Palamu Forts Purana and Naya Kila, Palamau, Jharkhand India

Covering an area of 8,705 sq. km, Palamau District lies on the Auranga river near Daltonganj one of the most interesting places for historians and archaeologists for it was for many years the seat of the Chero chiefs. It was fairly well populated with many bazaars and protected by two strong Forts, one on the summit of neighbouring hill, the other on the plain. The capture of these forts by Mughals and later by the British resulted in the collapse of the Chero resistance. 

The forts lie within the reserved forests and in order to preserve them the jungle had to be cut back at intervals . The following account is taken from the Report of the Archeological Survey, Bengal Circle in 1903-1904 : “ There are two forts at Palamau, inside the jungle, close to each other. They are distinguished by the name of Purana Kila and Naya Kila, although the both appear to be of about the same age. The two extensive forts were constructed using a mix of brick and stone. The old fort is of regular shape, about one mile in circumference. The ground upon which it stands rises in terraces, the higher part is divided from the lower one by a cross wall. The four gates are strongly fortified with inner and outer courts and provided with watch towers. The outer battlements of the walls are loop-holed.