Kurumbera Fort

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Although called a Fort it is a massive enclosure 172'9" north-south and 253'6" east-west and built of laterite blocks. The enclosure contains the ruins of a Siva Temple and a Mosque built by Muhammad Tahir 1691 AD. Entrance on north side and arcade around.

The Kurumbera Fort is situated in Gaganeshwar village, southeast of Keshiari, at about four kilometers from that town. The fort is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.

Reaching Kurumbera Fort :

Kurumbera Fort is situated in a village named Gaganeshwar. To reach Gaganeshwar, take the NH 60 to Belda, at about 40 km from Kharagpur, turn right towards Keshiari and reach a village junction called Kukai, at about 4 km from Belda. Turn to the left, Gaganeshwar village lies at about 2 km from Kukai. Gaganeshwar village (Kueumbera Fort) lies at about 16 km from Great Mogalmari Buddhist Monastery.

Structures inside the fort :

The fort contains a three domed structure over a platform, along with a sacrificial altar. Though the most parts of this fort and its structures are in ruins, the ASI, has taken considerable effort to protect the structures from collapsing by using cement and lime mortar for holding the external pillars. The pillars hold a roofing which is shaped as a flower. The usage of circular pillar to the rear of the left-dome seems interesting.

About the fort :

Built in 1438-1469 (written in Oriya inscription) during the rule of Surya Vamsi king of Orissa Gajapati Kapilendra Dev, it also has structures built during the Aurangazeb's period by Mohammed Tahir (stone inscription). Despite being a protected monument, under the ASI, there is no data available about this fort.

In local language kurum means stone & bera means fence. So it is easy to understand that the name contains a meaning of an arena fenced by stone. The stone used here is makra or red laterite. The boundary wall is nearly 12 feet in height & 3 feet in width. The main gate faces north & the entire arena is circles by an 8 feet wide pillared balcony. The area covers 67500 sq ft.

Unfortunately history is silent on it’s past. The only saving grace is an inscription written in Oriya. The inscription is badly defaced & legibility is almost lost except for two words : Budhbar & Mahadebanka Mandir . According to folklore this fort was built overnight to honor Lord Ram & his consort Sita when they visited the place during their vanavas ( exile ).

Legend has it that the temple was built by one Kapileshwar Deb of Devraja family of Orissa during the period 1438 to 1469. The shiva installed inside of the temple was known as Kapileshwar Shiva. The place was originally a temple complex which was later on expanded to provide shelter to pilgrims.

Later it was converted into a military cantonment by the mughal & Maratha soldiers who invaded Bengal. That was when the temple complex was known as fort. Modern era British documents describe it as a fort. Another inscription written in Oriya found in the compound says it had many new structures built by one Mohanmmed Tahir during the period of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb that includes a three domed mosque built in 1699.

It is assumed that the hindu temple was demolished during this period & it was converted into a military cantonment Later on in 18th century when Marathas from west stormed Orissa & Bengal under the command of Bhaskar Rao Holker & Raghuji Bhonsle it was wrested from the muslim but the temple was never rebuilt.