Idrakpur Fort at Munshiganj

Idrakpur Fort at Munshiganj

In the town of Munshiganj, approachable by steamer and launches from Narayanganj, there exists a Mughal fort, known as Idrakpur Fort (pl. VI&VII), possibly built by Mir Jumla, to check the raids of the Mughs and the Portuguese, who then went up the river Meghna from Chittagong, and plundered in the districts of Dhaka.
Idrakpur Fort at Munshiganj

Idrakpur Fort at Munshiganj

Idrakpur Fort at Munshiganj

Idrakpur Fort at Munshiganj

The fort formerly stood on the bank of the river ichamati, but now the river has silted up at this spot, and the silts have buried the walls up to the level of the parapet on the southern side. It was not meant to be a siege fort, and hence provides only a weak defensive wall, with rounded bastions at the corners. The soldiers encamped here inside the fort during the rainy season, which was the season of the raids. One important feature of this fort is a big circular drum on the southern side, which is further defended by a wall of fortification. This big drum must have meant for mounting a huge cannon, which could keep away the raiders advancing through the middle of the river. Today on the top of this drum has been built a quarter for the sub-divisional officer, and the fort itself is being used for Jail.
 The big drum noticeable here is a special feature of the Mughal river fortress in this region.

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