Sheopur Fort, Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh India

There is no conclusive documented source available to tracing the historical origin of Sheopur Fort. However a Jain pillar edict dated 1026 A.D. refers to the existence of the Sheopur fort. The 11th A.D. the famous poet Khadag Rai of Gwalior in his renowned work Gopanchal Akyan mentions Sheopur. According to his account the king of Nareshar Ajay Pal (1194-1219) had declared Sheopur as his capital

 In 1301 A.D. ‘Allauddin Khilji’ on winning the Ranthambhor fort captured the Sheopur fort also which was under king Hammir Dev at that time.  In 1489, Sultan Mahmood Khilji of malwa won it and established an integrated part of malwa Sultanate.

In 1542, Sher Shah Suri captured the Sheopur fort. During his time an Idgah and after his death or grand masolum of his commander Munabber Khan made by his son Islam Shah is the interesting example of Architecture of that time.

After that Surjan Singh Hada the King of Boondi captured Sheopur fort. In 1547, Akbar captured the fort and consequently it because part of Gwalior Maharaja Daulat Rao Scindia had to fight the Gour king Radhika Das to capture the fort the Gours of Bangal had been awarded the Sheopur fort as karad kings by Mugals and generations of Vats Raj Gour continued to rule from it, before succumbing to the Scindias.

The 225 years history of the Sipahad kingdom’ as it is called a saga of untold valur and forcefully independent cultural identity. This is reflected there architectural remains, which are individual thriving tradition of performing art, paintings, sculpture and highly artistic style of living. The individual palace of Narsingh Gour, Rani mahal or Goojri mahal are striking examples of Gour architecture. The chhartries built as a mark of respect for the king Indar Singh Gour& and Kishor Das Gour after the demis is silent and solemn examples of symmetrically well-crafted architecture. The Scandias remained in control of the fort till India acquired independance. They contributed of the grandeur of the fort by adding new dimensions to its resplendent remarks. The late Maharaja Madavrao Scindia built a Diwan-A-Aam, The Darbar Hall, and a state guesthouse presently the Diwan-A-Aam.

The site of a Sahariya Museum, this is a window to the word of saharia life partners, who rank as one of few existing primitive tribes of India. A few portion of the fort have been taken over by the M.P. Archeological Department for protections and conservation.