Punjab's Bajwara Fort crumbles as authorities remain indifferent

Once a formidable sentinel of Punjab’s history, the Bajwara Fort now lies in ruins — neglected and nearly forgotten by the land it once protected. Located in the historic town of Bajwara in Hoshiarpur district, the Mughal-era fort stands as a fading relic of the region’s military and cultural legacy.

During a recent visit by INTACH State Convener Maj Gen Balwinder Singh (retd) and heritage enthusiast Harjit Singh, the fort’s condition shocked even seasoned historians. Overgrown with vegetation, barely one wall still stands — and locals living nearby were largely unaware of its exact location. “It is heart-wrenching to see such an important structure vanish in silence,” said Gen Singh.

Believed to have been established in the late 15th century by Pashtun settlers from the Suleiman Mountains, Bajwara served as a strategic outpost to monitor the Hindu Hill Rulers during the Lodi era. The fort’s military significance continued through the Mughal period — it finds mention in the Ain-i-Akbari as one of Hoshiarpur’s 36 mahals — and into the Sikh Empire, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh captured it in 1825. It was later used as a military prison under British rule before being dismantled and left to decay.

The town of Bajwara also claims to be the birthplace of several prominent historical figures, including Mata Sundri, wife of Guru Gobind Singh; Sher Shah Suri, the founder of the Suri Empire; and reformer Mahatma Hansraj. Yet the fort that once anchored this town’s prominence now risks being lost forever.

“Despite its architectural value — with remnants of Mughal design and Islamic-local stylistic fusion — no restoration work has ever been undertaken,” said Gen Singh, while expressing concern that if urgent conservation measures are not adopted, the remaining structure will soon cross the point of no return.

He warned of possible encroachments in the already inhabited surroundings and stressed the need for a protective boundary wall.

He further proposed that the fort area, which spans approximately six to seven acres, could be developed into a heritage park. “A walking plaza, open gym, children’s play area — alongside restored fort walls and educational signage — could make this space both meaningful and functional,” he said. “It’s not just about saving a fort; it’s about reconnecting with Punjab’s layered past.”

The fort’s history includes tales of fierce battles, such as the 1432 confrontation between Raja Jasrat and Allahdad Kaka of the Delhi Sultanate. But today, Bajwara Fort fights a different battle — one against time, apathy and urban sprawl.

“Unless immediate steps are taken by heritage departments and local authorities, Punjab risks losing yet another silent witness to its rich, complex history” said both Maj Gen Singh and Harjit Singh.