Chunar Fort

Chunar Fort, situated on a rocky promontory overlooking the Ganga in Mirzapur district, is one of the most ancient and strategically significant forts in Uttar Pradesh. The fort has a history spanning over 2,000 years and has been controlled by numerous powers including the Chandelas, Sharqis, Sher Shah Suri, the Mughals (Humayun and Akbar), and the British. The legendary Vikramaditya is said to have been imprisoned here. The fort's most distinctive feature is the Sonwa Mandap — a pavilion with a pillar from which, according to legend, a princess would select her husband. The cliff-top location and river views make it dramatically scenic.