus, Jhelum and Ravi rivers and captured Tulumba in October 1398. After this he went ahead and captured Bhatner. He laid siege to Bhatner-fort for several days, after which Timur left from there. When Bhatner's ruler Rao Dulchand was convinced that Timur had left, suddenly Timur returned and attacked Bhatner. He robbed Bhatner badly and brutally killed thousands of people here. Timur wrote in his autobiography that "I killed all the people of Bhatner with the edge of the sword, in no time beheaded about ten thousand people, thus the sword of Islam bathed with the blood of the infidels." Thousands of Hindu-Muslim women of the fort threw themselves in the fire of Jauhar to protect their identity.
Apart from this, Qutubuddin Aibak, Prithviraj Chauhan, Mughal ruler Akbar, Mughal ruler Jahangir and Rathore rulers also ruled Bhatner. It is believed that Razia Sultan, the only woman ruler of Delhi Sultanate, was kept in Bhatner fort for some time.
Thus Bhatner was ruled by many rulers and in last time Bikaner ruler Surat Singh captured Bhatner in 1805 AD. Friends, the day Maharaja Surat Singh took control of this fort. That day was Tuesday i.e. the day of Lord Hanuman. Hence, from that day onwards this place came to be known as Hanumangarh instead Bhatner. Hanuman temple was also built in Bhatner fort on this occasion.
Friends, the reason for so many foreign invasions on Bhatner was its location on the Delhi-Multan road. Any invaders from Central Asia who came to attack Delhi had to face Bhatner Fort. This was the reason why Bhatner Fort suffered the most foreign invasions.
Current situation of Bhatner Fort
Although friends, despite being 1725 years old, Bhatner fort is not in a very dilapidated condition. The biggest reason is that it is made of strong bricks and lime, secondly it has been renovated from time to time by the then rulers. A few years ago the walls of this fort collapsed, which has been repaired again. However, there is still a need for good care and repair of this fort so that this ancient heritage of India does not end in shambles.
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