Kushalgarh fort to get back its glory soon

Mhow: Kushalgarh fort of Mhow tehsil, which has been neglected for decades and slowly turning into rule, will soon be seen standing intact.
Archeological Survey of India (ASI) of the state had included the fort in its list of protected monuments a long time back but Rs 40 lakh was sanctioned for its restoration only in November last year. It is with these funds that repairs on the structure are on.
The fort is about 50 km from Indore and is situated on the hill opposite Kalakund village on the Mhow- Khandwa railway line.
The main gate and surrounding walls of the fort spread across eight acres are still standing somewhat intact but the magnificent Darbar hall and other halls have almost turned into a heap of stones. Piles of stone slabs, limestone, boulders and other material is strewn everywhere in the fort and workers of the Bhopal based firm that have been given the contract for the renovation are working towards its complete restoration.
Firm manager Zakir Khan told TOI that the work was started last month and will be completed in six months.
The concreting work of the five-foot broad inner periphery of the wall has been completed. On this, a pavement will be made in the same way as it used to exist in old days.
The parapet wall of the fort has mostly been repaired and now the staircases all around are being repaired. The entrance gate and the outer walls near it were also badly damaged and they have also been repaired. SN Raj, an ASI official said the inner walls and roof will also be repaired and flower saplings will be planted in the lawn as it used to be when it was functional under Ahilya Bai Holkar's rule.
The surroundings will also be developed to make the place an ideal destination for eco-tourism. According to historical records, it was built by Kushal Singh Jageerdar in 1409 when he migrated from Mewar region in present Rajasthan. After he died, it came under the control of Pindaris and remained with them until the Holkars captured it from them. According to Lalbag museum in charge DP Pandey, Malhar Rao, the son of the Holkar army commander Tukoji Rao I became a mutineer and after he was held by the army, Kushalgarh fort was made a prison for him. Since then and until independence, it was used as a prison by the Holkars.
The fort is unique as it has one entrance and is surrounded by bastions on all four sides. The guards had to take care of only two sides as there is a very deep valley on one side while Dhajara hill (considered to be the highest mountain in Malwa area) is on the other side. Tourists can reach the fort via two routes. One is through the side of Choral dam on Badi Jaam road while the other is Kodariya- Patalpani road.