Built by the Nikumbh Rajputs, in 928 A.D the Bala Qila was conquerred by Mughal Maharaja Rana Pratap Singh in 1775 A.D. Situated 595 meters above the sea level, the fort extends more than 5 kms from north to south and 1.6 kms from east to west.

It has 15 large and 51 small towers and 6 entrance gates. Each gate (pol) is named after a person namely the Suraj pol, Laxman pol, Chand pol, Jai pol, Krishan pol and Andheri gate. Remains of the Jai mahal, Nikhumbh Mahal, Salim Sagar Pond, Suraj kund and several temples speaks of the grandeur of the past. Mughal empror Babur stayed here overnight. On his way to Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar the Great stoped here in 1579. Prince Salim (Akbar's son) resided here, in the Salim Mahal, during his exile. The palace is now in the ruins.
It is now a radio trasmitting station and can be entered only by permission from the police.