Hindaun Fort

Hindaun Fort stands in the Hindaun area of Karauli district. It was the stronghold of the Dagur clan of Jats, who established a principality of their own around Hindaun at the expense of the Mughals, and the fort served them as a defensive base against Mughal forces. Its position made it important for holding the region, and over the medieval period it saw a number of battles and sieges.

The walls are of red sandstone quarried locally and set in regular courses with lime mortar. High ramparts are broken by seven octagonal bastions, some reaching 20 m, topped with stepped merlons. The main gate has a horseshoe-shaped arch framed by floral panels, with guard rooms on either side, while smaller side gates once let troops come and go unseen. Inside, remains of a palace survive, with vaulted rooms and marble-lined niches, along with corbelled eaves, machicolations and jharokha balconies in the Rajput manner.