Dhar Fort

About Dhar Fort

The fort is situated to the north of the town. It stands on top of a small hill. It was constructed out of red sandstone. The architecture of the fort is a combination of Hindu, Mughal and Afghan style and this is its uniqueness. The Dhar fort in Madhya Pradesh contained the palace of the Raja. The best part is that this fort has been well preserved and you can get great views of the surrounding area from the ramparts of the fort.

In 1933 Shri Raghunath Krishna Fadke and well known Murtikar was invited to Dhar by Maharaja of Dhar to prepare some Murti’s (statues) in chhatri of Maharaja. Shri Fadke established his studio at Khanderao Tekri which was called as FADKE STUDIO later. Shri Fadke was given PADMASHRI for his famous Murti “Tatwa Chintana” in 1961. In 1971 he was also awarded with Doctorate. He died in 1972. Statues Made by him were established at Dhar, Indore, Dewas, Ujjain, Mumbai. Presently also several statues made by him & his successors are plased at FADKE STUDIO. These Statues give feel of reality. Almost 25,000 people visit to FADKE STUDIO every year.

History

When Alauddin Khalji came to power in Delhi, Islamic influence started spreading in Dhar. He took initiative and started the construction of the Dhar Fort. In the year 1344 the work was completed. The Dhar Fort still stands after the passage of so many years.

Dhar was an important centre at the time of the Great revolt of 1857. The Dhar Fort was captured by the Indian freedom fighters and kept in their possession for four months from July to October.

In the year 1305, A.D. the whole of Malwa passed into the hands of Al-ud-din Khalji when Dhar and Mandu were also captured. Dhar continued to be under Delhi Sultans until the reign of Muhammed II. At that time, Dilawar Khan Ghuri was the Governor of Malwa. In 1401 A.D. he assumed royalty and established an independent Kingdom of Malwa, with his capital at Dhar. His son and successor, Hoshang Shah moved the capital to Mandu. Hoshang Shah died in 1435 A.D. and was entombed in the splendid mausoleum which still exists at Mandu. On Hoshang’s death his son, Ghazni Khan, succeeded him. He ordered his capital Mandu to be called “Shadiabad” (the City of Joy). He, however, had a very short reign, as he was poisoned to death by Mahmud Khalji in 1436 A.D. Mahmud Khan ascended the throne and inaugurated the reign of the Khalji Sultans in Malwa. Khalji Sultans continued to rule Malwa till 1531 A.D. Later Malwa was captured by Sher Shah and was placed under the charge of Shujat Khan. Shujat Khan was succeeded by his son Baz Bahadur. Mandu and its environs reverberated with the stories of romance of Rupmati and Baz Bahadur. When Baz Bahadur was defeated and put to fight by the Mughal army, his beloved Rupmati took poison and put an end to her life to escape dishonour.

Historically and culturally, Dhar District has occupied an important place through its epoch-ancient, mediaeval and modern. Dhar, known as Dhar Nagari in ancient period and Dhar in mediaeval period has had the privilege of being of the capital city, both in the ancient and in the early mediaeval periods.

The ruled over a vast territory around Malwa for 400 years from the 9th to the 13th centuries. Vakpati Munja and Bhojadeva were the most famous rulers of this dynasty. Munja was a great general, a poet of repute and a great patron of art and literature. His court was adorned by poets like Dhananjaya, Halayudha, Dhanika, Padmagupta, the author of Navasahasan kacharita, Amitagati, etc. He excavated the Munja Sagar at Dhar and Mandu and built beautiful temples at a number of places.

Bhojadeva, the most illustrious of the Parmaras, was one of the greatest kings of ancient India. His name became a household word in India not only as a soldier but also as a builder, a scholar and a writer. Authorship of a large number of books on a variety of subjects like grammar, astronomy, poetics, architecture and asceticism is ascribed to him. He shifted his capital from Ujjain to Dhar, where the established a university for Sanskrit studies. It is known as the Bhoja Shala in which was enshrined the image of Goddess Saraswati. He rebuilt temples, including the magnificent temple at Bhojapur. Bhoja also created a large lake near Bhojapur.

Interesting things to Visit

• Bhoj Shala
• Killa (Old Fourt)
• Kalica Mata Mandir (Temple)
• Ladh Masjid
• Man-Tung-Giri (Jain Tirtha)
• Nityanand Ashram
• Bandichod Dargaha
• Maulana Kamalludin Chisti Dargaha
• Vijay Mandir
• Bada Ganpati Mandir
• Puratatva Sangrahalay

Things to carry

Water Bottles

Hats/Caps

Cell Phone

Digital Camera

Help Line/Phone Number

Police Station:

1.Dhar police station
Officer’s colony, Dhar, Madhya Pradesh 1.1 km

2.Police Petrol Pump
Sadar Bazar, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 57.6 km

3.Police Thana
South Tukoganj, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 60.1 km

4.BARTALEN
dhar, Madhya Pradesh 6.6 km

5.1.POLICE STATION
Madhya Pradesh 62.0 km

Nearest Hospital:

1.Patidar Hospital
Dhar, Madhya Pradesh 500 m

2.Mittal Hospital
Dhar, Madhya Pradesh 750 m

3.Bhoj Civil Hospital
Queen Park Colony, Dhar, Madhya Pradesh 900 m

4.Civil Hosipital Sardarpur
Sardarpur, Madhya Pradesh 34.0 km

5.Chothram Hospital
Manik Bagh Road, Indore, Madhya pradesh 57.8 km

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Location info

• Address:Shri Vihar Colony, Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, India.

• District:

• Nearest City:

• Best time to visit:

How to reach Dhar Fort

• **Nearest Railway Station:Convenient railhead is Ratlam (124 km) and Indore (94 km) on the Delhi-Bombay mainline.
  **

• Nearest Airport:the nearest airport is Indore, about 100 km away which is connected to Delhi, Bombay, Gwalior, and Bhopal.

• Road Transport:Regular bus service connect Mandu with Indore, Dhar, Mhow, Ratlam, Ujjain, and Bhopal.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Thira Bagh Palace, former British residency.

Nearest petrol pump

1.PETROL PUMP
SH 31, Dhar, Madhya Pradesh 250 m

2.Reliance petrol pump
SH 31, Dhar, Madhya Pradesh 1.6 km
**
3.Petrol Pump**
Indore, Madhya Pradesh 54.3 km

4.Petrol Pump
Indore, Madhya Pradesh 54.3 km
**
5.Petrol Pump**
Indore, Madhya Pradesh 56.1 km

Best time to visit Dhar Fort

October to March (pleasant weather)

Timings & opening hours

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily (some forts closed on national holidays)

Entry fee & tickets

INR 25 (Indians), INR 300 (foreigners); free for children below 15

Duration needed

2-3 hours

Safety tips

Wear comfortable shoes; Watch your step on uneven paths; Carry water; Avoid climbing restricted areas

Nearby visiting places

Mandu (35 km), Bhojshala, Hathi Khana, Bagh Caves (70 km)

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Indore (60 km).

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Madhya Pradesh. 4G is reliable in Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, and along national highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Pench national parks. Most hotels and resorts in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Forts in MP (Gwalior, Mandu, Orchha) have snack stalls and chai points near the entrance. Gwalior and Mandu have the best food options near their fort complexes. The nearest town offers traditional meals — dal bafla, poha, and kebabs.

Things to do at Dhar Fort

• Bhoj Shala
• Killa (Old Fourt)
• Kalica Mata Mandir (Temple)
• Ladh Masjid
• Man-Tung-Giri (Jain Tirtha)
• Nityanand Ashram
• Bandichod Dargaha
• Maulana Kamalludin Chisti Dargaha
• Vijay Mandir
• Bada Ganpati Mandir
• Puratatva Sangrahalay

Climate & weather

Madhya Pradesh has a subtropical climate with three distinct seasons. Winter (October–March) is the best time to visit: temperatures range from 8°C to 28°C with clear skies and pleasant days — ideal for wildlife safaris and temple visits. April–June is very hot, with temperatures reaching 42–45°C in most areas. The monsoon (July–September) brings moderate to heavy rainfall, making the landscape lush green, though wildlife parks close during peak monsoon.

Frequently asked questions

What are the fort visiting hours? Typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily; some forts remain closed on national holidays.

Is there a guide available at the fort? Yes, licensed guides are available at the entrance; audio guides also available at major forts.

Are there light and sound shows at the fort? Major forts like Gwalior and Mandu have evening light and sound shows in Hindi and English.

Accessibility

Historic forts typically have uneven stone pathways, steep staircases, and no ramps. Forts are built on elevated ground — reaching them requires a climb on foot or by vehicle to the base followed by stairs. Visitors with mobility issues may find the outer grounds and lower levels more accessible than the upper ramparts. Wear sturdy footwear and allow extra time.

Rules & restrictions

Do not climb on unstable walls or beyond marked boundaries. Some bastion platforms are partially collapsed. Graffiti and defacement are illegal. Alcohol and smoking are not permitted inside most historic sites. Drones may require permission. Large bags may be checked at the entrance. Photography is permitted but tripods may need special permission. Respect heritage rules — these monuments are protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.

Best photography spots

The ramparts offer the best panoramic views — arrive early morning or late afternoon for golden light across the landscape. The bastions and arched windows make excellent natural frames. Wide-angle lenses capture the scale of the fortifications; telephoto lenses isolate details of the stonework and distant views. Sunset silhouettes of the fort walls against the sky are iconic.

Quick facts

• Type: Tourist Attraction
• State: Madhyapradesh
• Category: Forts

Visitor information

Please check locally for current visitor information.