The fort of Bhai Uday Singh, located in the heart of the city of Panipat/Kaithal, holds significant historical value, but it remains largely neglected. Despite efforts to develop the fort over the past decade, more than half of the planned work remains unfinished. The fort has the potential to be a major tourist attraction.
Bhai Uday Singh Fort holds an important place in the history of the region, though it has only received external beautification, with no major development or preservation work done inside. Although the fort was renovated in 2013, the renovation was limited to improving its exterior, and no efforts were made to enhance its interiors or develop it as a tourist destination. The fort is a popular landmark, not only for the city but for the entire district, and serves as the venue for many district-level events, including the annual Geeta Jayanti celebrations held here for the past three years.
Historian Kamlesh Sharma explained that the fort was constructed in 1570 AD during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar, who built it for military purposes. In 1747, the Sikhs took control of the area, and the Sikh ruler Desu Singh made Kaithal his capital. His son, Lal Singh, continued this legacy, and Lal Singh’s grandson, Bhai Uday Singh, expanded the region to include Karnal and Jind. Bhai Uday Singh also built his palace near the fort, which is now the old SDM office. Bhai Uday Singh, who had no children, took over the administration in 1823 and ruled until his death in 1843. Following his death, the fort became part of the British Empire, incorporating Kaithal into British-controlled territories.
