Gawilgad Fort, Chikhaldara, Maharashtra

Gawilgad Fort, Chikhaldara, Maharashtra

Gawilgad Fort is an ancient fort situated in Chikhaldara Hill Station in Chikhaldara Taluk in Amravati District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Gawilgad is also known as Gawilghur / Gawilgarh. Gawilgad was a well-fortified mountain stronghold of the Maratha Empire north of the Deccan Plateau, in the vicinity of Melghat Tiger Reserve.

History

The fort derives its name from the Gawli (cow herds) who inhabited the Berar (modern day Amravati) for centuries. It is believed that the rulers of Gawlis built this fort in the 12^th century CE. As per the Persian historian, Firishta, records that Ahmed Shah Wali, the ninth king of the Bahamani dynasty reconstructed Gawilgarh when he was encamped at Ellichpur in 1425 CE. The fortress was one of the major strongly fortified defensive structures of the Maratha Empire north of the Deccan Plateau. The fort was besieged by Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) in 1803 CE during the second Anglo Maratha war.

After two failed attempts at the main gate by British and Sepoy companies, and many casualties, Captain Campbell led the 94^th Highlanders (light company) up the ravine dividing the inner and outer forts and into the inner fort by escalade. The Scots then forced the northern gatehouse and opened the many gates, allowing the remaining British forces entry. The British suffered few casualties in the final assault (approx. 150). The fortress was returned to the Killedar Rana Shivsingh Rajput of the Maratha Empire, after making peace with the British but they abandoned it.

The Fort Complex

The fort is situated at the top of Gawilgad Hills at a height of about 1,103 m. It was initially a mud block fort. The traces of its mud structures are still seen inside the fort areas. Later, the fort was built with stones. It has seven gateways built along the ramparts. The fortification has many cylindrical and square shaped bastions. There are many pillared open verandahs built here with a few curved dooms on them. The fort has several inscriptions in Persian recording the date of building of each of its seven gates. There is a ruined mosque in the fort. It stands at the highest point in the inner fort and is built in the Pathan style of architecture.

The mosque has a square canopy with intricate stone lattice work and a seven arched façade. The mosque originally had two minarets, only one of which is intact today. It has two water tanks (Devtalav and Khantalav), which would have been the main water source in case the fort was besieged. There are several unrepaired breaches made by British guns, which remain to this day. The gun that killed five attackers with a single shot still stands, although now with graffiti running the length of the barrel. There is an underground tunnel connecting this fort with Narnala fort.

Connectivity

The fort is located at about 2.5 Kms from Chikhaldara Bus Stand. Chikhaldara is located at about 27 Kms from Semadoh, 34 Kms from Paratwada Bus Stand, 36 Kms from Paratwada, 49 Kms from Harisal, 58 Kms from Kolkas, 83 Kms from Amravati, 85 Kms from Amravati Railway Station, 95 Kms from Shahanur and 224 Kms from Nagpur Airport. Chikhaldara is situated at about 36 Kms to the north-west of Paratwada. Chikhaldara is well connected to the cities of Paratwada, Amravati, Akola, Betul, Khandwa and Burhanpur by road. MSRTC plies buses from Nagpur to Chikhaldara via Amravati-Paratwada.

Location

Narnala Fort, Shahanur, Maharashtra

Narnala Fort, Shahanur, Maharashtra

Narnala Fort is a hill fortress situated in Shahnoor Village in Akot Taluk in Akola District in the Indian State of Maharashtra. The fort is also called as Narnala Qila Sarkar / Shahnoor Fort. The fort complex is situated on an isolated hill at the southernmost tip of the Satpura Hills at an elevation of 932 meters above sea level. The fort is situated within the Melghat Tiger Reserve.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/02/narnala-fort-shahanur-history.html

The Fort Complex

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/02/narnala-fort-shahanur-fort-complex.html

Connectivity

The fort complex is located at about 15 Kms from Popatkhed Dam, 26 Kms from Akot, 26 Kms from Akot Bus Stand, 27 Kms from Akot Railway Station, 75 Kms from Akola, 78 Kms from Harisal and 269 Kms from Nagpur Airport. The fort complex is situated at about 15 Kms to the north-west of Popatkhed Dam on Akot to Harisal route.

Location

Bhairavgad Fort, Wari, Maharashtra

Bhairavgad Fort, Wari, Maharashtra

Bhairavgad Fort is a small hill fort situated in Wari Village in Telhara Taluk in Akola District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is situated on the banks of the Wan River. The fort is located on the border of Akola, Amravati, and Buldhana Districts.

The Fort

The fort is in a ruined state and situated on top of a small hill. This fort lies on the foothills of Satpura hill range. The entrance gate of fort can be reached after a trek of about 10 mins from the Wari village. The entrance gate and bastion are the only notable surviving structures of the fort. There is a newly built temple dedicated to Lord Bhairav near the entrance gate. Sculptures of Hindu deities can be seen beside the temple. The Hanuman Sagar dam built across Wan River can be seen from this fort.

Connectivity

The fort is located at about 8 Kms from Warkhed, 16 Kms from Tunki, 27 Kms from Telhara, 35 Kms from Akot, 35 Kms from Akot Railway Station, 121 Kms from Amravati, 160 Kms from Jalgaon Airport and 277 Kms from Aurangabad Airport. The fort is situated at about 8 Kms to the north of Warkhed on Tunki to Akot route.

Location

Palpur Fort, Palpur, Madhya Pradesh

Palpur Fort, Palpur, Madhya Pradesh

Palpur Fort is an ancient fort located in Palpur Village in Vijaypur Taluk in Sheopur District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. This fort is situated inside the Kuno National Park. This fort is situated on the left bank of the Kuno River.

History

Palpur, Sabalgarh, Sumawali, and Vijaypur forts were built by the rulers of Sabalgarh, who were Jadon Rajputs from Karauli. The Palpur fortress was probably rebuilt in the beginning of the 18^th century by Raja Gopal Singh of Karauli. Later, it was taken from Dhandheles, who were under Karauli Raja. The Jaghirdars of Palpur draw their line from Yaduvanshi (Jadon) Rajputs. They are descendants of Bali Bahadur, son of Raja Dwarka Das of Karauli (1569).  

As per historians, this fort served as a sanctuary to Chandravanshi Raja Bal Bahadur Singh, who assumed the throne in 1666. Later, Thakur Barjor Singh obtained Palpur Jagir from his father Rupnarayan Singh. Thakur Jawan Singh captured Palpur from Dhandheles in 1794 CE. Thakur Balabhadra Singh, Pratap Singh, Jaisingh, Shivratan Singh Madho Singh and Kishor Singh ruled Palpur as Jaghirdars consequently. Thakur Jagmohan Singh was the last ruler of Palpur Thikana who has since shifted to Gwalior.

The Fort

The fort is enclosed by a massive wall with imposing bastions at regular intervals. It was protected by the Kuno River as a natural defence. A temple and Kachahari still exist inside the fort. The fort has two entrance gates. The second gate has two storeys.

Connectivity

The fort is located at about 18 Kms from Agara, 39 Kms from Vijaypur, 39 Kms from Vijaypur Bus Stand, 67 Kms from Sabalgarh, 78 Kms from Padarkheda Railway Station, 110 Kms from Shivpuri, 157 Kms from Sheopur and 167 Kms from Gwalior Airport. The fort is situated about 39 Kms to the south west of Vijaypur on the Sabalgarh to Shivpuri route.

Location

Amet Fort, Amet, Madhya Pradesh

Amet Fort, Amet, Madhya Pradesh

Amet Fort is an ancient fort located in Amet Village in Karahal Taluk in Sheopur District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. This fort is now almost engulfed in shrubs. This fort is believed to be built by Chandravanshi Raja Bal Bahadur Singh in 17^th century CE. This fort is situated inside the Kuno National Park.

Connectivity

The fort is located at about 17 Kms from Karahal, 17 Kms from Karahal Bus Stand, 22 Kms from Sesaipura, 58 Kms from Sheopur, 79 Kms from Shivpuri Railway Station, 83 Kms from Shivpuri and 183 Kms from Gwalior Airport. The fort is situated at about 17 Kms to the north east of Karahal on the Sheopur to Shivpuri route.

Location

Singorgarh Fort, Singrampur, Madhya Pradesh

Singorgarh Fort, Singrampur, Madhya Pradesh

Singorgarh Fort is an ancient hill fort located in Singrampur village in Jabera Taluk in Damoh District in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is known as one of the most magnificent forts of Gonds. It is situated inside the dense forests of Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. It is presently under the control of Archeological Survey of India.

History

The fort was built by the Pratihara Rajputs, who ruled in the Damoh region during the 14^th century CE. The earliest inscription found in Singorgarh is dated to 1307 CE. The inscription records the name of the fort as Gaja-Singhadurggye, meaning the hill fortress of Gaja Singh. Gajsimha or Gaja Singh Pratihar was a Pratihar Rajput ruler after whom the fort is believed to be named. The Pratihara rule over Singorgarh probably ended with the invasion of the Delhi Sultan Ala-ud-din Khalji's forces, who were going to the Deccan and conquered Bundelkhand on their march.

The fort was conquered by the Gond ruler of Garha-Katanga, Sangram Shah in the 16^th century CE. The fort was strengthened by the Gonds of Garha Kingdom. The fort was attacked in the June of 1564 during the invasion of the Garha Kingdom by the Mughal forces. During the invasion, Rani Durgavati, the ruling Queen of Gondwana, resided in Singorgarh and later moved to Chouragarh Fort in Narsinghpur due to the threat she faced during the invasion.

The Fort

This fort is situated on a hill in the dense forests of the Satpura range. The fort is in a ruined state. The fort spread over a vast area and many of its watch towers are still intact. The ruins of Rani Mahal, Hathi Darwaza and a huge bathing tank can be seen in the fort. There are many secret passages in this fort designed to confuse invaders and to provide safe passage for the king and queen.

It is said that there are tunnels deep inside the dungeons known only to Rani Durgavati and a handful of her army. One tunnel discovered by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is said to lead to the hill fort of Madan Mahal. Singorgarh lake is situated close to the Hathi Darwaza. As per local folklore, there is a well inside this reservoir where the treasure of Rani Durgavati along with the Paras Pathar (Philosopher’s Stone) has been hidden.  

Connectivity

The fort is located at about 7 Kms from Singrampur, 19 Kms from Jabera, 44 Kms from Sihora, 46 Kms from Sihora Road Railway Station, 57 Kms from Jabalpur, 59 Kms from Damoh, 62 Kms from Jabalpur Railway Station and 75 Kms from Jabalpur Airport. The fort is situated at about 7 Kms to the west of Singrampur on the Damoh to Jabalpur route.

Location