An Overview of Himachal Pradesh Bilaspur District Part II

 An Overview of Himachal Pradesh

Bilaspur Outer Part II

In this part of the article we shall cover the historical monuments , sites of tourism and template tourism importance and other important places .

Bahadurpur Fort :- 

A beautiful place just about 10 Km from Namhol from where the road biffurcates to Bahadurpur Fort . The road passes through Ghyal, Tyaman and Tepra villages and from Tepra the fort is about one Km situated on the hill top at an elevation of 1872 metres above mean sea level.

Snow fall in Bahadurpur 

The beautiful landscapes is covered with Baan and deodar trees which imparts immense natural beauty to this hill .

The fort was built by Raja Keshab Sein during the year 1620 AD  with the aim to be stretegically stong from enimies. The Bahadurpur is about 35 Km from Bilaspur and experiences occasional snow fall during winters . During snow fall it becomes centre of tourists attraction. Also due to high altitude the climate at Bahadurpur which also attracts tourists .

Forest rest house at Bahadurpur 

At present the fort is not in existence but a PWD rest house has been constructed by public works Department where the tourists can stay . 

Also forest rest house is  good for staying  at Bahadurpur . 

At one time in olden days the Bahadurpur had been the summer capital of Bilaspur state St the regin of Raja Biaya Chand   . 

At  the highest point there is a Lord Shiva temple of ancient times but now is being renovated the altitude of this place is 1980 metres above mean sea level . Bahadurpur is now a days a best tourist place in Bilaspur district .

Tiun Fort :-

Tiun Fort is on another historical monument in Tehsil Ghumarwin district Bilaspur situated at a hill top in Tiun range near Tiun village .

View of Tiun Fort 

The Tiun Fort was constructed by Raja Kahan Chand the 11 th Raja of Kehloor state during  1142 Vikrami be strategically strong.

View of Bhagwati Durga Temple INB Fort 

The fort was built with stone Masonry walls with traditional Lime mortar with some binding additives . There was a granary in side the Fort with capacity of about 3000 Kg food grains . It has a pond in side and two wells for water . This fort is expanding over 14 hectares of land . The Chir trees imparts immense natural beauty to this fort . The walls of the fort is very high up to 10 metre with slits for gunners .

Tiun Fort in Tiun range hills

The fort is about 35 Km from Bilaspur and 6.5 km from Kuthera . The road biffurcates from Joginder Nagar Ghumarwin Super Highway at Kuthera and fort is about 6.5 km  from Kuthera ,about one Km trail leads to fort near Tiun village .

View at Tiun Fort 

Water tank has now been constructed by Jal Shakti Vibhag  in side the Fort to supply drinking water to the surrounding areas. There is an ancient temple of Bhagwati Durga in the fort which now has been renovated by local people .

Water Storage Tank 

Now the fort is a good picnic spot. Historians and nature loving tourists visit this fort .

Sriun Frort :- 

The Sriun Frort is situated at an elevation of 1500 metres above mean sea level on Eastern side of Tiun Fort on a different hill and visible from Tiun Fort also .

View of Sriun Frort 

The Sriun Frort was initially built by Raja of Suket and later came under Kahloor rulers .

The Fort was  planned from strategic point of view ,it was having wells water , granary for storing the food grains  .  The fort of Tiun is between Hawan and Manjhwar villages at Sriun Khas village . It is stone Masonry monument with Lime mortar .  At present the fort is in the form of ruins but people visit the place.

Ruins of  Sriun Fort

Ruins of Sriun Frort 

The fort is about 58 Km from district headquarters and from a small village Harlog on Kandrour Smaila road one road biffurcates  to Sriun Frort and another goes to Tiun Fort.

People at present visit this historic fort as during the battle between Kangra and Bilaspur this fort had its own strategic importance .

Ratanpur Fort :-

The Ratanpur fort is situated in Pargna Ratanpur in district Bilaspur Himachal Pradesh at an elevation of 1230 metres above mean sea level .

 This ancient Fort is about 30 Km from Bilaspur Town . It has access from Brahmpukhar which is on Shimla Mandi Highway at a distance of about 15 Km from Bilaspur. From Brahmpukhar to Deoth then Khui Mehthi on Jamali Deoth road  from where a link road leads to Ratanpur fort. The fort has also connectivity from Jamali on Chandigarh Mandi Manali National Highway via Lag -Ghat .

View of Ratanpur fort 

It was the importance of this fort that General Ochterlony  inflicted defeat  on Amer Singh  Thapa, the Gurkha leader. There was ancient temple of Godess Kali in th June temple which now has been renovated by local people 

The tourists also visit the Fort .

Kehloor Fort :- 

The Kot  Kehloor Fort is constructed by Raja Kahal Chand. The Raja Bir Chand of Chandel Rajput  rulers founded the state around 697  later Kahal Chand built up the Kahloor fort and was named after his name  Kot Kehloor.

Kahloor fort District Bilaspur 

 Later Raja Deep Chand founded The State capital at Bilaspur which remained capital of the state till merger of the state on 1st July 1954 till the rule of Raja Anand Chand the Last Raja of the state .

The fort Kot Kehloor is at a distance of few kilometres from Ganguwal hydro electric Power plant. At present the fort is in the form of ruins .

The fort was built with stone Masonry walls measured 2 metres thick . It was  a two storied  structure having high walls up to 30 metres. The walls were provided with slit openings  .

Swarghat Fort :- 

The Swarghat Fort is about 40 Km from Bilaspur Town on Chandigarh Mandi Manali National Highway . It was also summer capital of Bilaspur state at on time .

Bachhretu Fort :- 

Bachhretu Fort was constructed by Raja Ratan Chand  of Bilaspur state during 14 century .Now a days it is under Archaeological survey of India and open to visitors .

The fort is situated at an elevation of about 914 metres above mean sea level near Bachhretu and Kothi villages .

There is an ancient temple of Bhagwati Durga in side the Fort. The scenic beauty of the area is very charming. It is at a distance of about 51 Km from Bilaspur Town.

Bachhretu Fort 

Shiv Bouli with Lord Shiva temple is a another historical place near the fort . It is nearly 3 km from Shahtlai the famous place of Baba Balak Nath.

 Thousands of pilgrims visit the Fort and  Shiva temple during Chetr Month. The Govind Sagar , Bhakhara Dam and Shree Naina Devi temples are visible from the fort .

Basseh Fort :-

Fort Basseh is situated near Gharan and Gangloh villages in tehsil Jhandutta district Bilaspur Himachal Pradesh.

It is nearly 8 Km from Shah Talai on Talai Dhani road . The Basseh fort is about 57 Km from Bilaspur . The ancient fort is now in ruins . It's construction was in stone Masonry with Lime mortar.

From the Fort site the panoramic views of Baba Balak Nath , Shah Talai , Jhabola , Shree Naina Devi ji and Govind Sagar Lake can be captured .

The fort was important from strategic point of view in the ancient times .

The rest of important places of Bilaspur district which are spiritually connected with people and some important from tourism point of view will be covered in Bilaspur an overview Part III