Children Making Fort in Diwali
No wonder then that children in the region
of North Karnataka and Maharashtra indulge in the pursuit of constructing Mud
Forts during the Diwali season. Check out the wonderfully laid Red Fort
opposite the Ram Mandir in Acharya Galli, The majestic Rajgad at Kore Galli and
many more in the bylanes. At various residential areas, one can come across
these mud forts, replete with the scaled down citadels, bastions, ramparts and
moats with tanks and soldiers guarding the precincts and every conceivable idea
in place to safeguard the fort and upheld the reputation of this ‘kingdom’.
These mud forts are on display right from Diwali to almost a month after that
and have enthusiastic visitors appreciating the creation.
India, and especially the Deccan Plateau,
has a fair share of majestic forts, those built by Shivaji being more popular.
Shivaji’s regime saw the annexing or construction of myriad forts, from Salher-
near Nashik to Gingee in Tamilnadu. They also appeal more to the common man who
is astounded at the simple but intelligent designs that merge with the
surrounding topography and the strength of the fortifications that they offer.
The different types of forts are based on the topography on which they were
built. Kautilya, in his famous Arthashastra, describes the importance, types
and details of building a fort. According to him, water and hills provide the
best security. He also describes the different types of forts – the ones built
on land ( Ex: The Belgaum or Banavasi forts), in water ( Called Jal durg: Ex.
Sindhudurg, Murud Janzeera)), on hill tops ( Called Giri durg: Ex. Raigad,
Purandar), in deserts amidst sandstone hills ( Called Maru durg, Ex. Mehrangadh
in Rajasthan), in deep impenetrable jungles (Called Van durg, Ex. Kohoj fort),
etc.
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