Forts in India
The earliest forts in India were influenced by Hindu and Muslim architecture in medieval times. British forts initially used simple designs, but many were privately owned. The term "fort" became common in India in the 17th-19th century, with local languages suffixing fort names with local words. Three major construction methods were used: earthen ramparts, rubble with earth on the outside, stone and masonry work, and the strongest. By the 4th century BCE, fortified cities were common in India, with the largest being between Mathura and Magadha. The most notable description is one by Megasthenes, who described Pataliputra as guarded by a ditch with wooden walls and 570 towers and 54 gates.