“Three protected monuments in the state, including Kamsa Fort, have been removed from the department’s schedule because the ownership of the sites lies with other parties,” Renu Dwivedi, Director of the Uttar Pradesh Archaeology
Vrindavan Today | Bureau Report:
23rd May, 2026, Mathura: Mathura Qila, one of the most historically and culturally significant landmarks of Mathura, is today battling for survival. In a major setback for the city’s heritage conservation efforts, the ancient fort situated on the banks of the Yamuna River has reportedly been removed from the list of protected monuments maintained by the Uttar Pradesh State Archaeology Department.
The fort, traditionally associated with the tyrant king Kamsa from the Dwapar Yuga, occupies a prominent place in the religious imagination of Braj devotees.
According to local belief, this was the site of Kamsa’s royal court nearly five thousand years ago during the time of Shri Krishna. Apart from its mythological importance, the structure is also considered architecturally valuable.
Historians note that the fort underwent restoration during the reign of Raja Man Singh of Amber. At one point, the site is also believed to have housed an astronomical observatory. Over centuries, the structure became an important symbol of Mathura’s layered cultural and historical legacy.
Today, however, the condition of the fort tells a different story.
The walls of the fort have become severely dilapidated, stones are falling from several sections, and thick grass has grown across the rooftop due to lack of maintenance. Conservationists fear that unchecked vegetation and prolonged neglect are causing irreversible damage to the ancient structure.
The removal of Kamsa Fort from the protected list of the State Archaeology Department means that no dedicated government budget or conservation scheme is presently proposed for its maintenance and protection. Heritage activists see this as a deeply troubling development for one of Braj’s most recognizable historical sites.
Adding another layer to the controversy is the presence of a nearly fifty-year-old office associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) atop a portion of the fort complex. Parts of this premises were reportedly renovated recently, and the entrance gate now bears the name “Keshav Sanstha,” which also functions as the entry point to Kamsa Fort.
Pilgrims and tourists visiting Mathura often seek a glimpse of the majestic fort while boating along the Yamuna. Instead of witnessing a preserved heritage monument, many are left disappointed by its deteriorating condition.
Speaking on the matter, Renu Dwivedi, Director of the Uttar Pradesh Archaeology Department, stated that three protected monuments in the state , including Kamsa Fort, have been removed from the department’s schedule because the ownership of the sites lies with other parties.
Heritage lovers in Braj fear that unless immediate steps are taken to restore protection status and begin scientific conservation work, Mathura may permanently lose an irreplaceable chapter of its historical identity.
