Teliagarhi situated at the Shahibganj thana of the Santal Parganas in Bihar of India, is a famous ‘pass’ which formerly commanded the military approaches of Bengal proper. In Abul Fazl’s time (late 16th century AD) Teliagarhi formed the northwestern limit of Bengal. Bengal could be linked with the rest of the subcontinent only through three hazardous passages: Teliagarhi route, Tirhut route and Jharkhand route. The route of Teliagarhi is a narrow passage by the southern bank of the Ganges, with the steep river bank in the north and the rajmahal hills in the south.
Teliagarhi became the main gateway for Muslim armies coming from northern India and marching to Bengal from the 13th century. Bakhtiyar Khilji passed through Teliagarhi pass on the way to the conquest of Bengal. In 1538, Sher Shah Suri and Humayun fought a decisive battle near Teliagarhi. The rebellious Prince Khurram fought with Ibrahim Khan at Teliagarhi and Rajmahal for control of Bengal
Starting from Patna, this route passes via Bhaglpur and Colong along the southern bank of the Ganges with steep hills extending southwards for about eighty miles up to the northern boundary of Birbhum of West Bengal. Between the vast expanse of the Ganges on the north and the steep hills of Rajmahal and the rugged regions of the Santal Parganas and Birbhum to the south, the route narrows down at Teliagarhi. From the earliest times, Teliagarhi was known as the ‘gate-way’ to Bengal and a fort was constructed there completely blocking the route.
Teliagarhi fort was built by a Teli zamindar who converted to Islam during the rule of Shah Jahan. Maa Raksisthan temple was built near the fort in 1819.
How to Reach?
Karamtola railway station, located nearby, situated on the Sahibganj Loop, 9 km from Sahibganj.
