3D
No. 11. Rotasgur Fort. One of a series of plans of forts and passes on the W. border of Bihar, copied from the original by Lieut Robert Smith
Pen-and-ink and water-colour map of Rohtasgarh fort copied from the original by Lieut Robert Smith (1787-1873), c.1813. This is one of six plans of forts and passes on the west border of Bihar in the north east of India. Inscribed on the front of the folder in ink is: 'Plans of Forts & Passes on the South West Frontier of Bengal. Copied from the Original by Lieut. Robt. Smith of the Engineers.' Rohtasgarh is a hill fort near Sasaram, Bengal. It derives its name from the young prince Rohitaswa, son of Haris Chandra, king of the Solar race. Little is known of the fort until 1100 when it is supposed to have belonged to Pratap Dhawala, father of the last Hindu king. Sher Shah captured Rohtasgarh in 1539 and immediately began to strengthen the fortifications; but the work had not progressed far before he selected a new site at the place still known as Shergarh. Man Singh, Akbar's Hindu general, on being appointed viceroy of Bengal and Bihar selected Rohtasgarh as his stronghold.
The British LibrarySmith, Robert (1787-1873), Artist
1813