<P> The impregnable citadel is built with huge ramparts overlooking the river and built in tiers . They were built of local sandstone quarried in the area . Chunar's quarries, notable since the Maurya period, were used in building the fort, and skilled masons were available locally . The external walls of the fort were not strong and hence it was breached when British forces attacked the fort with a battering train . The area bounded by the fort covers a length of 750 yards (690 m) in the north - south direction, with a maximum width of 300 yards (270 m) on the northern face, close to the river bank . The peripheral length of the fort is 1,850 yards (1,690 m). The ramparts of the fort have towers built at regular intervals with heights varying from 10--20 feet (3.0--6.1 m). </P> <P> Of all the gates, only the fort's west gate has inscriptions, which ascribe to its construction during Akabar's period by Muhammad Sharif Khan, who is presumed to be the son of an artist . He is said to have served under Munim Khan who was granted the fort and the surrounding lands since it yielded a lot of revenue, in 1567 . Munim Khan died here in 1575 . The west gate has the least ornamentation but has calligraphy engraved slabs . Other gates of the fort have carved panels and brackets . </P> <P> The Citadel which is the main structure of the fort, in its northeastern part, was mounted with many cannons and also had a gunpowder magazine . The "S" shaped brackets on the oriel windows have more similarity with the windows in the Agra Fort than other pre-Moghul monuments in eastern India . But some designs such as the knot motif are attributed to the Sur period architecture as seen in Chainpur and Shergarh, both of the Sur period, which attests to the fact that local artisans have contributed to the continuation of the regional traditions in architecture . A number of bungalows (mansions) are located between the trees, which were used as offices and residences of officers during British rule . The Governor's house, a hospital and the state prison are also located here . At the highest point of the rocky bluff within the fort, there is an old Hindu palace, a very large vaulted structure . A well within this area is 15 feet (4.6 m) in diameter and sunk deep; its water is commonly not potable . There is an underground dungeon, which is used as a store room now . </P> <P> A pavilion, dating to 1538, was used as the gatehouse . The Sonwa Mandap open pavilion has 28 pillars and is built in the Hindu style of architecture . An engraving on its mehrab is believed to be filled with gold . Bhartri Nath's samadhi is located at the back of this monument where religious ceremonies are conducted . Sonwa Mandap has four gates and a tunnel at the front yard of the building . It is mentioned that in 1333 AD, princess Sonwa, daughter of Sandeva, a Nepali king, came here frequently to take baths in the Ganga River through this tunnel . The access is from the fort . A bawdi measuring 17 feet (5.2 m) diameter and of nearly 200 feet (61 m) depth contains perennial water, its source connection to the Ganga River . It is also mentioned that princess Sonwa used this well for her ablutions . There is also a square stone slab with shade provided by a peepal tree, where according to the local legend, God is seated for 9 hours during the day and the rest of 3 hours of the day shifts to Varanasi, and further mentions that during the absence of God, the fort can be captured only between 6 AM and 9 AM . </P>

The quaintest relic of chunar fort is the shrine of