|
Mahoba
Mahoba is said to be derived from a
great sacrifice, performed by its reputed founder the
Chandela Raja Chandra Varma in 800 AD. Architectural
antiquities of the Chandela period abound throughout the
neighbourhood. Mahoba was also a prominent cultural
centre. The Chandela kings, apparently, desired two
earthly things after the safe possession of Bundelkhand:
to built temples for their gods and to bring water to
the land. These lakes are Madan Sagar, Vijay
Sagar, Kalyan Sagar and Kirat Sagar. Madan Sagar, 5 km
in circumference, was made in the 12th century, Vijay
Sagar in 11th century. The other two are Kalyan Sagar
and Kirat Sagar.
Charkhari
The hill fort at Charkhari is surrounded on three sides
by water. The landward approach to the fort is made
though an imposing gate, its door studded with spikes to
deter elephants from knocing it down. It leads to a
courtyard and durbar hall decorated with portraits of
the Charkhari Rajas. From there the ascent is long and
gradual and this enabled elephants and heavy guns to be
taken higher. There are canons abandoned in nearly every
bastion. Also within these walls are the temple gardens
and well. Parmadidev, the last Chandela king, was
defeated by the Chauhan emperor Prithiraj in 1182, the
latter making Delhi his strategic base. Qutb-ud-Din (See
page 165) took the town in 1195. A number of Muslim
remains survive. The tomb of Jalhan Khan is constructed
from the remains of a Saivite temple, and a mosque whose
Persian inscription indicates it was founded in 1322
during the reign of Ghiyas-ud-din-Tughlug. The fort fell
into the hands of Tantia Topi during the Mutiny but the
local Raja Ratan Singh remained loyal to the British and
afterwards was awarded a hereditary 11 gun salute.
|
