Quick answer: Kuthar Fort is the former seat of the rulers of Kuthar, a small hill princely state, in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, near Subathu and Kasauli. Although it is often listed under Shimla, it is not in Shimla district. The Incredible India portal places it about 33.5 km from Solan, at roughly 1,300 m, and describes Rajasthani-style architecture, wood carvings and paintings. Part of the complex now operates as a heritage resort. Incredible India gives visiting hours as 8 am to 6 pm, but no official entry fee is published, so check with the property before you go.
Kuthar Fort at a glance
| Detail | What we verified (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kuthar, Solan district, Himachal Pradesh, near Subathu and Kasauli; about 33.5 km from Solan |
| Altitude | About 1,300 m |
| Associated with | The ranas of the former Kuthar State |
| Current use | Heritage site, part of which operates as a resort |
| Timings | 8 am to 6 pm (Incredible India) |
| Entry fee | Not published on an official source; check with the property |
| Nearest railway station | Kalka |
| Nearest airport | Chandigarh (Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport) |
An earlier version of this article gave entry fees of ₹5 for children, ₹10 for adults and ₹100 for foreigners. We could not find these on any official source. Because part of the fort is now a private resort, access for day visitors may be limited, so call ahead.
History of Kuthar Fort and Kuthar State
Kuthar was one of the small princely hill states in the Shimla hills. According to the Solan district administration, the founder of its ruling family, Surat Chand, is said to have come from Kishtwar in Kashmir and to have won the state by conquest. Its rulers carried the title of rana.
- Gorkha period: like its neighbours, Kuthar was overrun during the Gorkha invasion of the hill states in the early 1800s, when Rana Gopal Chand was ruling. After the British defeated the Gorkhas in 1815, the state was restored to its ruling family.
- Last rulers: published lists of rulers include Bhup Singh (1815–1858), Jai Chand (1858–1896), Jagjit Chand (1896–1930) and Krishna Chand (1930–1947).
- Merger: Kuthar was merged into Himachal Pradesh in April 1948. It was part of the old Mahasu district until August 1972 and is now in Solan district.
How old the fort itself is remains unclear. The Incredible India portal calls it an “800-year-old fort”, while other sources date the founding of Kuthar State to the 17th century. The buildings have been altered and renovated many times. The earlier version of this article also gave a ruler’s birth year of 1949, and the names of family members, in a way that did not make sense, so these have been removed.
Architecture: what to see
The Incredible India portal describes the fort’s design as Rajasthani in style, with:
- colonnades, carved pillars and arches;
- extensive wood carving in the interiors, with paintings;
- gardens, freshwater springs and old temples within the grounds;
- views of the surrounding hills, the historic Subathu fort and, on clear days, snow peaks.
Part of the complex is now a heritage resort, so some areas may be open only to guests.
How to reach Kuthar Fort
- By road: Kuthar lies near Subathu in Solan district. From the Chandigarh–Shimla highway, travellers usually turn off towards Subathu and continue to Kuthar. Use a maps app for current routes and road conditions.
- By rail: Kalka is the nearest railway station, according to Incredible India. Kalka is also the starting point of the Kalka–Shimla toy train.
- By air: Chandigarh airport is the nearest major airport.
A correction: an earlier tip said “Subathu” and “Spatu” are the same place. Subathu (also spelt Sabathu) is a cantonment town near Kuthar; we could not confirm that “Spatu” is an accepted name for it, so the tip has been removed.
Places to visit nearby
The Incredible India portal lists these attractions near Kuthar:
- Subathu: a cantonment town with a Gorkha-era fort.
- Kunihar: a valley town in the same area.
- Kasauli: a colonial hill town known for its pine walks, Christ Church and Manki Point.
- Dagshai: an old cantonment town.
If you are combining Kuthar with a trip to Shimla, see our guide to the Mall Road in Shimla.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kuthar Fort in Shimla?
No. It is in Solan district, near Subathu and Kasauli, although it is often included in Shimla itineraries.
What are the timings of Kuthar Fort?
The Incredible India portal gives 8 am to 6 pm. Because part of the fort is a resort, check access before you go.
Who ruled Kuthar?
Ranas of the Kuthar ruling family, whose founder, Surat Chand, is said to have come from Kishtwar. The state merged into Himachal Pradesh in April 1948.
What is the nearest railway station to Kuthar Fort?
Kalka, according to the Incredible India portal.
History was checked in October 2026 against the Solan district administration’s account of the former hill states and published lists of Kuthar’s rulers; the description, timings and access come from the Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible India portal. Confirm access and any fees with the property before visiting.
