Visit Kuchesar Fort: A Perfect Weekend Getaway From Delhi

The Kuchesar Fort, approximately 80 km from Delhi, was built in 1734 in Kuchesar village, the Zamindari Estate of the Dalal Jats during the British rule. The fort was built to be the opium trading post by the rulers of the estate. Afrasaib, the governor of the nearby village of Koyal, took over the fort in 1763 with malicious intentions but was dispossessed of it by the Jat rulers in 1782. The fort went on to serve as the seat of the Jat Kingdom of Uttar Pradesh ever since Najib ad-Daulah conferred the title of Rao Bahadur to the Jat family. After much conflict and turmoil for power, the fort was assigned to Ajit Singh’s family.

The fort is also known as Raja Rao Vilas Kuchesar Fort. It was restored in 1998 and again in 2007 and today stands as a well preserved historical site. The restoration plans included the construction of a new dining hall, a swimming area, and residential units for families, the balconies of have a semblance of Mughal architecture with arches and lattice edges. The fort is now a heritage hotel as it exhibits rich architectural styles both of Mughal and British. It is famously known as the Mud Fort of Kuchesar.

Standing at just 80 km to the east of Delhi in the Bulandshahr district, Kuchesar Fort acts as the perfect weekend getaway from the bustling city into a blend of medieval and modern anachrony.

Things to do

Mudfort Kuchesar

As travellers walk around and marvel at the architectural genius of the place, they also have the option to enjoy the top-notch hospitality of the staff and enjoy the savoury cuisines of the retreat. The hotel is well-equipped with 16 well-designed guest rooms and spacious indoors for various activities and games such as chess, ludo, cards, crosswords, rangoli-making and the likes.

Outdoor Activities

Outside of the fort, visitors can indulge in wide variety of activities. You can partake in nature walks as the place is rich in fauna and gives you the opportunity for quality birdwatching. The place also offers bullock cart rides on which you can visit the village and get familiar with the local lifestyle and culture. Other activities on the list include horse-riding, swimming, soft ball cricket, volley-ball, tug-of-war, barbeque during winters, badminton and more. You can also visit the nearby jaggery making factory to observe the impressive production procedures and taste fresh, authentic jaggery.

Brij Ghat

Travellers can enjoy picnics at the nearby Brij Ghat on the banks of River Ganga, around 25 km from Mudfort Kuchesar. The place is a great spot for walks along the river in the beautiful landscape full of sugarcane and mango orchards.

Useful information

An individual day package at the Mudfort Kuchesar costs Rs 1,500 plus taxes. For children, the price is Rs 1,100 plus taxes.

To reach: From Delhi, at an overall distance of 80 km, you can take the Hapur by-pass road and travel up to the Kuchesar Chowk Chopala. Thereon, you will have to take a right turn and travel 7 km ahead to reach Mudfort Kuchesar.

Other notable sites

Khurja

At 20 km from Bulandshahr is the Khurja village famous for its fine pottery, ceramics, and handicrafts. The highly creative and artistic products range from decorative items tableware, to utility utensils, rich in both composition and quality. People from all over the place also visit the place for its famous Hanuman Temple.

Bulandshahr Clock Tower

You can also see the Bulandshahr Clock Tower. It is a brilliant example of Indo-Saracenic architecture located in the heart of Bulandshahr district in Raja Babu Park, or Malka Park. It was constructed in the British colonial period in 1837. In 1901, a statue of Queen Victoria was placed in this park and the park was named as “Maharani Victoria Park."