Kanthkot Fort, kutch, Gujarat - Gujarat Places
Kanthkot Fort, kutch, Gujarat
It was the capital of the Kathis until the Chavdas became the new rulers of this fort. It is believed that a part of the wall of the Kanthkot Fort had crossed the fireplace of the great ascetic, Kanthadnath. Kanthadnath became furious and reacted by ruining the wall. In an attempt to pacify the ascetic, the builders had named this fort after the name of the ascetic. Consequently, the builders were permitted to resume the construction of this fort. In the middle of the 10th century, Kanthkot Fort became the destination of Mulraj of Anhilwad Patan. Mulraj fled to this fort when he was pressurized by Tailap of Kalyan Ketah. At this time Kanthkot Fort was known as Kanthadurg. In the twelfth century (1143), the Raja of Kanthagam, probably Kanthkot, from the west is mentioned as joining the Nagor chief against Kumarpal of Anhilwad Patan. In the thirteenth century, Kanthkot Fort was known to be the capital of the Vaghelas.
In the end of the same century, Mod and Manai Samma had conquered Kanthkot Fort. Vaghela not only surrendered Kanthkot Fort to Mod, but also arranged his daughter’s marriage with Mod’s son, Sad. Sad then ruled over Kanthkot Fort, making it his capital and living there. The fort’s name was again altered to Kanthadurg by Sad’s son Ful. As the fifteenth century (1410) commenced, Muzaffar (1390-1411) captured and controlled Kanthkot Fort.
Architectural Design of Kanthkot Fort
The Kanthkot Fort is based on the local architecture of the 8th century. Characteristically, this fort is huge and is made up of massive blocks of bricks and stones. The walls of the fort are mended in many places by smaller stones. It is known that with time these bricks and stones have strengthened. This fort has three small gates and one big gate.
This fort houses the remains of three temples within it. These three temples are Kanthadnath, a Jain temple and a Sun temple. Kanthadnath temple is situated on the west point of the fort. It is a domed structure which is known to be built in 1820 by Deda Jadejas. It has four pillars supporting a fine domed porch. Interior of the temple is adorned by a white marble image of Kanthadnath, sitting cross-legged. Prior to Kanthadnath, a much larger temple existed at its place. It is considered to be the work of Mod Samma (1270). In 1819, this temple was destroyed by an earthquake in the Rann of Kutch.