What is the history of the Bhadrakali Temple in Ahmedabad?

The Bhadrakali temple has an incident that depicts the story of Goddess Laxmi, who was leaving the city of Ahmedabad and was stopped by a watchman named Siddique Kotwal and beheaded himself so that she would stay on the premises.

How many years did it take to build the Bhadra fort?

There isn’t an exact report about how much time it took for the construction of the fort, however, it was built in the year 1411 by Ahmad Shah.

Can we go inside Bhadra fort?

Yes, anyone can visit inside the fort, where you will find the Azam Khan Sarai and Bhadrakali Temple.

Why is Bhadra Fort famous?

The Bhadra Fort is famous for its Indo-Islamic style of architecture and especially for the Three gates of the fort.

Everything You Need To Know About Bhadra Fort Of Ahmedabad

Everyone knows that India is the largest country with its vibrant cultural values, history, and heritage; hence, people worldwide choose India Tour Packages. Regarding history and heritage, Bhadra Fort is one of the magnificent monuments that has stood still for ages. Let’s dive deeper to find out more about the Bhadra Fort Ahmedabad.

About Bhadra Fort

Whether it’s a Mughal invasion or a Rajput legacy, the city of Ahmedabad combines Indo-Islamic and Rajputana styles of architecture, and Bhadra Fort is one of them. The fort is more than 500 years old and is located in the walls of Ahmedabad, which has intricately carved palaces, divine mosques, and open spaces in between. It is also famous for its structural feature, that is, the three arches with ornate buttresses; hence, it is called “Teen Darwaza,” “Triple Gateway,” or “Three Gates” of Ahmedabad. The Bhadra Fort was also known as Arak Fort in the earlier period. Before the Bhadra fort Ahmedabad had eight gates.

Why The Name Bhadra Fort

According to the legends, it is believed that the fort’s name was given after the “Bhadra Kali Temple,” a form of Laxmi, and was established under the reign of the Maratha Empire.

Bhadra Fort History

The Bhadra Fort Ahmedabad was established in the year 1411 under the rule of Sultan Ahmed Shah I on the east bank of the Sabarmati River. The whole construction of the fort took about four years. We know about the name “Bhadra” because of the temple, and there is another story about why it is called Bhadra Fort.

Sultan Ahmed Shah built the fort called Bhadra after the ancient Rajput citadel named Anhilwad-Patan (Baroda State), where the first three kings of Gujarat Sultanate started their administrative work. These three gates of Bhadra Fort Ahmedabad were built for entrance, meetings, and sometimes courts during evening hours. The area was occupied by the development in the 16th century hence the second fortification was done by Mahmud Begada who was the grandson of Ahmed Shah.

There is another exciting story of the conflict between Baba Maneknath and Ahmed Shah, as Baba Maneknath was against the construction of the Bhadra Fort; however, the walls were built. The Saint used to weave a mat and unravel it at night, and after a few days, the fort’s wall came crumbling down. The Sultan knew it was because of Baba Maneknath, and to prove his miracle, he persuaded the Saint to enter himself in a jar. As he entered, the jar was closed and buried. Some people say Baba Maneknath was Ahmed Shah’s advisor.

It is also said that more than 50 governors ruled during the Mughalian era, including Jahangir, Shah Jahana, and Aurangzeb. Bhadra Fort history also says that the female Commander in Chief “Sarsenapati Umabaisaheb Khanderao Dabhade” fought a war near the Bhadra Fort Ahmedabad and defeated the Mughal Sardar Joravar Khan Babi, and during British Raj, the fort complex was used as a prison. Today, the fort bears government offices such as the Post office, the office of the Archeological Society of India, and the civil court. Even the Indian National Flag is hoisted on every Independence and Republic day of India.

The Architecture Of Bhadra Fort Teen Darwaza

We have spoken about the fort’s history. Let us move towards the fort’s architecture, especially the Teen Darwaza. Suppose you look at the architecture of the Bhadra Fort Teen Darwaza. In that case, it is constructed in the Indo-Islamic style of architecture, and it also features an inscription of Chimnaji Raghunath, who was a former Maratha Governor. The fort has three arches with a height of about 25 feet, the middle one has a width of 17 feet, and the other two are about 13 feet wide.

If you look at the archway, it has a terrace on the top, which was previously featured as a roof and was thrown open following a repair in 1877. The arches have highly decorated buttresses. The Teen Darwaza opens to a large square with terraces and a fountain in the centre. This open space was also known as the Royal Square or Maidan Shah.

Things To See In Bhadra Fort

1. Teen Darwaza

The Bhadra Fort housed a royal palace, a mosque, and other structures. Whenever you enter the fort, you will observe the Three Gates, also known as “Teen Darwaza,” on the eastern side of the fort, which was an entrance to the royal square, and the Teen Darwaza leads to the Manek Chowk, a multifunctional market of Ahmedabad.

2. Azam Khan Sarai

The Azam Khan Sarai was built to rest for travellers, just like the lodging system by Azam Khan Mir Muhammad Baquir, who was a Mughal Governor in 1637. The entrance of Azam Khan Sarai is about 5.49 metres high and opens into an octagonal hall with a low balcony made up of stone on the upper floors. It was also used as a hospital and jail during British rule. The Azam Khan Sarai was also used to hang during the Gujarat Sultanate and British era. There are some stories that Ahmed Shah hanged his son-in-law, who was convicted of murder.

3. Bhadrakali Temple

When you step into the north wing of Azam Khan Sarai, you will find the Bhadrakali Temple, constructed under the reign of the Maratha Empire. The Temple bears a black idol of Goddess Bhadra Kali with four hands, which is said to be the form of Hindu Goddess Laxmi.

There are some stories regarding Goddess Laxmi from earlier periods. Many years ago, Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth, came to the gate of Bhadra Fort and was leaving the city at night. One of the guards, named Siddique Kotwal, stopped her and asked her not to leave the city until he got permission from the king, and in that, he beheaded himself to keep her in the town, which resulted in the prosperity of Ahmedabad.

You will even find the tomb near the Bhadra Gate that is dedicated to Siddique Kotwal, and there is a lamp that has been lit continuously for more than five hundred years in one of the holes of Teen Darwaza.

4. Clock Tower

The Bhadra Fort also bears a clock tower, built in London in 1849 and installed in 1878 by the East India Company. Previously the clock tower was illuminated by kerosene lamps, which were replaced by electric lights in 1915.

How To Reach Bhadra Fort

You are in awe of the construction of Bhadra Fort, but you must be wondering how to reach Bhadra Fort. Here are some ways that you can choose to visit the fort

1. By Road:

The Bhadra Fort is easily accessible via road, and there are good options for private buses as well as for state buses from nearby cities such as Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, etc.

2. By Airlines

The nearest airport from Bhadra Fort is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport of Ahmedabad, which is 10 km from where you can book a cab or auto rickshaw at your convenience.

3. By Railway

If you are choosing a railway route, then you can stop at the Ahmedabad Junction Railway Station, from where you can select any cab, a city bus, or an autorickshaw according to your luggage and convenience.

Places To Visit Near Bhadra Fort

You loved the architecture of Bhadra Fort and are looking for similar places nearby, so here are some of the attractive places that you can visit.

1. Dada Hari Step Well

The Dada Hari Stepwell, also known as the Dada Hari Wav or Dada Hari ni Wav, was established under the reign of Mahmud Begada. The attractive thing about the stepwell is that here, you will find the octagonal-shaped stepwells designed in such a way that they show the essence of Solanki’s style of architecture. The stepwell wall was built to conserve water and to accommodate visitors. The Dada Hari Stepwell is located in the Asarwa region, which is 15 km away from Ahmedabad.

2. Calico Museum Of Textiles

If you are interested in learning more about textiles, then look no further than The Calico Textile Museum of Ahmedabad, which was inaugurated by India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, is one of the best places to visit near Bhadra Fort. The Calico Textile is a museum and institution that promotes and preserves the valued textiles of Indian heritage. The museum was started by the Sarabhai family in 1983, and since then, the museum has become a haven for textile learners, tourists, and scholars from all over the world.

3. Jhulta Minara

If you are looking for a mysterious heritage place, you can visit the Jhulta Minara of Ahmedabad. The Shaking Minarets, or the Jhulta Minara, are part of the Sidi Bashir Mosque, and the minarets are over 500 years old. You will find one pair of minarets opposite Sarangpur Darwaja and another near Kalupur region. An interesting fact about the minarets is that if one pair of Jhulta Minara is shaken, then after a few seconds, another pair starts vibrating; however, the passage remains still, and because of this, few archaeologists, architects, and geologists are studying it, and the reason remains unknown.

4. Shah-e-Alam’s Roza

At a distance of 4 km from the Bhadra Fort, you can visit the Shah-e-Alam’s Roza, also known as Rasulabad Dargah, in Ahmedabad. It is a mosque and tomb complex dedicated to Shah Alam, who was said to be the mentor and teacher of Sultan Mahmud Begada. This tomb was built in the year 1483. The whole premises of Shah Alam Roza include a mosque, tombs, an assembly hall, a water body, and some other mediaeval structures. You can also find a small tomb built over the grave of the parrot who was the pet of Shah Alam.

Restaurants Near Bhadra Fort

You have explored every corner of the Bhadra Fort and the places nearby, but why hurt your stomach in the rush? Here are some restaurants that you can visit near the fort in Ahmedabad

1. Agashiye Restaurant, Ahmedabad

At a distance of 1km, you will find the Agashiye restaurant that serves both Indian and Asian and vegetarian-friendly cuisines at reasonable prices. The Agashiye restaurant is known for its value-for-money services and great ambience for friends and family. The restaurant also provides vegan and gluten-free options. This restaurant is best for Lunch and Dinner.

2. The Green House, Ahmedabad

If you are looking for creative vegetarian cuisine on the streets of Ahmedabad, then you can opt for The Green House restaurant. It is known for its creative vegetarian dishes at an affordable price; The Green House is one of the best restaurants near Bhadra Fort.

Hotels Near Bhadra Fort

You visited the fort, explored everything, took a tour to places nearby, and filled your stomach with the local delicacies, but where are you going to rest? Here are some of the hotels that you can visit in Ahmedabad

1. The MG-A Heritage Hotel, Ahmedabad

If you are interested in a place where you get a royal and luxurious experience, then you can choose to visit The MG-A Heritage Hotel. It is one of the best hotels near Bhadra Fort, which is a 20th-century mansion offering amenities such as spacious rooms with a private balcony and a fast internet connection.

2. Deewanji Ni Haveli

At a distance of 1km, you can visit the Deewanji Ni Haveli, which gives accommodation with a terrace. They also provide amenities such as airport transfers and rental bicycle services.

Whether it’s a Mughal invasion, Maratha legacy, or British rule, the Bhadra Fort has seen every brighter and darker side. Today, this fort plays a particular part in Indian history and heritage. So whenever you are exploring the heritage places of Ahmedabad, do not forget to visit the Bhadra Fort.

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Bhadra Fort: The Magnificent Monument Of Ahmedabad