Kankwari Fort stands on a low hill deep inside Sariska Tiger Reserve, in Alwar district, Rajasthan — a square-walled keep you can reach only by jeep safari, well away from the nearest road. It is remembered in local tradition as the jail where the Mughal prince Dara Shikoh was held, and it sits squarely in tiger country, so a visit means booking a forest safari rather than driving up to a gate. This guide covers how to get there, when to go, what a safari costs, and how to separate the fort’s documented past from the story that clings to it.
Kankwari Fort is a hill fort inside Sariska Tiger Reserve, about 20–25 km from the reserve gates in Alwar district, Rajasthan, reachable only on a forest jeep safari. Popular accounts link it to the imprisonment of the Mughal prince Dara Shikoh, though documented history places his capture and death far from here.
Key takeaways
- Kankwari Fort lies deep inside Sariska Tiger Reserve and is reached only by a forest jeep (gypsy) safari, roughly 20–25 km from the Sariska or Tehla gate.
- The core reserve is closed each year from 1 July to 30 September; the best window to visit is the cool, dry stretch from October to March.
- The fort is reached through safari zone 2 and needs a longer half-day run, booked ahead through the Rajasthan Forest Department’s online system (fees indicative as of September 2026 — reconfirm).
- Dara Shikoh’s imprisonment here is local tradition, not settled history: records place his 1659 capture at Dadar in Balochistan and his execution in Delhi.
- The nearest railway station is Alwar (about 36–37 km); the nearest airport is Jaipur (about 110–120 km); Delhi is roughly 180–200 km by road.
- Sariska came under Project Tiger in 1978, lost all its tigers to poaching by 2004–05, and in 2008 became the site of India’s first tiger reintroduction by relocation.
About Kankwari Fort
Kankwari Fort (also spelt Kankwadi) is a square hill fort set on an isolated hillock inside the core of Sariska Tiger Reserve, in Alwar district, Rajasthan. According to its Wikipedia entry it sits at roughly 27.24°N, 76.41°E, ringed by dry forest and the Kankwari lake, with no settlement nearby since the village below was moved out.
Who built it, and when, is not settled. Standard references attribute the fort to the Kachhwaha rulers of Amber — some name Jai Singh I, others Sawai Jai Singh II — as famine-relief work, which would place it in the 17th–18th century. A claim that Aurangzeb built it to jail his brother is widely repeated by tour sites but is weaker, and it sits awkwardly with the Amber attribution, so treat the builder’s identity as unresolved.
The fort is compact but layered. Visitor accounts describe a tibara (a hall with three open arches) just inside the main gate, stairs climbing to a fortified inner compound, floral wall designs in the upper rooms, and a limestone-carved courtyard with a deep tank. From the top you get a near 360-degree view over the jungle and the lake. The structure is looked after with ASI involvement, while the Forest Department controls access as it falls inside the tiger reserve.
The Dara Shikoh story: history vs legend
The fort’s fame rests on local tradition, not documented record: residents and tour operators say the Mughal prince Dara Shikoh — Shah Jahan’s eldest son — was imprisoned at Kankwari by his brother Aurangzeb during the 1650s war of succession. You will hear this repeated on nearly every safari, and it is the fort’s main draw.
Documented history tells a different story. After losing the throne to Aurangzeb, Dara Shikoh was betrayed and captured in 1659 at Dadar, in what is now Balochistan, handed over to Mughal commanders, taken to Delhi, and executed there in 1659 (accounts of the exact day differ). He was buried, by most accounts, in the Humayun’s Tomb complex. None of the sources that carry the Kankwari claim cite primary evidence for a stay here.
So the honest version is this: Kankwari Fort is “the place where Dara Shikoh was held” in popular belief, and that belief gives the ruin its pull, but the Mughal chronicles do not confirm it. Go for the fort, the jungle drive and the story as story — not as a settled fact of Dara’s life. If you enjoy Mughal-era forts, Rajasthan has far grander, better-documented examples, from Amber near Jaipur to Mehrangarh in the blue city of Jodhpur.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Kankwari Fort is the cool, dry season from October to March, when safaris run reliably and the midday heat is bearable. The reserve’s core is closed to tourists every monsoon, from 1 July to 30 September, so a Kankwari run is simply not possible then.
Winter mornings can be genuinely cold in an open gypsy, so carry a layer even on sunny days. Summer brings better waterhole sightings but punishing heat; by April–June afternoons regularly climb above 40°C. The figures below are planning bands from general travel sources, not an official climate normal.
| Season | Months | Rough conditions | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Oct–Mar | ~8–25°C; crisp, dry | Best overall; carry warm layers for morning safaris |
| Summer | Apr–Jun | Often 40°C+ | Hot but good animal activity near water; start early |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Core closed | Kankwari run not available; only buffer/Pandupol route may open |
How to reach Kankwari Fort
You reach Kankwari Fort in two stages: get to Sariska on the Delhi–Alwar–Jaipur road, then take a forest safari into the reserve to the fort itself. There is no public road to the fort and no way to drive your own vehicle to it — the only legal access is a booked safari with a guide.
By air: the nearest airport is Jaipur International Airport, about 110–120 km away, with a 2.5–3 hour road transfer. Delhi’s airports are a longer 180–200 km drive but have far more flights.
By rail: Alwar is the nearest railhead, roughly 36–37 km from the reserve, and is well connected to Delhi and Jaipur. From Alwar a taxi to the Sariska gate takes about an hour.
By road: Sariska sits directly on the NH-48/Alwar–Jaipur route, so self-drive and taxi are easy up to the gate. From the gate, the fort lies roughly 20–25 km inside the reserve over a rough jungle track, reached via safari zone 2; Tehla gate is a little closer to the fort than the main Sariska gate.
| From | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alwar (railway station) | ~36–37 km | Nearest railhead; ~1 hr by taxi |
| Jaipur | ~101–110 km | Nearest airport; ~3 hr |
| Delhi | ~180–200 km | ~4–6 hr depending on traffic |
| Agra | ~250 km | Full-day drive |
The safari and what to see
A trip to Kankwari Fort is a half-day jungle safari first and a monument visit second. The fort lies far inside the reserve, so the drive there — through dry deciduous forest, past waterholes and rocky ridges — is much of the experience, with a chance of spotting deer, nilgai, peafowl, and, if you are lucky, a tiger.
Sariska runs two kinds of vehicles: open 6-seater gypsies (jeeps) and 20-seater canters. For the long Kankwari route a private gypsy is far more practical. One foreign-tourist listing quoted a 4–5 hour, roughly ₹5,100 round trip to the fort for two — a sign that this is a dedicated, longer run, not part of a standard short safari loop. At the fort itself, plan to climb the stairs to the inner compound, see the arched tibara, the carved courtyard tank and the upper rooms, and take in the view over the lake. By most accounts only a small share of Sariska visitors make it out this far.
| Stop / experience | What it is | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Forest drive (zone 2) | Dry forest, waterholes, wildlife en route | ~1.5–2 hr each way |
| Kankwari Fort climb | Tibara, inner compound, carved tank, lake view | ~45–60 min |
| Wildlife watching | Deer, nilgai, peafowl; tigers are rare and luck-based | Throughout |
Treat tiger sightings as a bonus, not a guarantee. Sariska’s tiger numbers are still recovering and the cats range widely, so the fort, the ruins and the drive are the dependable rewards.
Suggested itinerary
A Kankwari visit works best as a one-night trip from Delhi or Jaipur, with one full safari day built around the fort. A tight schedule can do it as a long day from Alwar, but staying over near the gate removes the rush.
- Day 0 (evening): Drive to Sariska/Alwar, check in near the gate, confirm your safari booking and ID documents for the morning.
- Day 1 (morning): Early gypsy safari to Kankwari Fort via zone 2 — allow the full slot for the long round trip; carry water and a snack.
- Day 1 (afternoon): Rest, then visit nearby Sariska sights such as the Pandupol Hanuman temple route or the lakeside, or start back toward Alwar for the city’s forts and lakes.
If you have a second day, add Alwar city (Bala Qila and the City Palace) and Siliserh Lake, which pair naturally with the reserve.
Where to stay
Most visitors stay near the Sariska gate or in Alwar, since there is no accommodation inside the core near the fort. Options range from forest-edge resorts to simpler guesthouses in town; the ₹ bands below are planning estimates as of September 2026 — reconfirm at the time of booking, and book ahead in winter weekends when the gate area fills up.
- Budget (₹1,500–3,000 a night): guesthouses and small hotels in Alwar town, about an hour from the gate.
- Mid-range (₹4,000–8,000): resorts and lodges along the Sariska road, handy for early safaris.
- Higher-end (₹10,000+): heritage-style and premium forest resorts near the reserve.
RTDC (Rajasthan Tourism) and older government-run properties have operated in the Sariska area; check current availability directly, as government tariffs and listings change.
Food to try
Food around Sariska is standard Rajasthani and North Indian fare, eaten mostly at your hotel or resort, as there are no eateries inside the reserve. Carry water and a packed snack for the long safari, because the Kankwari run leaves you out of reach of any shop for hours.
- Dal baati churma (baked wheat dough balls with lentils and a sweet crumble) — the regional staple.
- Gatte ki sabzi (gram-flour dumplings in a spiced yoghurt gravy).
- Ker sangri (a dry curry of desert berries and beans), a Rajasthani specialty.
- Alwar’s well-known kalakand (a milk-based sweet) is worth picking up in town.
Budget breakdown
A one-day Kankwari safari trip costs most in the safari itself, since the long route to the fort is priced as a dedicated gypsy run rather than a standard short drive. The table gives a per-person planning estimate for a single safari day based at Alwar; all figures are indicative as of September 2026 and should be reconfirmed, as fee sources conflict.
| Item | Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Safari (shared gypsy, per seat) | ₹1,200–2,000 | Long Kankwari run may cost more; full gypsy higher |
| Entry / vehicle / guide fees | ₹300–700 | Figures vary by source; confirm at booking |
| Stay (mid-range, shared) | ₹2,000–4,000 | Per person, double occupancy |
| Meals | ₹500–800 | Hotel/resort dining |
| Local transport from Alwar | ₹500–1,000 | Shared taxi |
| Rough total | ₹4,500–8,500 | Excludes long-distance travel to Alwar |
Foreign visitors pay higher safari and camera rates; a full private gypsy split among a group is usually cheaper per head than per-seat booking.
Permits and rules
No special inner-line or restricted-area permit is needed to visit Kankwari Fort — but because it lies inside a tiger reserve, you must hold a valid, pre-booked Sariska safari permit, which doubles as your access. There is no walking in, and no private vehicle beyond the gate.
Safaris are booked online through the Rajasthan Forest Department’s system, reached via the state single sign-on portal at sso.rajasthan.gov.in (the forest booking application has also appeared at fmdss.forest.rajasthan.gov.in); several private sites mimic the official booking, so check the URL carefully. Each passenger’s name, age and government photo ID go on the permit, and you must carry the same original ID on the safari. Foreign visitors use passport details. Zones are often allotted by the department, so state the Kankwari route clearly when booking.
Standard reserve rules apply: stay in the vehicle, no feeding or disturbing animals, no plastic litter, keep noise down, and no off-track driving. Drone use over a tiger reserve needs specific permission and is generally not allowed for casual visitors — do not fly one without written clearance.
Practical tips
Plan Kankwari as a committed half-day and come prepared, because once the gypsy sets off there are no shops, toilets or reliable phone signal until you return. The deeper zones can be out of mobile coverage, so tell someone your plan.
- Book early: the long fort route and winter weekend slots fill up; reserve well ahead through the official portal.
- Cash and UPI: carry some cash for Alwar and the gate; UPI works in town but not reliably inside the forest.
- Health and safety: the nearest hospitals are in Alwar; carry any personal medicines, water and sun protection. There is no altitude concern here — the terrain is low hills.
- Solo and women travellers: the safari is guided and group-based, which is reassuring; arrange your gate transfer and stay in advance rather than after dark.
- Packing: in winter, layers and a windproof for cold open-jeep mornings; in summer, a hat, sunglasses and plenty of water. Neutral clothing and closed shoes year-round.
Nearby places
Sariska pairs well with Alwar’s forts and lakes and with the folklore-heavy ruins on the reserve’s fringe. The distances below are approximate and taken from travel guides, so check a map when planning.
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Pandupol Hanuman temple | ~24 km (inside reserve) | Hill shrine tied to Pandava legend; a popular Sariska stop |
| Neelkanth temples | ~35 km | Cluster of old temple ruins near the reserve |
| Bhangarh Fort | ~45 km | Famous ruined fort on the reserve’s edge, steeped in legend |
| Alwar city (Bala Qila, City Palace) | ~36 km | Hill fort, palace, and Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri |
| Siliserh Lake | ~45 km | Lakeside palace and boating near Alwar |
Frequently asked questions
Was Dara Shikoh really imprisoned at Kankwari Fort?
Local tradition says Aurangzeb jailed his brother Dara Shikoh at Kankwari Fort, and the story is repeated on most Sariska safaris. However, documented history records that Dara was captured in 1659 at Dadar in Balochistan and executed in Delhi, with no primary evidence placing him here, so treat the Kankwari claim as legend.
How do you reach Kankwari Fort?
You reach Kankwari Fort only by a pre-booked forest jeep (gypsy) safari into Sariska Tiger Reserve, roughly 20–25 km from the Sariska or Tehla gate through safari zone 2. There is no public road to the fort and no self-drive access; reach the Sariska gate first via Alwar, about 36–37 km away.
Do you need a permit to visit Kankwari Fort?
You do not need a special inner-line permit, but you must hold a valid pre-booked Sariska safari permit, since the fort lies inside a tiger reserve. Book it online through the Rajasthan Forest Department’s system, carry the original photo ID used at booking, and request the Kankwari route specifically when reserving.
What is the best time to visit Kankwari Fort?
The best time to visit Kankwari Fort is October to March, when the weather is cool and dry and safaris run reliably. The reserve’s core is closed every year from 1 July to 30 September for the monsoon, so the Kankwari route is unavailable then; summer works but brings heat above 40°C.
How long does the Kankwari Fort safari take?
Plan for a half-day: the round trip to Kankwari Fort typically runs about 4–5 hours because the fort sits far inside the reserve over a rough track. Allow roughly 1.5–2 hours of driving each way plus about an hour at the fort, and carry water, as there are no facilities en route.
Are there tigers near Kankwari Fort?
Yes, Kankwari Fort is inside Sariska Tiger Reserve, so tigers do range in the area, but sightings are rare and never guaranteed. Sariska lost all its tigers to poaching by 2004–05 and its population is still recovering after India’s first tiger reintroduction by relocation in 2008, so treat any sighting as a bonus.
Last updated and sources
Kankwari Fort suits travellers who want a jungle drive and a ruin with a good story rather than a quick monument stop; go in the cool October–March window and book the long safari route ahead. Come for the forest and the fort, and enjoy the Dara Shikoh tale as legend, not as history.
Last updated: 24 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Wikipedia: Kankwadi (fort); Wikipedia: Dara Shikoh; Rajasthan SSO / Forest Department safari booking; NTCA Project Tiger (Sariska brief); Vagabond Images: Kankwari field account; Veena World: Sariska timings and fees; Tiger Safari India: Sariska guide. Accessed September 2026.
