Bala Quila, Alwar, Rajasthan India

The Bala Qila is a towering spellbinding fort that stands atop a hill. Amazing fortifications surround the Nikumbha Mahal Palace at the top, which has graceful Bengal caned marble columns and delicate latticed balconies. The fort is 595 mts. above the city, and extends about 5 kms from north and south and 1.6 kms from east and west. The fort has 15 large and 51 small towers, which contains 446 loopholes for the musketry; its eight towers all around are meant for its defence . The most magnificent were 3,599 kanguras, each containing two loopholes for musketry. The fort can be entered through six gates, namely Jai Pol, Suraj Pol, Laxman Pol, Chand Pol, Krishan Pol and Andherl Gate.