Agori Fort

Agori Fort is a fort located about 10 km from Chopan near Obra at riverside of Son River, in the Sonbhadra district, which is 35 km from Robertsganj, on SH 5 Road in the Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh India. There is a temple of Hindu deity Kali. This is religious place for the Agori Baba. Agori Fort was the residential palace of the Khayaravala and Chandel dynasties.

History
The kingdom of Balandshah's descendants was established at Sonbhadra in the 12th century. Balandshah (Khayaravala) Kharwar dynasty belonged to the Suryavansh. Which was not small in terms of the conditions of the 12th century (Ramnath Shivendra 1984) Mirzapur Gazetteer (1984) states that this state was quite prosperous, till the end of 12th century there was the rule of Madanshah, a descendant of Balandshah, in the 12th century. Finally, there was a war between the Benvanshi kings and the Kharwars on the banks of the Vetravati (present-day Vetva) river. The Kharwars were defeated in this battle by the Benvanshi kings of Singrauli. The kings of Singrauli then put the Chandels as the chief of Agori and Vijayanagar. Singrauli State Gazetteer writes on the basis of public opinion that Kharwar, who escaped from Barimal and Parimal war zones, reached the court of King Madanshah and sought refuge. He is hired by the Madanshah and is entrusted with the care of livestock elephant horses and descendants of the present-day Badhar state believe that he was appointed as the minister of Angori state. Gradually, they strengthen their position and establish their credibility. Gazetteer further states that, Madanshah was ill, His son was said to take part in the war. Madanshah, Chandel Parimal and Barimal, takes the task here to convey the news of his body to his son. Barimal and Parimal did not convey this information to Madanshah's son and Madanshah dies. Before dying, they hand over the key of the treasure to Parimal and Barimal. Parmal and Barimal declare their king. Madanshah's son returns for Agori and makes his stop around the Panda River, about thirty miles from Agori. Dantushruti is a descendant of Balandshah, the king of Madwas. With the forces of Parimal and Barimal Agori, they surround and kill Madanshah's son Ramah and the prince of Agori. History repeats itself. Ghatam, a descendant of Balandshah and the successor of Madanshah, formed a new army in an unknown place. In Shivendra Mahendra (2005), it is speculated that this unknown area is Rohitashgandha of Sasaram or some place in the forest states mentioned by Samudragupta. In 1290 AD, Ghatam attacked the Chandela kings of Vijaygarh Agori. All the men of the Chandela dynasty were killed and in the attack, a queen was safely a big role of her maid while escaping from the fort. The queen then gave birth to child of the previous chief and then fled to Singrauli from where the Rajah of Singrauli marched with his army and quelled the rebellion.

In the end, the Benvanshi kings of Singrauli State put the Chandels as the chiefs (jagirdars) of the estates of Agori-Barhar, Vijaynagar and Kantit. The Maharajas of Singrauli ruled the state till Independence.

. Veer Lorik, the hero of "Lorikayan" fought and killed king Molgat at this place.

Location
The fort is surrounded by the rivers from three sides viz. Bijul/Vijul/Vrijul, Rihand and Son River. It has also been enclosed with trenches on all sides to protect it from any attack.

Attractions
The war between Molagt King and Veer Lorik was held here. There is an artistic idol of the Goddess Durga in the fort at the entrance to the courtyard. There is a well, which is said to be fed from some river. Thousands of people come here for worship from far away. Upon leaving fortress there is an ochre mountain, local people say that this mountain was launched edged sword.

There is a stone in the form of an elephant at the center of river son which is called Krmaamel elephant of Molagt King who was killed by Veer Lorik. The fort can be reached by boat from Chopan.