Octerlony Fort

The fort built near the entrance of Mehta Stadium in the premises of Central Reserve Police Force is a unique example of Indian British architecture. This fort was built by Sir David Octerlony in 1819 for the security and armory of the British army in Neemuch.

1 lakh 50 thousand rupees were spent on the construction of this fort. Before the barracks were built for the British army, the army used to live near Risala Maidan (near Shikshak Nagar) and the present Higher Secondary School. Its proof is found in the Octerlony stone. This fort with four square towers had long verandahs inside which were converted into residential houses around 1975-76. There are basements under the towers. There is a grave in the middle of the fort which belongs to Richard W. Prait. He was killed during the revolution of 1857. Near the left tower is the tomb of Baba of the fort.

The door of the fort is double. There is a permanent gate and the other one was movable which could be raised and lowered by the gears on the gate. There was a deep ditch in front of the gate which has now been filled.

During the first freedom struggle of 1857, the revolutionaries attacked it twice. In the second attack, a long siege was laid which lasted from 9 November 1857 to 22 November 1857. But ultimately it could not be conquered. Mr. G.S. Gill, Group Commandant Additional Deputy Inspector General of Central Reserve Police Force, has taken keen interest in establishing a special museum in Neemuch covering the history of the revolution of 1857 and the CRP. He has collected a lot of literature here by ordering it from the country and abroad. An exhibition of weapons and goods is being held in Prerna Bhawan. He is also trying to get the fort the status of a permanent museum.