Pontoon Bridge on Holy River Ganges near Ancient Fort of Chunar dating 56 BC. Chunar owes its importance from the time immemorial as tradition assigns a high antiquity to the fort of Chunar. It has witnessed glorious historical past. In ancient literature this place was also known as Charanadri, Nainagarh. This fort was built by King Vikramaditya for his brother Bharthari. During Muslim Period, it was regarded as the defence key, over the eastern part of Ganga Valley. The fort was an important post during the battle between Sher Shah & Humayan and remained under Afghan control until Mughal Emperor Akbar recovered it in 1537. It was under Mughal control till 1750, when the Nawab of Awadh took its possession. After the fierce battle of Buxur in 1764, the fort came into the hands of British. From the tables of the fort it is found that most of the rulers of India such as Vikramaditya of Ujjan(56 BC), Prithviraj Chauhan (1114-1119 AD), Shahabuddin Gauri (1194), Sikandar Lodhi (1512), Babar (1529), Humayun (1536), Sher Shah (1538), Akbar (1576), Jahangir, Aurangzeb, Nawab Wazir, Nawab of Awadh (1750), East India Company (1772), visited this fort and left their vestige at this strategic point. It was garrisoned by Britishers until 1890, when the troops were finally withdrawn & the fort was handed over to civilian authorities.

by: Dr Sandeep