ALLAHABAD FORT

 ALLAHABAD Fort is a fort built by the Mughal emperor Akbar at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India in 1583. The fort stands
on the banks of the Yamuna near its confluence with the river Ganges. It is recognised by the Archaeological Survey of
India as a monument of national importance.
 History:-

• The Allahabad Fort was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1583. Akbar named the fort Illahabas ("blessed
by God"), which later became "Allahabad".Besides the strategic location of Allahabad, Akbar is also thought to have
been motivated by the ability to collect taxes from the large number of pilgrims visiting the Triveni Sangam.
• However, this seems unlikely, considering the fact that Akbar abolished the existing pilgrim taxes in 1563. Akbar's fort
was constructed in such a way that it enclosed the famous Akshayavat tree, where people would commit suicide in
order to achieve salvation.
• The reason for this is not known, although some sources claim that he did it to prevent people from committing
suicides. According to a local legend, Akbar was a Hindu ascetic named Mukunda Brahmachari in his previous birth.
Once, by mistake, he consumed a cow's hair while drinking milk. Horrified at this sin (cow being a holy animal), he
committed suicide.
• He was born a mlechchha (non-Hindu) as a result of this sin, and was driven to build a fort at the holy Sangam.
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The local Prayagwal Brahmins claim that Akbar repeatedly failed to construct the fort, because its
foundation would sink in the sand each time. The emperor was told that a human sacrifice was
required to proceed. A local Brahmin voluntarily sacrificed himself, and in return, Akbar granted his
descendants — the Prayagwals — the exclusive rights of servicing the pilgrims at the Sangam.
• The Allahabad Fort is the largest fort built by Akbar. This fort has three galleries flanked by high towers.