Gondhla castle in Lahaul is a classic example of a Himalayan fortress, built around 1700 by Raja Man Singh of Kullu. Typical of this type of fortress, it has limited entryways and no permanent staircase to the upper floors. Approach to the higher stories is only by a removable wooden ladder, a practical defense against intruders. In times of attack, defenders would pull the ladder up and secure the entrances with heavy wooden shutters.
The fortress also includes a wraparound balcony on the top floor, designed both for observation and to give defenders a vantage point for launching counter-attacks from above. During its prime, Gondhla castle was a central structure in the Lahaul area, occupying the role of a shelter and stronghold for the local ruling family.
Today, while most surrounding structures have succumbed to the elements and time, this lone central tower remains a silent reminder of its storied past and a bold statement of the architecture and defense strategies of its era. This place is definitely worth a visit.
