Here’s a list of important forts in Uttar Pradesh, many of which are linked to royal families, wars, and ancient kingdoms:

forts in uttarpradesh
Agra Fort – Historic red sandstone fort of medieval India also known as the Red Fort Agra at sunrise. Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the city of Agra India.

Major Forts of Uttar Pradesh:

  1. Agra Fort (Agra)

    • UNESCO World Heritage Site; built by Akbar; massive red sandstone fort.

  2. Allahabad Fort (Prayagraj)

    • Built by Emperor Akbar; located near the Sangam of Ganga and Yamuna.

  3. Jhansi Fort (Jhansi)

    • Associated with Rani Lakshmibai (“Jhansi ki Rani”); major site during the 1857 revolt.

  4. Chunar Fort (Chunar, Mirzapur district)

    • Ancient fort; connected to Sher Shah Suri, Mughal emperors, and even the British East India Company.

  5. Fatehpur Sikri Fort (Fatehpur Sikri, near Agra)

    • Akbar’s grand but short-lived capital; an architectural masterpiece.

  6. Ramnagar Fort (Varanasi)

    • 18th-century fort; official residence of the Maharaja of Varanasi.

  7. Kalpi Fort (Kalpi, Jalaun district)

    • Site of battles during the 1857 uprising; older history linked to Mughals and Marathas.

  8. Rai Praveen Mahal and Fort (Orchha, near Jhansi – historically connected region)

    • Although Orchha is in Madhya Pradesh today, its history is tied with Bundelkhand (Jhansi region).

  9. Sikri Fort (near Fatehpur Sikri)

    • Sometimes considered part of the Fatehpur Sikri complex; contains ruins of older fortifications.

  10. Mahoba Forts (Mahoba, Bundelkhand region)

    • Associated with the Chandela dynasty (who also built Khajuraho temples).

  11. Deogarh Fort (Lalitpur district)

    • Ancient fort with Jain temples; dates back to the Gupta period.

  12. Unchagaon Fort (Bulandshahr)

    • Now turned into a heritage hotel; dates back to the 19th century.

  13. Kalinjar Fort (technically near the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Banda district)

    • Very historic; linked to Chandela kings and many legendary battles.

      More Forts of Uttar Pradesh:

      1. Barua Sagar Fort (Jhansi district)

        • A picturesque fort overlooking the Barua Sagar Lake, built by the Bundela kings.

      2. Kantit Fort (Mirzapur)

        • Old fort with links to regional rulers; now mostly in ruins.

      3. Sankisa Fort (Farrukhabad)

        • Historically important as a Buddhist site, but the area also has remains of ancient fortifications.

      4. Bilgram Fort (Hardoi district)

        • Built during the Delhi Sultanate era; important during medieval battles.

      5. Lohagarh Fort (Lalganj Fort) (Raebareli district)

        • Linked to local resistance movements during the British era.

      6. Gonda Forts (Gonda district)

        • Several small forts attributed to the period of Nawabs and early medieval kingdoms.

      7. Dalmau Fort (Raebareli district)

        • A strategic fort along the Ganges River, with deep medieval history.

      8. Shankargarh Fort (Prayagraj district)

        • Fortified area associated with zamindari rulers.

      9. Tanda Fort (Ambedkar Nagar district)

        • Once a Mughal military outpost, now more archaeological ruins.

      10. Rajapur Fort (Chitrakoot district)

        • Historical connections to Bundelkhand royalty and local myths.

      11. Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj Fort (Old Akbarpur Fort) (Kanpur Dehat)

        • Lesser-known fort from medieval times.

      12. Etawah Fort (Old ruins near Etawah)

        • Stronghold during the revolt of 1857.

      13. Sultanpur Fort Remains (Sultanpur district)

        • Fortified structures destroyed over time but rich in ancient settlement history.

      14. Sumer Fort (Lalitpur district)

        • Another Bundelkhand-era fort, hidden away from popular tourist maps.

      15. Vijaygarh Fort (Sonbhadra district)

        • Ancient and somewhat mythical; surrounded by legends, connected to King Vijaypal.

      16. Deokali Fort (Gonda district)

        • Another medieval fort with religious importance nearby.

      Special note:
      Many forts in Bundelkhand, Awadh, and near Ganges plains are more than 800–1000 years old but haven’t been preserved well — so often you’ll find ruins, temples, hidden passages, and ancient wells rather than fully standing forts.

      Uttar Pradesh Forts Road Trip Itinerary

      Start: Agra

      • Agra Fort (UNESCO site, massive, grand Mughal history)

      • Fatehpur Sikri Fort (nearby, haunting abandoned city of Akbar)

       Short drive (~1.5 hours)

      Move to: Etawah / Kanpur

      • Etawah Fort Ruins (Historic 1857 rebellion site)

      • Old Fort at Akbarpur (Kanpur Dehat)

       Short drive (~2 hours)

      Move to: Jhansi

      • Jhansi Fort (Iconic; Rani Laxmibai’s fortress)

      • Barua Sagar Fort (Beautiful lakeside fort near Jhansi)

       Very short drive (~1 hour)

      Move to: Orchha (optional detour into MP)

      • Orchha Fort Complex (If you don’t mind crossing into Madhya Pradesh — extremely beautiful!)

       Short drive (~1.5 hours)

      Move to: Lalitpur / Deogarh

      • Deogarh Fort (Ancient fort + Jain temples)

      • Sumer Fort (hidden gem for adventurers)

       Medium drive (~3-4 hours)

      Move to: Banda / Kalinjar

      • Kalinjar Fort (Epic! Chandela dynasty; one of India’s most impregnable forts)

       Medium drive (~4-5 hours)

      Move to: Varanasi

      • Ramnagar Fort (Royal palace-fort on the Ganges; still active royal family)

      • Explore Varanasi’s ghats and cultural heritage!

       Short drive (~1.5-2 hours)

      Move to: Mirzapur / Chunar

      • Chunar Fort (Historic; linked to Sher Shah Suri, Akbar, and even the British)

       Optional extension (~2-3 hours)

      Move to: Prayagraj (Allahabad)

      • Allahabad Fort (Magnificent fort by the river, built by Akbar)

      • Shankargarh Fort (small historic side-visit)

       Short drive (~2-3 hours)

      Move to: Raebareli / Dalmau

      • Dalmau Fort (Scenic riverside fort ruins)

       End at: Lucknow

      • While Lucknow doesn’t have many giant forts, it has Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza, stunning Mughal-style architecture.

      Summary Road Map:

      Agra → Etawah → Jhansi → Lalitpur → Kalinjar → Varanasi → Chunar → Prayagraj → Raebareli → Lucknow

       Tips for this Road Trip:

      • Ideal Duration: 8–12 days depending on pace.

      • Best Time: October to March (avoid extreme heat).

      • Stay: Heritage hotels in Jhansi, Orchha, Kalinjar, Varanasi, and Lucknow.

      • Add-ons: You can easily connect this with Khajuraho (MP) if you want more Chandela architecture.

        Here’s a list of heritage hotels and royal palaces along your fort road trip route through Uttar Pradesh — perfect for getting that maharaja experience:

        Heritage Hotels Along the Fort Trail

        1. Agra

        • The Grand Imperial Hotel

          • A 1905 heritage hotel with Mughal colonial vibes. Beautiful courtyards and royal suites.

        • ITC Mughal (Luxury Collection)

          • Mughal-style luxury, very close to Agra Fort.

        2. Etawah / Kanpur (limited options)

        • Stay in Kanpur at:

          • The Landmark Towers (Not heritage but comfortable 5-star option)

        (There are no true heritage stays in Etawah/Kanpur yet.)

        3. Jhansi

        • Jhansi Hotel (Old British era; semi-heritage)

        • Alternative: Stay in Orchha (next to Jhansi, about 20–30 mins drive)

          • Amar Mahal, Orchha
            (Royal Bundela-style palace hotel. Stunning property with domes, courtyards.)

        4. Orchha (Highly Recommended)

        • The Orchha Palace and Convention Centre
          (Modern luxury with old-world architecture.)

        • Bundelkhand Riverside
          (Charming old-world riverside estate.)

        5. Lalitpur / Deogarh

        • Stay in Orchha or Jhansi and make a day trip.
          (No heritage hotels directly at Deogarh yet.)

        6. Banda / Kalinjar

        • Rustic stays: No luxury heritage hotels here yet (Kalinjar is still a hidden gem).

        • You can stay in Chitrakoot nearby (spiritual and historic town).

        7. Varanasi

        • BrijRama Palace, Varanasi
          (REAL palace, converted into a luxury hotel right on the Ganges. Stunning sunsets!)

        • Taj Nadesar Palace
          (Royal palace property with a horse carriage welcome!)

        • Guleria Kothi
          (Boutique heritage stay at the ghats.)

        8. Mirzapur / Chunar

        • No palace stays here. Stay back in Varanasi and make a day trip to Chunar Fort.

        9. Prayagraj (Allahabad)

        • Khusro Bagh Guesthouse (semi-heritage, low-key)

        • Otherwise stay in a good hotel like Hotel Kanha Shyam.

        (No grand palaces here for stay, but the city has beautiful Mughal gardens.)

        10. Lucknow

        • Lebua Lucknow
          (Restored colonial-raj era mansion with stunning decor.)

        • The Heritage Hotel Clarks Avadh
          (Grand old-school hotel with Nawabi vibes.)

        • Taj Mahal Hotel, Lucknow
          (Modern luxury with subtle Mughal aesthetics.)