TRAVEL THE WORLD - DAULATABAD, INDIA

The photo shows the entrance to the 14th Century fortress of Devagiri at Daulatabad near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The fortress, built on a mountainside, is considered to have been impregnable, and was only captured once, and then as a result of treachery. There is a long, long climb to the top. At one stage, our guide led us through a totally dark, narrow zig-zag passage intended to be a deterrent to invaders. There were several other interesting features designed to protect the fort including a deep moat.

INDIA VACATION 2007

FORTRESSES OF INDIA

Gwalior Fort, situated 100 metres above the town, has a 1,000-year history. It was long considered impregnable. The Mughals held it until 1754 when it was captured by the Marathas. The first photo above is of the Man Singh palace located within the fort.

Devgiri - the entrance through the walls is shown in the middle photo - is a 14th Century fortress standing on a 200-metre-high hill above the city of Daulatabad. It has vertical sides 50 metres high. A very strong fort, it was captured only once after the guards had been bribed.

Kumbhalgarh Fort, built in the 15th Century in the mountains 60 km. from Udaipur, stands on the site of a 2nd Century citadel. Due to its inaccessibility, it fell only once after a long seige. Its walls stretch for 36 km. and are wide enough for eight horses riding abreast. Inside the fortress are temples and palaces built by the Mauryas. The third photo is taken at the start of the descent from the fort.