Asurgarh, Ancient fortress in Kalahandi district, India
Asurgarh is a rectangular fortress in Kalahandi with massive walls that reach about 50 meters in height, built from rubble, mud, and brick. The entire structure spans roughly 24 hectares and displays how this location served as a fortified urban center across the centuries.
Archaeological findings show the fortress dates to the 4th century BC and served as the capital of Mahakantara during this time. Its abandonment in the 5th century AD marks when this major center lost its former power and importance.
The four gates feature shrines to local deities, with Goddess Ganga honored on the eastern side and Budharaja on the northern side. These sacred spaces show how religious devotion has remained woven into daily life at this location across generations.
The site is most easily reached via Rupra Road railway station on the Sambalpur-Vizag line or through Raipur airport about 260 kilometers away. Visitors should be prepared for an archaeological site, so wearing suitable footwear and bringing water are important considerations.
The fortress was designed with a large reservoir called Asursagar that could be deliberately flooded during sieges to turn the fort into an island. This system showcased early water control techniques used for defense purposes.
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