The Raibania fort in Jaleswar block of Balasore. Telegraph pictures

Balasore, May 29: The gigantic Raibania fort here that had witnessed the reign of several dynasties over centuries has almost been reduced to ruins. The fort, on which only negligible research work exists, could perish even before its history has been documented.

The Raibania fort in Jaleswar block of Balasore district is a protected monument by the state archaeological department and identified as a tourist site in the state tourism map. Yet, neither tourists nor researchers are ever found here owing to the lack of infrastructure by the state culture and tourism department.

“A monument bearing great significance in the state’s history has been lying in neglect. Although, intermittent efforts were made for excavation as well as preservation of the fort in the late 70s, nothing substantial has been done,” said Aswani Patra, a local resident.

The fort is built of laterite stone and in the shape of an irregular pentagon with walls of various dimensions ranging between 2,640ft and 4,950ft.

Sir John Beams, the collector of Balasore, who conducted a study in 1872, presumed that the fort was built by Mukunda Dev (1559-68) to protect the north end to prevent constant aggression by the Afghan Sultans ruling in Bengal.

However, disputing Beams’s ideas several historians have proposed that the fort was built during the reign of Langula Narasingh Dev (1238-1264). “It is believed that the fort was built during the Ganga dynasty according to the plan and design mentioned in the Arthashastra by Chanakya. When John Beams measured its area, he found it to be six square miles. The fort fell in the hands of Moghuls, Marathas and British later. Today, it is in urgent need of maintenance,” said Srikanta Patra, a researcher and a local resident.

Vegetation has grown around and inside the fortified area. The sculptures on the walls and the entrance to the fort have also been damaged. There is no proper road and guesthouse near the site that deters both tourists and researchers.

“The fort is encroached from various sides and now houses human settlements inside it. The tanks inside the fort have been filled. Local people are taking away the stones. It needs guard and care,” said Aswani Nath, a member of a local committee that works towards the safeguard of the fort.

District collector Akhil Bihari Ota said excavation of the fort was on cards and added that recommendation had been made for budgetary provisions for the same.

“To make a budgetary provision for excavation and maintenance of Raibania, a recommendation has been made in the district’s five-year plan,” said Ota.