Culture & Heritage – Raisen Fort and Peer Fatehullah Shah Shrine
Raisen, located approximately 40 km from Bhopal, is renowned for the majestic Raisen Fort and the revered shrine of Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba. These sites are prominent heritage landmarks symbolizing the district’s rich historical and spiritual legacy.
🏰 Raisen Fort – A Symbol of Valor and Architecture
Built atop a sandstone hill, Raisen Fort is around 800 years old and spans over nearly 800 acres, making it one of the largest forts in Central India. It houses:
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Ancient Hindu temples
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A mosque
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Ruins of royal palaces
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Multiple step-wells (baolis) and a large water reservoir
The fort represents medieval Indian hilltop military architecture and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
While numerous temples once thrived inside the complex, only a few structures survive today—some now home to bats and myths, adding to the historical intrigue.
🕌 Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba’s Shrine – A Symbol of Communal Harmony
Located within the fort’s premises, the shrine of Hazrat Peer Fatehullah Shah Baba attracts devotees of all religions. It is believed that wishes made at this shrine are fulfilled, and thus, it stands as a testament to communal unity and spiritual devotion.
The annual Urs (fair) held in his honor draws visitors from across the state.
📜 Historical Significance
Raisen Fort has witnessed the rule of:
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Local Hindu chieftains
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Sultans of Mandu
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Mughals under Akbar (Raisen was a Sarkar headquarters in the Ujjain Subah)
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Nawabs of Bhopal, including Fiaz Mohammad Khan, who occupied the fort around 1760 and was later acknowledged by Emperor Alamgir II as Faujdar of Raisen.
The fort’s documented origins date back to approximately 1200 A.D.