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Haryana Expands State-Protected Heritage Sites to Boost Tourism
3 Nov
Summary
- 6 new sites, including Kanod Fort and Sohna Fort, added to Haryana's protected monuments
- Forts and ancient settlements to undergo conservation and beautification
- Aim is to promote Haryana's history and heritage on the global tourism map
In a significant move to boost Haryana's heritage and tourism, the state government has added six new sites to the list of state-protected monuments. This includes the strategically significant Kanod Fort (also known as Mahendergarh Fort) and the historic Sohna Fort, which was built by the Bharatpur rulers and reflects a blend of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles.
The other new additions are ancient settlements at Aharwan, Asha Khera and Kodla-Khera in Palwal, as well as a group of five chhatris (cenotaphs) from the Rewari princely state. With this, the number of state-protected sites in Haryana has risen to 66, with 26 added since 2022 and 20 more proposals under process.
The government has announced a special plan to conserve and beautify these monuments, aiming to promote Haryana's rich history and heritage on the global tourism map. Heritage and tourism minister Arvind Sharma stated that the Kanod Fort, built in the 18th century by Maratha commander Tatya Tope, symbolizes the Maratha influence in northern India, while the Rewari chhatris highlight skilled craftsmanship and architectural integrity.
The ancient sites in Palwal district also hold significant archaeological importance, with Asha Khera showing cultural links to the Pandava era, Aharwan indicating early habitation before the Painted Grey Ware culture, and Kodla-Khera containing remains from the early Iron Age.
