The famous forts of India: the biggest, the highest and the most unusual
Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh's 36 km wall, Jaisalmer's "living" fort, the Red Fort, Golconda, Gwalior and Shivaji's forts — India's most famous forts and their stories.
Rohit Tandon · 23 October 2026 · 4 min read
India has thousands of forts — on mountain tops, in the middle of the desert, in thick forests and among the waves of the sea. They bear witness to the power of kings, to stories of war and to remarkable architecture. Here are the famous forts of India, with what makes each of them special.
India's famous forts at a glance
| Fort | State | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Chittorgarh | Rajasthan | Among India's largest forts; the stories of Rani Padmini and jauhar |
| Kumbhalgarh | Rajasthan | A wall about 36 km long — "the Great Wall of India" |
| Mehrangarh | Rajasthan (Jodhpur) | On a hill about 125 metres high; built by Rao Jodha in 1459 |
| Jaisalmer (Sonar Qila) | Rajasthan | One of the world's few "living" forts, with people still living inside |
| Red Fort | Delhi | Built by Shah Jahan in 1639–48; the flag is hoisted here on 15 August |
| Agra Fort | Uttar Pradesh | Rebuilt by Akbar from 1565; the Taj Mahal can be seen from it |
| Golconda | Telangana (Hyderabad) | Famous for the diamond trade; the gate where a clap carries far |
| Gwalior | Madhya Pradesh | Babur called it "the pearl among the forts of India" |
| Murud-Janjira | Maharashtra | A fort in the sea that, it is said, was never conquered |
Kumbhalgarh: the Great Wall of India
In the 15th century Rana Kumbha of Mewar built Kumbhalgarh fort in the Aravalli hills. Its wall is about 36 kilometres long and wide enough for several horses to ride on it side by side. It is often counted among the longest continuous walls in the world after the Great Wall of China. Maharana Pratap was born in this fort. In 2013 six hill forts of Rajasthan — Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron, Amber and Jaisalmer — together became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Jaisalmer's Sonar Qila
In 1156 Rawal Jaisal built this fort of yellow sandstone in the middle of the Thar Desert. In sunlight it glows like gold, which is why it is called the "Sonar Qila" (golden fort). What makes it special is that thousands of people still live inside it, and shops and hotels run there — so it is counted among the world's few "living forts". See more of Rajasthan's colours in Why Jaipur is called the Pink City and The Thar Desert.
Did you know? If you clap under the "Fateh Darwaza", the main gate of Golconda fort in Hyderabad, the sound can be heard at the palace on the hilltop about a kilometre away. It is said that warnings of danger were sent this way. The Koh-i-Noor is among the diamonds linked with the mines around Golconda.
Gwalior Fort and zero
The Mughal emperor Babur called Gwalior Fort "the pearl among the fortresses of Hind". Inside this fort, an inscription of 876 CE in the small Chaturbhuj temple contains a round "0" — among the oldest evidence of zero — read The story of zero.
Shivaji's forts on UNESCO's list
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Marathas built a network of hundreds of forts in the hills and at sea. In July 2025, 12 forts were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as the "Maratha Military Landscapes of India" — Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Shivneri, Salher, Lohagad, Panhala, Suvarnadurg, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg and Khanderi in Maharashtra, and Gingee in Tamil Nadu. Shivneri is Shivaji's birthplace, and Raigad was his capital, where he was crowned in 1674.
The Red Fort: a symbol of freedom
Delhi's Red Fort was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan when he decided to move his capital from Agra to Delhi (Shahjahanabad). Every year since 15 August 1947, the Prime Minister has hoisted the tricolour here on Independence Day and addressed the nation. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. More of Delhi's monuments: Interesting facts about Delhi.
Key points
- Kumbhalgarh's wall is about 36 kilometres long.
- Jaisalmer's Sonar Qila is one of the world's few living forts.
- Six hill forts of Rajasthan became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.
- In 2025, 12 Maratha forts were added to UNESCO's list.
- The Prime Minister hoists the flag at the Red Fort every 15 August.
Frequently asked questions
Which fort has "the Great Wall of India"?
Kumbhalgarh fort in Rajasthan, whose wall is about 36 kilometres long.
Who built the Red Fort?
The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, between 1639 and 1648.
More articles: History · Practise: History questions.
Sources
Found this useful? Share it.