General Information About Buxa Fort
Buxa Fort is situated at a height of 867 meters 2,844 ft in the Buxa Tiger Reserve, Alipurduar region, West Bengal. It is found 30 kilometres 19 mi from Alipurduar, the closest town. The Bhutan King utilized the fortification to secure the bit of celebrated Silk Route interfacing Tibet with India, by means of Bhutan. Still later amid distress in Occupation of Tibet, many displaced people landed at the place and utilized the then deserted stronghold as the refuge. Its birthplace is unverifiable. Prior to the control of the post by the British, it was a state of a dispute between the King of Bhutan and the Cooch Kings. The British on welcome of the Cooch King mediated and caught the fortress which was formally given over to the British on November 11, 1865 as a major aspect of Treaty of Sinchula. The British recreated the stronghold from its bamboo wood structure to stone structure. The stronghold was to later be utilized as a high-security jail and confinement camp in the 1930s. It was the most infamous and inaccessible jail in India after the Cellular Jail in Andaman. Patriot progressives having a place with the Anushilan Samiti and Yugantar gathering, for example, Krishnapada Chakraborty were detained there in the 1930s. Forward Bloc pioneer and ex-Law Minister of West Bengal.
Best Time to Visit Buxa Fort
The tourist can visit the Buxa Fort in Jalpaiguri at any time of the year excepting the monsoon as the forests remain closed.
Buxa Fort and Tiger Reserve Forest ( বক্সা দুর্গ - বক্সা টাইগার রিজার্ভ অরণ্য)
Buxa Tiger Reserve Forest is home to over 400 species of trees, 400 species of herbs, 150 species of orchids, 250 species of shrubs, 100 species of grass, and about 130 species of aquatic flora. The forest is full of Champa, Simul, Chikrasi, Gamar and Sal trees. Even the fauna has a wide variety in it. Asian Tiger, elephant, bison, sambar, giant squirrel, antelopes and wild boar can be spotted in the jungle. The forest is also a bird watcher’s paradise boasting 284 species of birds. Beautifully coloured butterflies can also be found here. The Narthali Lake and the banks of Raidak and Jayanti Rivers are popular spots for watching migratory birds. It is home to some endangered species of animals as well.
Buxa Fort lies about 4 kilometers from the forest. Now only the ruins can be seen which used to be a major seat of the British administration once. Since it sits at an altitude of 2600 feet you have to trek through the forest to reach it. The fort used to serve as a prison for the British at one point and therefore even the ruins have a lot of historical significance. Number of trekking routes originates from here which include Santrabari, Rover’s Point, Rupam Valley and Jayanti village to fulfil your dose for adventure.
A Small Village Lepchakha Near Buxa Fort.
Lepchakha is a small Drukpa village on a hilltop inside the Buxa Tiger reserve. The village is located close to Bhutan, the areal distance not being more than 2 to 3 kms. There is a border outpost of the security agencies here. The village has a very small population of about a hundred people.
Buxa Tiger Reserve is well connected to the major modes of conveyance. If you are traveling by train, you have to reach Alipurduar station which is 37 kilometers from Buxa forest. You can hire a taxi from the station. Alternatively, you can fly by air for which the only airport is Bagdogra. People who are traveling by their own car should take the NH-31 to reach Bux through Rajabhatkhawa which is 25 kilometers away from the spot.
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