Kamlah Fort :-
Raja
Hari Sen started building the fort in the year 1625 at Sikandar Dhar
which was further completed by his son Suraj Sen. The fort with a
complex entrance has remained impregnable for centuries but in 1840
it was conquered by Bentura, Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s general. It
was later restored 1846 by the Mandi Kings. Kamlah Fort in Himachal
Pradesh is one of the strongest forts and was built from 1625-30 by
the rulers of Kingdom of Mandi. Local officials tried their hands to
form their own kingdoms after the collapse of Mughal Empire.
The
Mughal Faujdaar named Adina Beg who also employed soldiers in his
army tried capturing Kamla Garh but stopped as he came to know about
its strong standing. Another nearest ruler, Sansar Chand of Kangra
imposed tribute on Mandi but could not win Kamlah Garh. Sansar Chand
bought Sikh help to fend off a Gorkha attack and lost his own power
and everybody began paying tribute to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. This
gave more power to the Sikh army and after Ranjit Singh’s death; it
was difficult to control the army for which the Lahore court arranged
a campaign against Manal and Kulu under the French General Ventura.
Ventura invited the ruler of Mandi, Balbir Sen, to his camp and
deceitfully imprisoned him.
