Kans Quila
Building in Mathura, India / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kans Quila is a fortified castle located in Mathura, India. The fort is named after Kamsa, a king who lived around 3271 BCE to 3214 BCE, in the ancient city of Mathura, India. Kansa was the maternal uncle of Shri Krishna, a Hindu God. The fort is believed to be from the age when Lord Vishnu was about to take avatar on this earth, about 3300 BCE [1] It is situated on the northern banks of the Yamuna River. The fort is also known as the Old Fort or Purana Quila.[2]
Kans Quila | |
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General information | |
Town or city | Mathura |
Country | India |
Coordinates | 27°30′28″N 77°40′56″E |
Construction started | 7 BC |
Technical details | |
Structural system | Brick and Mortar |
The earliest definitive mention of the castle is by Narahara Chakravarti in the 18th century, who described it to be the ruins of Kansa's castle. Since then, the castle walls have largely crumbled away and the site has been encroached upon. The current structure was built by Man Singh I. An observatory is said to have been added in the complex by Sawai Jai Singh (1699–1743), however it has been demolished now. The fort was used by Jats and Marathas, and under the British rule the fort was neglected and somewhat demolished. The fort has an audience hall surrounded by red sandstone pillars. The fort was earlier used as a barrier against floods.[3][4]