Ramnagar Fort was built in Ramnagar, Varanasi in the Uttar Pradesh state of India. It is a 17th century fort and palace situated on the eastern bank of the Ganges River. The fort, still impressive in its magnificence despite minor crumbling, has been the ancestral home of the royal Maharajas of Banaras or Kashi Naresh since the 18th century. The Kashi Naresh, or king of Kashi, also known as Banaras or Varanasi, is given much honor and respect because he is believed to be an incarnation of the Lord Shiva, the Hindu Supreme God. He is an important part of all religious rituals and also the chief cultural patron. To this day, the fort-palace is used as the residence of the royal family members. The present king who resides in the Fort is Anant Narayan Singh.
Ramnagar Fort was marvelously built by Maharaja Balwant Singh using creamy red Chunar sandstone and precious marble. It was constructed in Munghal-style, using a blend of Islamic and Indian architecture characterized by picturesque pavilions, carved [Read more…]