The fort of Shergarh (literally, ‘fort of the lion’) was specifically picked by Sher Shah Suri for the safe deposit of his family and his treasure in the initial years of his career and when he clashed with Humayun before the battle of Chausa. Since the fort was a better bet than Rohtasgarh, when it came to taking ‘refuge’, Sher Shah had begun the work of fortification earlier. The river Durgawati encircles the hill of Shergarh on two sides in the west and the south, with the plains in the north.
Initially, Sher Shah had planned to build the capital here, to which the fortress (in the south) would have served as an arsenal and citadel. But he discarded the idea as the rocky hill-fortress of Shergarh is barren in every respect and is intolerable during summer.
Things to See & Do
The only site in the area that is of interest is the fort. History buffs may take out a couple of hours to look around the fort complex and the ruins.
The Fortress
The rocks are not as lofty as at Rohtasgarh, nor is the area so extensive; for the total length of the fortifications encircling the hill is hardly 6 km all around. However, unlike Rohtasgarh, the fortifications here are quite impressive and give a considerable show from a distance even in their ruinous condition as they span the entire edge of the hill and consist of a battlement walls approximately 27 feet thick near the main gate.
The Durgawati river defended the western and southern side, while from the traces of a large earthen dam on the eastern and the northern sides, it appears a ditch once existed to protect these sides as well. There appears to be only one main entrance from the north to the fort within; the other gates, if any, are not mentioned by any authorities.
The Citadel
The plateau on the hill is divided into two natural elevations with a low depression in between that is occupied by a natural reservoir fed by rain water. The lower side of the plateau, in the south, is now a deep jungle and possibly did not contain any buildings.
But on the higher elevation, towards the south, is the citadel housing the palatial buildings erected by Sher Shah. This citadel was approached by a flight of steps which lead to the main gate, now in ruins, which is flanked on both sides by two large pillared and flat roofed halls. Further up, there is another small gate. Within a large court, there are two underground chambers, one containing a well and another a nine-dome shaped square chamber, used as ammunition or provision stores. To the west of these chambers is a ruined mosque.
The Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace complex existed in the southern part of the citadel and the entrance was through a small gate at the north west. The palace buildings were arranged around two courtyards: Bada Angana (larger courtyard) and Chhota Angana (smaller courtyard). While the former was used for residential purposes the latter was used as a kitchen and servant quarters.
Location 173 km from Gaya Air Gaya Rail Sasaram
Where to Stay & Eat
There are no hotels to stay in Shergarh. It is best to do a day trip from Sasaram. Taxi from Sasaram to Shergarh would cost approx ₹1,800-2,000.
The Information
Location Situated about 32 km from Sasaram and about the same distance southwest of Rohtasgarh on the eastern bank of river Durgawati Distance 173 km from Gaya Route from Gaya Via NH2