Kalinjar

Kalinjar crowns an isolated spur of the Vindhya hills above the plains of Bundelkhand. Its great hill fort was a principal seat of the Chandela dynasty, and its temples and carved images made it a sacred centre as well as a fortress. The shrine of Nilakantha is associated with Shiva, whose blue throat gives the deity his name. Successive rulers valued the stronghold for its commanding position and long history.

In 1530 the Mughal emperor Humayun besieged Kalinjar but withdrew after its ruler acknowledged him. Sher Shah Sur attacked in 1545 and was mortally injured by an explosion during the siege; his troops took the fort before his death, and his son was crowned there as Islam Shah. Under Akbar the fort passed into Mughal hands, and later the Bundela chief Chhatrasal captured it. In 1812 its defenders repelled a British assault but surrendered the following morning.