Why did Akbar built the Allahabad Fort in Prayagraj?

There are a number of reasons you will find online as to why Akbar built the Allahabad Fort in Prayagraj. It took 40 years for the fort to complete. It was finally ready in 1583. But why did Akbar choose Prayagraj. His calculation or guesstimate came true almost two hundred years later.

A history and a story

Maratha power first consolidated themselves in South India and later in Orissa. In Aug 1757, in response to the Afghan invasion, the Marathas send a large force to invade Delhi. Once conquered, the Marathas continued to gain control over Punjab and made incursions into Afghanistan. It was answered by Ahmad Shah Durrani amassing a large army to halt the marauding Marathas. They finally clashed on 14 Jan 1761 at Panipat which is the Third Battle of Panipat. 

Between 1761 and 1764, the Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II tired to consolidate his hold over the central province areas. After striking a deal with the Bengal, Benaras and Awadh State, they went to war with the East India Company which is the Battle of Buxar in which the British were victorious. 

British placed a garrison of troops for the first time in 1765. The Treaty of Allahabad was signed on 16 Aug 1765. It gave the British access to provinces of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. It also provided the East India Company an opportunity to directly influence the politics of Central India. From the word go the East India Company tried hard to gain control over the fort. Once the Nawab of Awadh was bankrupt, he finally handed over the fort to British on 1798. 

For the British, the Allahabad Fort was the ultimate prize because it gave access to Bihar, Bengal and Orissa. The fort could garrison large number of troops and stores due to the huge size of the fort. It was the largest fort that Akbar had built. 

Meanwhile the architect of the Alliance which went to war, the Mughal Emperor was almost in a house arrest inside the fort. He knew that a day will come when the British will have complete access. Shah Alam II finally got the opportunity to move out of Allahabad Fort and move to Delhi in 1772. 

The Mughal Emperor was brought in Delhi by Mahadaji Scindia. Together they started consolidating their power and position. First the took care of the Rohillas and drove them to the mountains out of Rohilkhand. This expedition enabled the Marathas to control Delhi, Haryana and the regions on UP upto Prayagraj. A permanent garrison of Maratha troops was stationed at Delhi. This scenario remained till 30 Dec 1803 when Daulat Scindia, the son of Mahadaji Scindia signed a treaty with the East India Company and handed over all the territories to the British.

But 1772 was not the first time the Marathas were in Delhi. Before that they send a large force which camped outside Delhi. The Afghans had kept the Rohillas in charge over a puppet Mughal Emperor. After two weeks of intense fighting, the Marathas drove out the Rohillas out of Delhi. The administration of Delhi was placed under Antaji Mankeshwar as a Governor of Delhi. This event happened in Aug 1757. 

So technically, we have the Marathas in control of Delhi from 1757 to 1803. While East India Company first placed a garison of troops in Allahabad Fort in 1765 and finally taking control of the fort in 1798. 

Central India was split into two power centres. One at Delhi controlling Haryana, Punjab and Western UP. Other at Prayagraj controlling  Eastern UP, Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. This situation continued for around 50 years. Allahabad Fort was the key for gaining control over the Eastern portion of Central India.

If you check out India 100 years ago, it was mostly divided into zones with large tracts of unoccupied or sparsely occupied lands and areas. The Ganga Yamuna region is the most fertile land and the cradle of civilisation. Cities and kingdoms have always been made next to rivers. So as per that definition, Prayagraj was a bottle neck. A place where someone could set up a fortification and exert control.