a strong and celebrated fortress of Hindustan, in the British district of Banda in Bundelcund. Distant S.E. from Banda, 34 miles; S.W. from Allahabad 112 miles; N.W. from Calcutta 607. Lat. 25.; Long. 80. 32. It is built of stone on the top of a lofty mountain, is five miles in circumference, and is well supplied with water from several tanks which are inclosed within it. This fort has been often besieged, but generally without success. The celebrated Mahmoud of Ghizne attempted its capture in but, probably doubtful of the result, permitted himself to be appeased by rich presents, and withdrew. In 1543 Sher Shah, the Afghan who expelled the emperor Humayun from the throne of Hindustan, was slain in attempting to take it. It held out for ten years against Ali Behadur, the Mahratta invader of Bundelcund, who at length died without having made himself its master. At the commencement of the present century it was governed by a commandant appointed by the raja of Panna, but who subsequently disclaimed the authority under which he served and assumed dominion of the place. His successor caused much annoyance to the British government by affording shelter to the banditti of the country; and in consequence the fortress, early in 1812, was besieged by the British. On the 20th February, the breach being considered practicable, a storming party attempted the ascent of the steep and rugged face of the hill, but though the assailants pushed their enterprise with amazing intrepidity they were repulsed with great slaughter. So intimidated, however, was the garrison by the pertinacity of the besiegers, that its success was followed by overtures for peace; and eight days afterwards the commandant surrendered the fort on condition of receiving an equivalent in lands in the adjacent plain. The elevation of Callinger above the level of the sea is 1230 feet.