History of Salimgarh Fort
Salim Shah Suri, son of Sher Shah Suri built this fort in 1546 AD, on a former island of the Yamuna River. This fort was named Salimgarh Fort. There was a pause in Mughal rule when in 1540 AD Sher Shah Suri defeated the Mughal Emperor Humayun (and ousted him from Delhi) and established the Sur dynasty rule in Delhi. Sur dynasty rule lasted till 1555 AD when Humayun regained his kingdom by defeating Sikander Suri, the last ruler of the dynasty. During the Mughal period, several Mughal rulers, including Emperor Shah Jahan, who completed Shahjahanabad in 1639 AD, camped at this fort while building the Red Fort and Shahjahanabad. Historical accounts suggest that Humayun camped at this fort for three days before launching his successful attack to recapture Delhi.
Transformation into a Prison
Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor, converted the fort into a prison. The British, who took control of the fort in 1857, perpetuated this practice. The Fort is part of the Red Fort Complex. The declaration of the complex as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007 obligates the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to ensure well-planned conservation measures for the heritage monuments.
Strategic Location
The location chosen for building the fortification was in the Delhi plains (with an elevation range of 80–110 feet (24–34 m), hemmed by the Yamuna River on one side and the northern spur of the Aravalli range of hills on the other side. The architects visualized the topography of the land area with the rock exposures at the Fort’s location, along with a favorable link with the northeast trending ridge and Juma Masjid, as an ideal setting that provided the needed protection against erosion by the Yamuna River. It was also obvious that a stream on one side and a mountain ridge on the other side of any fortification would be a formidable barrier for invaders to penetrate Delhi, as such a setting would only force the invaders to follow the river course. Considering these advantages, they built the Salimgarh Fort in 1546.
However, Humayun after he won back the Empire renamed Salimghar Fort “Nurghar” since the first ruler of the Sur Dynasty, Sher Shah Suri (father of Salim Shah Suri who had built the fort) had earlier usurped his Kingdom in 1540 AD. He had, therefore, decreed that nobody would use its original name in his court.
Role in the Sepoy Mutiny
During British rule, the Sepoy Mutiny, also known as the First War of Independence, erupted in 1857. British forces captured and took the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar II, as a prisoner at Humayun’s Tomb. Salimgarh Fort became a focal point of intense war activity during this period. Emperor Bahadur Shah II actively participated in the uprising, operating from the fort. Throughout August and early September 1857, he conducted meetings at the fort to strategize the war efforts. From the fort’s ramparts, he observed artillery fire directed at the British Army.
Employing psychological tactics, the Emperor engaged with his army officers who sought salary concessions. He offered to sacrifice his crown jewels and even expressed readiness to lay down his life for the cause. However, the officers, believing his sincerity, declined the offer. Proclamations rallied people across caste and creed to join the fight against the British.
As British soldiers closed in on the fort in mid-September 1857, Bahadur Shah Zafar II faced a critical decision. His trusted aide, Bhakt Khan, urged him to abandon the fort and seek refuge in a safer location to continue the struggle. Despite the urging, the Emperor chose to vacate the fort while relocating to Humayun’s Tomb.
When the British Fourth Infantry entered Salimgarh Fort, they encountered only a lone sentry. Similar experiences were reported by other regiments, such as the Punjab Fourth Infantry, when entering the Red Fort from the Lahore gate. This marked a significant turning point in the British suppression of the uprising and the subsequent capture of key leaders.
After the Uprising was put down, the British used the fort as an army camp, housing artillery units. However, from 1945, it served as a penitentiary for prisoners from the Indian National Army (INA).