CHUNAR

chunar, or chunarghur, a town and ancient fortress of india, in the district of mirzapur, in the united provinces, situated on the south bank of the ganges. pop. (1901) 9926. the fort occupies a conspicuous site on the summit of an abrupt rock which commands the river. it was at one time a place of great strength, and still contains a magazine, and is fortified with batteries. in the old citadel on the height, the remains of a hindu palace with some interesting carvings indicate the former importance of the place. the town, which consists of one or two straggling streets, contains a handsome english church. chunar is first mentioned in the 16th century, when in possession of sing joanpore. in 1530 it became the residence of shere shah the afghan, and forty-five years later was recovered by the emperor akbar after sustaining a siege of six months. it fell into the hands of the english under general carnac in 1763 after a prolonged resistance which caused considerable loss to the assailants. a treaty with the nawab of oudh was signed here by warren hastings on behalf of the east india company in september 1781.