Forts in Himachal Pradesh portray the historical significance of this part of the country, and its royal heritage. Such forts have been witnessed several ancient episodes, invasions and regimes of different dynasties and conquerors. Though some of these forts have been destroyed and are in ruins, most of the forts have retained their glory and grandeur. Arki Fort, Kangra Fort, Nauni Fort and Kahlur Fort are the various forts which are existent here. Historians and tourists make a beeline for these monuments, mainly for their architectural charm. 

Arki Fort :

• The Arki Fort was built between 1695 - 1700 by Rana Prithvi Singh, a descendent of Rana Sabha Chand. The Fort was captured by the Gurkhas in 1806. Rana Jagat Singh, the ruler of Baghal had to take refuge in Nalagarh. During this period from 1806 - 1815, the Gurkha General Amar Singh Thapa used Arki as his stronghold to make further advances into Himachal Pradesh as far as Kangra. Arki was the capital of the princely hill state of Baghal, which was founded by Rana Ajai Dev, a Panwar Rajput.
• The state was founded around 1643 and Arki was declared as its capital by Rana Sabha Chand in 1650. The Gurkhas had invaded the fort in the year 1806. In the ancient days, Arki served as the capital of the Princely state of Baghal which was established by a Panwar Rajput, Rana Ajai Dev. Amar Singh Thapa who was the Gurkha General used Arki as a military base for making further intrusions into the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. 

Kangra Fort :

• Built by the royal Rajput family belonging to Kangra, the Kangra Fort is believed to be the biggest fort in the Himalayan Ranges and is the most ancient forts in the entire country. This fort is existent at a distance of about 20 kms away from Dharamsala town on the outskirts of the town of Kangra. Kangra Fort finds mention in Mahabharata and was also asserted in the war records of Alexander during the 4th century A tiny courtyard was added to the fort premises during the rule of the Sikhs. 
• At least three rulers sought to conquer the fort and plundered the treasures of its temples: Mahmud Ghazni in 1009, Firuz Shah Tughluq in 1360 and Sher Shah in 1540.The fort of Kangra resisted Akbar's siege. Akbar's son Jahangir successfully subdued the fort in 1620.Kangra was at the time ruled by Raja Hari Chand Katoch of Kangra (also known as Raja Hari Chand II)[3] Mughal Emperor Jahangir with the help of Suraj Mal garrisoned with his troops. Under Jahangir, Murtaza Khan the governor of Punjab was directed to conquer Kangra, but he failed on account of the jealousy and opposition of the Rajput chiefs who were associated with him. Then Price Khurram was put in charge of the command. The siege of Kangra was pushed on for weeks. Supplies were cut off. The garrison had to live on boiled dry grass. It was faced with death and starvation. After a siege of 14 months, the fort surrendered in November, 1620. In 1621, Jahangir visited it and ordered the slaughter of a bullock there. A mosque was also built within the fort of Kangra.

Nauni Fort :

• Nauni Fort is situated in the village of Nauni, on the Solan-Rajgarh Road, at a distance of nearly 15 kms away from Solan town in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
• The remnants of the ancient Gorkha Fort can be observed from the grounds of the Nauni Fort and Giri River is located at a distance of nearly 9 kms away from here. A few distance away from Nauni Fort is based the Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry. 

Nurpur Fort  :

• Raja Basu had erected the Nurpur Fort, more than a thousand years ago and is present about 24 kms away from Pathankotand 66 kms away from Dharamsala. Previously it was referred to as 'Dhameri'.
• Nurpur was founded in the 11th century by Raja Jhet Pal, who was the younger brother of the ruler of Delhi. It reached its peak during the reign of Raja Basu, from 1580 to 1613, who built an impressive fort that can still be seen today.
• Earlier Nurpur was known with the name of Dhameri. This was changed when it was visited by Queen Nur Jehan, the wife of the Mughal emperor Nuruddin Salim Jahangir, who ruled between 1569–1627. 

Ramshehar Fort ( earlier Ramgarh Fort), Ramshehar Tehsil distt. Solan

• Nalagarh was the capital of the kingdom of Hinddur founded by Raja Ajai Chand in 1100 A.D. It was ruled by the Chandela Rajputs. The Chandela kings were great patrons of art and architecture. Raja Ram Chander, another illustrious ruler of the same dynasty, was also a great builder who constructed the Ramgarh Fort (Now renamed as Ramshehar heritage fort resort in Himachal by the present occupants) and the town of Ramshere in 1540 AD. Raja Surendra Singh was the last ruler of Nalagarh and his son, Raja Vijayendra is the present ceremonial ruler of Nalagarh. The Ramshehar Fort Resort has a series of structures that are mostly built in the Mughal style of architecture but elements of Hindu and even the British architecture cannot be ignored. The Fort is located on a hillock at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas affording a panoramic view of the Shivalik Hills beyond the Sirsa River.
• Ramshehar Fort has been restored into its past glory between 2011-2014 by Abhimanu Group of North India. It has been convereted into heritage property. Shr Parveen Bansal is presently the Chairman Abhimanu group.

Sujanpur Fort :

• The Sujanpur Fort is located the district of Hamirpur on the banks of Beas River. It is also termed as 'Tira' and was constructed during the year 1758 by Raja Abhaya Chand. The fort is based on the summit of Sujanpur Fort. During the 19th century, Pahari and Kangra paintings were patronised by Raja Sansar Chand who had resided here. 
• For more than a century, Sujanpur Tira remained the royal residence for the Katoch dynasty. The fort in the early 19th century was also the residence of Raja Sansar Chand, who is reckoned to be the patron of Kangra School of miniature paintings.
• Sujanpura Tira houses five temples and a hall called Baradari, where the court was held in the realm of Sansar Chand. The entrance of the fort is an impressive one with signs of some excellent wall paintings over it. The main attraction of the fort is the Gauri Shankar Temple that is within the precincts of the palace. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shankar and Goddess Parvati and has a large number of wall paintings executed in the precision.

Nadaun fort :

• It is better known as Amter-Nadaun fort, which was once the royal residence of Raja Sansar Chand. Perched atop a hill, this edifice attracts visitors by its impeccably done wall paintings and frescoes. Unfortunately, the fort is in a dilapidated condition but it still manages to put visitors in awe with its exquisite architecture. It is an ideal place that reflects the rich history of Raja Sansar Chand and the Katoch dynasty.

Kahlur Fort :

• Kahlur Fort is present in Kahlur in Himachal Pradesh and it was established by Kahal Chand during the period around 697. The state was founded in/ around 697 by Kahal Chand. Kahal Chand had built a fort, which was named after him, and was called Kahlur fort. Another ruler of the state, Dip Chand founded Bilaspur, and made the place as his capital.
• The ruins of the fort are a well-known attraction on the Naina Devi Dhar/Hill a little distance away from the Ganguwal Hydroelectric plant. The fort served as a palace as well for the King of Bilaspur, Raja Bir Chand who ruled between 697 and 730 CE. 

Forts in Himachal Pradesh represent the reign of different historical dynasties and are presently popular tourist destinations. Some of these forts have been demolished while others are still intact.