Kans Quila (Mathura)

India / Uttar Pradesh / Mathura
 place with historical importance, fort
This is old fort of Mathura (local known as Kans Quila). In British Gazetteer and travelogues, we can find this fort as "Old Fort of Muttra".

Sawai Jai Singh of Amber, jaipur constructed observatories with instruments of his own, invention on a gigantic scale. One of these was on the top of the Mathura Fort, the others at Delhi, Jaypur, Ujaiyin, and Banaras.

The old hall of audience, which is outside, the actual Fort, is a handsome and substantial building divided into three aisles by ranges of red sand-stone pillars.

A little before the mutiny the buildings were sold to the great Government contractor, Joti Prasad, who destroyed them for the sake of the materials.

Soon after the mutiny it was converted into a school and, in order to render it as unsightly as such Government buildings ordinarily are, the front arches were all blocked up with a mud wall which concealed every trace of them. Quite by an accident I discovered their existence and, after opening them out again, filled in their heads with iron bars set in a wooden frame and the lower part with a slight masonry wall, thus preserving all the architectural effect without any sacrifice of convenience.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   27°30'28"N   77°40'56"E

Comments

  • This photo is taken by British traveler in 1860. This fort (Kans Kila) was not encroached till that time so we can see a good old picture of glorified old fort of Mathura.
  • Do anyone know about "Teleaghurry Fort" location in Mathura?
  • Old Fort of Mathura: sawai Jai Singh of Amber, jaipur constructed observatories with instruments of his own, invention on a gigantic scale. One of these was on the top of the Mathura Fort, the others at Delhi, Jaypur, Ujaiyin, and Banaras. The old hall of audience, which is outside, the actual Fort, is a handsome and substantial building divided into three aisles by ranges of red sand-stone pillars. A little before the mutiny the buildings were sold to the great Government contractor, Joti Prasad, who destroyed them for the sake of the materials. Soon after the mutiny it was converted into a school and, in order to render it as unsightly as such Government buildings ordinarily are, the front arches were all blocked up with a mud wall which concealed every trace of them. Quite by an accident I discovered their existence and, after opening them out again, filled in their heads with iron bars set in a wooden frame and the lower part with a slight masonry wall, thus preserving all the architectural effect without any sacrifice of convenience.
  • Sumit, thanks for some interesting information. Can you please upload fotos of 1) Old hall of Audience 2) Interior of the fort Thanks Alok
This article was last modified 5 years ago