Navratangarh

Navratangarh (Doisagarh) was one of the capitals of the Nagvanshi dynasty, who ruled parts of what is now the state of Jharkhand, India. It is located in Sisai block of Gumla district. It is said that king Durjan Shah shifted his capital from Khukhragarh to Navratangarh.^[1] He constructed the fort between 1636 and 1639.^[2][3][4][5] The palace was a five-storeyed structure with its "water-gate" and garh-khai (moat) arrangement. It has a kiaclmy (court), a treasury house and a prison-cell with its underground dungeon.^{[6] [7][8]} It was declared national heritage in 2009.^[9][10]

Navratangarh
Navratangarh fort
Location	Sisai, Gumla, Jharkhand, India
Coordinates	23.10993°N 84.78367°E / 23.10993; 84.78367
Area	11 ha (27 acres)
Built	c.1636 - 1639 CE
Architect	Durjan Shah
Location in Jharkhand, India, Asia Show map of Jharkhand Navratangarh (India) Show map of India

Geography

17km
10.6miles

C

H

H

A

T

T

I

S

G

A

R

H

X

North Karo
River

W

Sankh River

V

South Koel
River

T

Palkot
Wildlife
Sanctuary

H

Nagfeni

H

Navratangarh

H

Marda

CT

Toto

CT

Ghaghra

M

Gumla

R

Sisai

R

Raidih

H

Palkot

R

Kamdara

H

Khukhragarh

M

Ranchi

H

Ratu

R

Bharno

R

Basia

   

Cities, towns and locations in Gumla district in South Chotanagpur Division
M: municipality, CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, H: historical/ religious centre, T: tourist centre, B: Bauxite mining centre

Location

The fort is located in Sisai block of Gumla district. It is located in around 30 km from Gumla and 75 km from Ranchi.^[2][3]

Area overview

The map alongside presents a rugged area, consisting partly of flat-topped hills called pat and partly of an undulating plateau, in the south-western portion of Chota Nagpur Plateau. Three major rivers – the Sankh, South Koel and North Karo - along with their numerous tributaries, drain the area. The hilly area has large deposits of Bauxite. 93.7% of the population lives in rural areas.^[11][12]

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the district. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

History

Inscription at temple in Navratangarh

It is said that king Durjan Shah shifted his capital from Khukhragarh to Navratangarh.^[1] He constructed the fort between 1636 and 1639 CE. After his release from Mughal captivity, the Raja decided to build the fort. Navratangarh was in a strategic location as it was surrounded by forests, hills and rivers.^[7][13] King Ram Shah built Kapilnath Temple in 1643. He succeeded by Raghunath Shah. He also built several temples. Yadunath Shah shifted capital to Palkot due to Mughal invasion.^[14]