"In a journey to understand the least written history of Central India. I rode for 27+27 Km to Jagdishpur Fort (Islampur) with friends Prasad Babu, Amir Rehman & Amit Mishra on 12.05.2024.
It is situatrd on Berasia Road, 11 km from Bhopal. It is a place where history of 4 dynasties converges.

Jagdishpur Fort is a protected monument of Madhya Pradesh Government, which is least protected by state government & left to turned in to ruins & rubble.
The fort premises is heavily encroached & the condition of fort is dilapidated. Only Chaman Mahal is under the control of M.P. Tourism, which is being repaired.
Tried to explore the history of this fort but archeological department's history board was not found any where in this premises.

Collected some information from Google, Wikipedia & local enquiry.

" A military stratigical fort of Jagdishpur was established by Parmar kings in 13th century. Later during down fall of Parmar Dynasty, the fort was taken over by rulers of Gond Dynasty and by Chauhan Rajput rulers thereafter.
In Mugal period it was a principality of Malwa, controlled by King Narsingh Dewra Chouhan. During 17-18 th century central india was politically unstable. In this period several Afgan plunderers & mercenaries were active in central India & Dost Muhammad Khan was one of them who was more powerful. He was appointed as Governor (Mukhtar) of Mangalgarh Principality by dewoger queen of Mangalgarh to protect her from neibouring chieftain & invaders. Khan was ambition & found an opportunity to established his own kingdom in this politically fractured region.

In 1715, Khan ran into conflict with another neighboring Rajput chief, Narsingh Rao Chauhan (also known as Narsingh Deora Chouhan), who owned the fortified village of Jagdishpur near Berasia.

Narsingh Deora demanded tribute from the Patel of Barkhera in Dillod, who had earlier given shelter to Dost after he fled away from the Mughal camp.
Khan agreed to negotiate a treaty with Narsingh Deora Chouhan, and the two parties met at Jagdishpur, with 16 men on each side. Khan pitched a tent on the banks river Banganga for the meeting.
After a lunch arranged by him for both the parties, he stepped outside on the pretext of ordering ittar (perfume) and paan (betel leaf), which was actually a signal for Khan's hiding men to kill the Rajputs. The ropes of tent was cut & all Rajput soldier were trapped under the fallen tent & brutally muedered by Kgans men.
It is said that the Banganga river turned red with the blood of the victims, and therefore it was renamed as "Halali" river (the river of slaughter).
After this incident, Khan took over Jagdishpur and renamed it as Islamnagar. He renovated & strengthened the fort and made the place as his headquarters.

Khan's cousin Diler Mohammad Khan (or Dalel Khan) had also acquired some territory, establishing the Kurwai State. In 1722, he visited Berasia with a proposal that the two cousins join hands in extending their territory, and their acquisitions of land and property be equally divided. However, Dost Mohammad Khan got his cousin murdered.
Later Dost Muhammad Khan shifted his base from Islamnagar (Jagdishpur) to Bhopal which was a village at that time but rich in water.
Later this fort was taken over by Scindia in 1806."

Sanjay K Singh

"A very big and peaceful place so beautiful architecture with ancient history of Dost Mohammad khan founder of Bhopal state. The place is beyond beautiful. Fort is awesome scenic beauty. For photography purposes it was awesome."

Anushka Singh

"Islamnagar Fort is a good picnic place for families. I went there with my family and few family friends and we had a good outing and catching up.

The fort is a historical location no doubt but do not visit with high hopes and expectations. It's a small fort and if you are going just to visit, it won't take more than half an hour.

If you are going with family, bring along badmintons or music systems so that you can have some fun.

Also, the place is a bit crowded on Sundays and public holidays. If you are visiting on such days, get there early around 12 or 12 30 so you can score a good place for yourself. And yes, the fort has some really great gardens."

Osheen Jain