Image Source: AshLin
About Ita Fort
Perched on a small hill in the heart of Itanagar, Ita Fort is one of Arunachal Pradesh’s most important archaeological and historical landmarks. The name “Ita” comes from the Assamese word for “brick,” though the fort’s walls are primarily constructed from finely dressed stone masonry.
Built in the 14th–15th century, historians link its origins to the Chutia dynasty, which ruled large parts of present-day Arunachal and Assam before the Ahom expansion. Some local accounts also suggest it may have been constructed by an independent tribal chief to guard a settlement in the hills. Either way, Ita Fort stands as a silent witness to the region’s early political and cultural exchanges.
History
The construction of Ita Fort is an architecture marvel, especially given the hilly terrain and the absence of modern tools. It is believed that 80 lakh bricks and an equally massive quantity of dressed stone were used, weighing several thousand tons in total.
This suggests a strong political organization capable of mobilizing labor and resources in the pre-modern era. The fort’s strategic hilltop location would have allowed control over trade routes connecting the Brahmaputra plains with the Himalayan foothills — a key reason why such fortifications were built.
Over the centuries, the fort has withstood the humid monsoon climate, earthquakes, and vegetation growth, thanks to the interlocking stone technique that minimized the need for mortar. Today, it stands partly in ruins, but its gates and long stretches of wall still impress visitors with their resilience.
Architecture
Ita Fort’s plan covers an irregular polygonal shape, adapting to the contours of the hill.
Walls – Made from large, finely dressed stone blocks and occasional bricks, fitted so tightly that no binding mortar was needed.
Gates – Three surviving gates: the Eastern Gate (the most ornate), the Western Gate (facing towards the plains), and the Southern Gate (believed to be the main entrance). Each gate is flanked by thick bastions.
Height & Thickness – The fort walls vary from 1.5 to 5 meters in height, with some portions thick enough to withstand siege attempts.
Internal Area – While no large palace remains are visible today, archaeological surveys suggest foundations of residential and administrative structures existed within the enclosure.
The absence of religious motifs or temple remains inside the fort indicates that Ita Fort’s primary function was military defense and administrative control, rather than serving as a royal or religious complex.
How to Reach
Ita Fort lies in the central part of Itanagar city, making it easy to reach by taxi, auto-rickshaw, or even on foot if you are staying nearby.
By Air: Hollongi Airport (15 km) connects Itanagar with major Indian cities.
By Rail: Naharlagun Railway Station (15 km) has services from Guwahati.
By Road: NH-415 links Itanagar with Guwahati (~350 km), Tezpur (~200 km), and other towns.
The fort is open to visitors between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.