Mandi’s historic fort crumbling due to neglect

Dipender Manta
Tribune News Service
Mandi, September 5

The existence of historic Kamlah Fort is at stake due to its poor upkeep. Located in the Dharampur Assembly segment of Mandi district, the historic items of the fort are missing, while walls are shattered.

People of the area alleged that despite it being a historical property, the state government has done precious little to preserve and promote it for tourism purpose.

Mahesh Kumar, a resident of Dharampur, said Kamlah Fort is a 17th-century structure located near Kamlah village in Dharampur Assembly segment. It was constructed in 1625 by Raja Suraj Sen of Mandi.

“The Mandi kingdom depended on its forts for security. Mandi is in fact a repository of 360 forts built over a time from the rule of Suraj Sen to that of Ishvari Sen (1788–1826). Maharaja Ranjit Singh attacked the fort in 1830. It was destroyed in 1840. Retaken a few years later, it was reconstructed by Mandi King,” he said.

A cave known as Rani Ki Gufa in the fort was made to hide the queen during war, which is now in a dilapidated condition. Shockingly, the cave is being used to provide shelter to goats and sheep for the past few years. There is a strong resentment among the locals over it. They, in fact, want the state government to preserve the fort area and use it to promote tourism.

Naresh Kumar, a local resident, said that on the top of hill in fort area is situated a temple of Kamlah Baba who is revered by people of the area. Due to this many devotees visit the temple frequently also.

If the fort is developed for tourism purpose, it would attract a large number of people from across the country because of its historical importance.

A majority of people said “they are hopeful that the state government will develop Kamlah Fort much like Kangra Fort for tourism purpose.”

They said that the fort is connected with road facility and the state government should connect it with ropeway facility also.

When contacted, IPH Minister Mahender Singh Thakur, who represents the Dharampur Assembly segment, told The Tribune that a DPR of the project would be prepared and connecting Kamlah Fort with a ropeway facility is under consideration of the government.