 Raibania fort | |
 | |
| 21°55′35″N 87°11′12″E / 21.9264°N 87.1867°E | |
| Location | Raibania, Balasore, Odisha |
|---|---|
| Designer | Langula Narasingha Deva |
| Type | Fort |
| Material | Red Redstone |
Raibania fort is a group of ancient forts in Baleswar district, Odisha, India. [1] This fort complex is considered as the biggest medieval fort of eastern India.[1] It was built during the reign of Eastern Ganga ruler Narasingha Deva I. There are 161 fort goddesses which are as "Durga devata" or "Iṣṫa devata" and Daṣasharu which is an aniconic form of the goddess Jayachaṇḍi.[2] Although three forts were recorded in the Ain-i-Akbari,[3] four forts have been found here: two of the larger ones are closer to the village Raibania, and the other two are closer to the village Phulta (Phulahatta).[4] According to The Balasore Gazetteer, the forts were devastated after the Kalapahada invaded Utkala. Post-invasion remnants of the forts except Raibania have been utilized for construction by the local Zamindars and villagers of the locality.[5]
- ^ a b Harish Chandra Das (1999). Sakta Pithas: A Study. Bharati Prakashan.
- ^ Thomas E. Donaldson (2002). Tantra and Śākta Art of Orissa. D.K. Printworld. ISBN 978-81-246-0197-6.
- ^ Bijaya Kumar Rath; Kamalā Ratnam (1995). The Forgotten Monuments of Orissa. Publications Divisions Ministry of Inf & Broadcasting Government of India. ISBN 978-81-230-0313-9.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
rameshwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ H. C. Das (1986). Military History of Kalinga. Punthi Pustak.