Chunar Fort

The Chunar Fort is located in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh, in India. Along with Chunar town, situated below the fort, the two are historic places with common history and legends. It is located south west of Varanasi. The southeastern part of the fort is on the rocky bank of the Ganges River. The fort's history spans from 56 BC and then between Afghan decedent Sher Shah Suri's rule, the Mughal Empire rule up to 1772, and finally the British Raj up to 1947 till India gained independence. Chunar railway station is on the Mughalsarai-Kanpur section of Howrah-Delhi main line.GeographyChunar Fort is approached by road from Mirzapur over a distance of 20mi and along the Ganges River by river craft, a 30mi journey. Calcutta is 437mi away and is 14mi south west of Varanasi. The structure is located in the Mirzapur district, 14mi south west of Varanasi, and lies between Varanasi and Mirzapur. The town of the same name is part of the fort's administration.The fort stands on a rock, a detached part of the Vindhya Range, at an elevation of 280ft above sea level. It was built in a commanding position, high above a meander in the Ganges River, near the Kaimur Hills. The approach to Chunar Hill is marked by a chain of low hills, running parallel to the river on its right bank, which is covered by plantations and bungalows. The fort is located on a rock which rises abruptly from the plain, and encroaches into the river for some distance. The southeastern part of the fort is on the rocky bank by the Ganges River, which is navigable for 50- to 60-ton boats. The batteries in the fort command the river reach. The rocky bluff rising from the river on which the fort has been built raises to a height of 104ft. Another 200ft further away, the elevation of the rocky hillock is 280ft.