Idrakpur Fort
In 1660, the Mughal Empire faced a crisis in Bengal. Pirates from Portugal and Magh used the rivers to attack wealthy cities like Sonargaon and Bikrampur. The province was rich but vulnerable to these river-based raids. A civil war over Emperor Shah Jahan's succession had weakened central control. Shah Shuja, the second son of Shah Jahan, led a campaign to Agra to claim the throne. This internal conflict left the region open to external threats.
Aurangzeb appointed Mir Muhammad Saeed Ardestani as Subahdar of Bengal in 1660. He was known as Mir Jumla II and had succeeded in maritime trade before his military career. Upon taking office, he shifted the capital from Rajmahal to Dhaka for better river control. His goal was to protect the new capital from pirate attacks. He recognized that controlling the waterways was essential for maintaining power in the region.
The strategy relied on three forts working together along the Shitalakshya River. Idrakpur Fort sat at the junction of the Ichhamati and Meghna Rivers. Sonakanda Fort stood on the eastern bank while Hajiganj Fort occupied the western bank. When pirates advanced toward Dhaka, Mughal soldiers fired mortars from cannons on 200 battleships and from Idrakpur Fort. If any ships survived, Sonakanda and Hajiganj would fire round-shots to sink them. This coordinated attack left no escape route for enemy vessels.
Idrakpur Fort divided into two distinct sections: an eastern quadrangular part and a western polygonal section. The brick walls measured 86.87 meters long and 59.60 meters wide. Bastions marked each corner of the structure. A circular drum rose 32.5 meters in diameter and 9.14 meters high within the eastern area. Another wall enclosed this drum, designed to mount a massive cannon. Towers allowed observation of enemy movements across the river.
Machicolations ran along the thick walls where enemies could be targeted from above. Mortars were fired through these openings during attacks. A staircase led down to a secret underground chamber beneath the circular drum. This room served as a magazine storing arms and explosives. Some myths claimed the staircase connected via tunnel to Lalbagh Fort. The main entrance gate featured a rectangular bastion crowned with machicolated merlons acting as a guard room.
Common questions
When was Idrakpur Fort built and what historical context led to its construction?
Idrakpur Fort was established in 1660 during a crisis in the Mughal Empire when pirates from Portugal and Magh attacked wealthy cities like Sonargaon. Aurangzeb appointed Mir Muhammad Saeed Ardestani as Subahdar of Bengal that same year to protect the new capital at Dhaka from river-based raids.
Where is Idrakpur Fort located relative to other Mughal fortifications along the Shitalakshya River?
Idrakpur Fort sits at the junction of the Ichhamati and Meghna Rivers while Sonakanda Fort stands on the eastern bank and Hajiganj Fort occupies the western bank. These three forts worked together to control waterways and prevent enemy vessels from advancing toward Dhaka.
What are the specific dimensions and structural features of Idrakpur Fort walls and towers?
The brick walls of Idrakpur Fort measure 86.87 meters long and 59.60 meters wide with bastions marking each corner. A circular drum rises 32.5 meters in diameter and 9.14 meters high within the eastern area surrounded by another wall designed to mount a massive cannon.
How did Mughal soldiers use Idrakpur Fort to defend against pirate attacks during the 17th century?
Mughal soldiers fired mortars from cannons on 200 battleships and from Idrakpur Fort when pirates advanced toward Dhaka. If any ships survived, Sonakanda and Hajiganj would fire round-shots to sink them creating a coordinated attack that left no escape route for enemy vessels.