Historical Gem Rediscovered: Navratangarh (Doisagarh) Chronicles
Navratangarh (Doisagarh), one of the capital cities of the Nagvanshi dynasty, which once ruled over certain parts of what is now Jharkhand, India, is nestled in the Sisai Block of Gumla district. Legend has it that King Durjan Shah relocated his capital to Khukhragarh, renaming it Navratangarh. Between 1636 and 1639, he commissioned the construction of a fort. The palace featured a five-story structure along with a “Water-Gate” and a Garh-Khai (moat) system. It housed a judiciary (Kiaclmy), a treasury house, and an underground dungeon. In 2009, it was declared a National Heritage Site
Geography
Navratangarh is located within the Gumla district of the Sisai Block in South Chotanagpur Division. It is situated approximately 30 kilometers from Gumla and 75 kilometers from Ranchi
Terrain Overview
The map below showcases a rugged terrain that includes partially hilly plateaus, encompassing the gently undulating hills known as Pat and a partially dissected plateau, in the southern-western part of the smaller Nagpur plateau. Three major rivers – Sankh, South Koel, and North Karo, along with several tributaries, crisscross the region, making it drought-prone. The hilly region contains substantial deposits of Bauxite. 93.7% of the population resides in rural areas
History
Legend has it that King Durjan Shah relocated his capital to Khukhragarh, renaming it Navratangarh. Between 1636 and 1639 CE, he commissioned the construction of a fort. After his release from Mughal captivity, the king decided to build the fort. Navratangarh was strategically located as it was surrounded by forests, hills, and rivers. Raja Ram Shah built the Kapilnath Temple in 1643 and succeeded Raghunath Shah. He also constructed several other temples. Yadunath Shah shifted the capital to Palkot due to Mughal invasions
