Situated 300 meters north of the grand Jor-Bangla (Kesto-Rai) Temple in Bishnupur, lie two ancient fort gates: the larger known as Pathar/Garh Darwaja, and the smaller named Choto Darwaja. These gates stand as the sole survivors of a once intricate series of defenses encircling the palaces and fort of Bishnupur. Over the centuries, everything else has succumbed to time, leaving visitors unaware of the elaborate fortifications that once existed here.
The primary defense consisted of a network of ditches encircling the city, followed by a rampart punctuated by sturdy gates. Apart from the two surviving gates, historical records mention Beer Dwaraja on the southern side near modern Rashik Ganja, Lal Dwaraja on the western side near Kalindi Bandh, and Haldi Dwaraja on the northwestern side near Krishna Bandh. It is estimated that these defenses spanned a circumference of seven miles around the city.
Historians suggest that cannons were once positioned on these ramparts and above the gates, supplemented by rectangular openings in the walls for firing guns. Remnants of some of these apertures are visible on the northern face of the larger gate, which would have faced the approaching enemy outside the fort limits.
Bottom – Almost the same view today, note the apertures for firing guns on approaching enemies
Constructed entirely of laterite, the larger gate features a battlemented parapet and side rooms flanking the central path, likely serving as checkpoints before entering the city. The lower section on the northern side represents the gate’s earliest phase, later augmented by a taller gateway to the south, built adjacent to the original structure.
The smaller gate, positioned at a ninety-degree angle from its larger counterpart, lies 80 meters northwest. This gate probably served as the initial entry point from the north into the city. Its construction differs slightly from the larger gate, with the lower half made of laterite blocks and the upper portion of clay bricks coated with stucco. A doorway on the eastern side of the gate leads to a staircase to the top, accessible only by ladder.
Note the doorway for accessing the roof, requiring the use of a ladder
Both gates would have been preceded by water-filled ditches, with mechanisms such as floating bridges for rapid removal in times of emergency. These ditches were fed by water stored in the large reservoirs (bandhs) scattered throughout the landscape.
Lacking foundation inscriptions, dating these gates precisely proves challenging. However, local lore and scholarly consensus suggest they were likely built during the reign of Bir Singha Dev, also known as Beera Singha, the 52nd king of Mallabhum, who ruled from 1656 to 1682 CE.
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