Raibania fort

Raibania fort
Location in Odisha
Coordinates 21°55′35″N 87°11′12″E / 21.9264056°N 87.1867278°E / 21.9264056; 87.1867278
Location Raibania, Balasore, Odisha
Designer Langula Narasinha Deba
Type Fort
Material Redstone

Raibania fort is a group of ancient forts in Baleswar district, Odisha India. [1] This fort complex is considered as the biggest medieval fort of eastern India.[1] It was built during the Buddhist era in Odisha. There are 161 fort goddesses which are as "Durga devata" or "Iṣṫa devata" and Daṣasharu which is an aniconic form of the goddess Jayacaṇḍi.[2] Although three forts were recorded in the Ain-i-Akbari,[3] four forts have been found here: two of the larger ones are closer to the village Raibania, and the other two are closer to the village Phulta (Phulahatta).[4] According to The Balasore Gazetteer the forts were devastated after the Kalapahada invaded Utkala. Post-invasion remnants of the forts except Raibania have been utilized for construction by the local Zamindars and villagers of the locality.[5]

Location

The Raibania fort complex is located in Laxmannath, 9 miles (14 km) from Jaleswar and 2 miles (3.2 km) from the river Subarnarekha.[4]

History

Langula Narasinha Deba, king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty of Utkala from 1238 to 1264, built the forts after conquering Humayun Khan to obstruct the entry of the Mongols into Odisha.[6][7]

References

  1. 1 2 Harish Chandra Das (1999). Sakta Pithas: A Study. Bharati Prakashan.
  2. ↑ Thomas E. Donaldson (2002). Tantra and Śākta Art of Orissa. D.K. Printworld. ISBN 978-81-246-0197-6.
  3. ↑ Bijaya Kumar Rath; Kamalā Ratnam (1995). The Forgotten Monuments of Orissa. Publications Divisions Ministry of Inf & Broadcasting Government of India. ISBN 978-81-230-0313-9.
  4. 1 2 Ramesh Prasad Mohapatra (August 1986). Archaeology in Orissa: Sites and Monuments. Stosius Inc/Advent Books Division. ISBN 978-81-7018-346-4.
  5. ↑ H. C. Das (1986). Military History of Kalinga. Punthi Pustak.
  6. ↑ Stirling's Odisha p. 77
    "The boldness and enterprise of the Odishan monarchs in those days, may surprise us when we consider the situation of Kola in the heart of Central India beyond Kalberga and Bedar".
  7. ↑ The Fort of Barabati. Dr H.C. Das. pp.3

Raibania fort

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