# Agori Fort

Agori Fort is a fort located about 10 km from Chopan near Obra at riverside of Son River, in the Sonbhadra district, which is 35 km from Robertsganj, on SH 5 Road in the Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh India. There is a temple of Hindu deity Kali.This is religious place for the Agori Baba.Agori Fort was the residential palace of the Khayaravala and Chandel dynasties.

## History

There is also a confluence of Rihand and Sonnadi in Agori. Agori Fort and its ruins still exist, 62 miles south-east of Mirzapur. There is a Persian inscription of 1026 Hijri (1616 AD) in one part of the fort. This part was built by Madhav Singh who was the brother of Raja Madanshah. Agori was under Chunar government in 1026 Hijri.* 4 It is said that once Agoro was as big as Varanati. Here the strong kings of Kharwar caste had the dominance.page 382 A Kshatriya of Baland dynasty residing in the pargana of Barhar, Agori Fort, Bijaygarh, Singrauli, and other places in the south of Mirzapur district. The Baland kings of this tribe, who flourished about seven hundred years ago, occupied a large part of this territory, from where they were expelled by a colony of Chandela Rajputs in the beginning of the thirteenth century (c. Had gone.page 383 According to local tradition, it was as big as Banaras. Now only a few structural buildings remain. There are many temples in the fort, Gothnal and Agori. Ruins are also found on most of the neighboring hills. This fort was the residence of Baland kings for centuries, whose memories still remain amidst the hills and valleys. All the great architectural works found in those areas are attributed to the Balandas, who are believed to have ruled over an enterprising and industrious people. It is noteworthy that he is said to have built his buildings with the labor of Asurya architects, whom he employed. The forts of Bijaygarh and Bardi, and the large tanks of Pur and Koradi, are the fruits of his skill. page 385 According to tradition thirty Baland Kharwar kings were rulers in succession to the Agori, and twenty-two Chandela kings. More information regarding the latter will be found in the chapter relating to the Chandela Rajputs (A). The descendants of Balandshah established a kingdom in Sonbhadra district in the 12th century. Balandshah ('Kharavel') belonged to the Kharwar dynasty Suryavanshi. The kingdom extended up to the Belan River near Ghoraval and Palamu in the east, Singrauli in the south and Sidhi, Rewa and Ambikapur in Madhya Pradesh. which was not small in terms of the 12th century (Ramnath Shivendra 1984) Mirzapur Gazetteer (1984) states that the state was quite prosperous, by the end of the 12th century it was ruled by the Madanshahs, who were descendants of the Balandshahs, 12th century. Finally, a battle took place between the Chauhans and the Chandelas on the banks of the river Vetravati (present day Vetva). The Chandelas fought this war under the leadership of Barimal and Parimal and in this war the Chandelas were defeated and it fell to Vijayashree Chauhano. The Gazetteer writes on the basis of legends that Barimal and Parimal fled from the battle fields and reached the court of Kharwar king Madanshah and sought refuge. He is hired by Madanshah and given the responsibility of taking care of the livestock, elephants and horses. The descendants of present day Barhar state believe that he was appointed the minister of Agori Raj. Gradually, they consolidate their position and establish their credibility. The Gazetteer further states that, as Madanshah was ill, his son was asked to take part in the war. Madanshah, Chandel Parimal and Barimal work here to give the news of his body to their son. Barimal and Parimal did not inform about Madanshah's son and Madanshah's demise. Before dying, he hands over the keys of the treasure to Parimal and Barimal. They declare Parmal and Barimal as their kings. Madanshah's son returns to Agori and makes his camp around the Panda River, about thirty miles from Agori. Dantashruti is a descendant of King Balandshah of Madavas. Parimal and Barimal along with the Agori army, they surround and kill Rama, son of Madanshah and the prince of Agori. History repeats itself. Ghatam, a descendant of Balandshah and successor of Madanshah, formed a new army at an unknown location. In Shivendra Mahendra (2005), it is speculated that this unknown region is Rohitashvagandha of Sasaram or some place in the forest kingdoms described by Samudragupta. 1290 AD In 1757 AD, Ghatam attacked the Chandela kings of Vijaygarh. All the people of the Chandela dynasty were killed and in the attack, a queen had taken the big role of her maid while escaping from the fort. Vijayanagara reached the border of the kingdom and went to Vilgaongaon with the sister of Adhikari situated between Mirzapur and Chunar. With the help of the king of Vijaypur the newborn child was brought to Shahabad, where the deceased queen was a relative. The name of the child was Udandev, when Udandev became adult, he attacked that Agori with the help of king Kannit (present day Mirzapur). 1310 AD In 1757 AD, Udandev succeeded in conquering the Agori and the descendants of Balanda Shah moved to Madwas of Rewa where they remained the rulers till independence. And the Kharwar dynasty is related to the Chedi (Kalchuri dynasty). The heroic Lorik, the hero of "Lorikayan", fought and killed King Molgat at this place.

## Location

The fort is surrounded by the rivers from three sides viz. Bijul/Vijul/Vrijul, Rihand and Son River. It has also been enclosed with trenches on all sides to protect it from any attack.

## Attractions

The war between Molagt King and Veer Lorik was held here. There is an artistic idol of the Goddess Durga in the fort at the entrance to the courtyard. There is a well, which is said to be fed from some river. Thousands of people come here for worship from far away. Upon leaving fortress there is an ochre mountain, local people say that this mountain was launched edged sword.
There is a stone in the form of an elephant at the center of river son which is called Krmaamel elephant of Molagt King who was killed by Veer Lorik. The fort can be reached by boat from Chopan.