Uperkot Fort (Junagarh)
Uperkot Fort is believed to have been constructed by the
Yadavas (the clan to which Krishna belonged) when they came to settle in
Dwarka. Famous in bygone times for its virtual inaccessibility, the Uperkot
or upper fort is girdled by a wall that is, in some places, over 20m. high. An ornate entrance gateway leads to the ruins.
Although extensively renovated and extended many times during the course of its long
chequered past, its antiquarian outlook remains intact to this day.
Attractions
Cannons
The fort has many interesting exhibits like the two cannons placed on the western wall and believed to have been cast in Egypt. The bigger one is the colossal 5 m long cannon called 'Nilam Tope'. It was cast in Egypt in 1531 AD and left behind by a Turkish admiral who was assisting the Sultan of Gujarat against the Portuguese at
Diu in 1538 AD. The other cannon is known as 'Kadanal'.
Step Wells: There are also two interesting large step wells ('vavs') here. The 11th century
Navghan Kuva has a circular stairway that descends over 50m down into the well. The
Adi Chandi Vav descends down 170 steps.
Buddhist Caves
The fort has many exciting exhibits like the two guns placed on the western wall and believed to have been cast in Egypt. The bigger one is called the
Nilamtope and the other one is known as Kadanal. In and around the fort one can find numerous Buddhist caves belonging to the 200 B.C. to 200
A.D era.
In the Uperkot is a two storied cave said to belong to the initial century which is believed to be a Buddhist
Chaitya cave. There are also Buddhist caves at Bava Pyara Math found below the Southern walls of
Uperkot arranged in three rows. Scholars believe that they are Buddhist caves perhaps belonging to the period between 200
B.C to 200 A.D.
