When did Emperor Akbar order the building of Allahabad Fort?
Emperor Akbar ordered the construction of the massive stone fortress in 1583. The site sat on the banks of the Yamuna River near its meeting point with the Ganges.
Questions about Allahabad Fort
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who recorded that Akbar named the fort Illahabas meaning blessed by Allah?
Abu'l-Fazl recorded in his book Akbarnama that Akbar named this new stronghold Illahabas. Catherine Asher suggests the project was a direct response to frequent uprisings across eastern India during those years.
How many workers labored for forty years to complete the structure of Allahabad Fort?
Historian William Finch estimated that between five thousand and twenty thousand workers labored for forty years to complete the structure. The final design included three distinct galleries flanked by high towers along the riverbank.
When did the British East India Company first garrison troops inside the fort under the Treaty of Allahabad?
The British East India Company first garrisoned troops inside the fort in 1765 under the Treaty of Allahabad. Commander-in-Chief Robert Clive signed the agreement alongside Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula of Awadh.
Why do local Prayagwal Brahmins claim human sacrifice occurred at the foundation of Allahabad Fort?
Local Prayagwal Brahmins claim the foundation sank into the sand repeatedly until a human sacrifice occurred. They say a voluntary Brahmin gave his life so construction could proceed.