Chandrapur Fort

Chandrapur Fort
Chandrapur district, Maharashtra
Chandrapur Fort Show map of Maharashtra Chandrapur Fort Show map of India
Coordinates	19°57′00″N79°17′49″E / 19.950°N 79.297°E / 19.950; 79.297 Coordinates: 19°57′00″N79°17′49″E / 19.950°N 79.297°E / 19.950; 79.297
Type	Land fort
Site information
Owner	Government of India
Controlled by	Gond Kingdom (1400s-1739)   Maratha (1739-1818)   United Kingdom East India Company (1818-1857) British Raj (1857-1947)
Open to the public	Yes
Condition	Ruins
Site history
Materials	Stone

Chandrapur Fort (earlier called Chanda Fort) is an ancient fort in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. The fort is located in the Chandrapur city, on the confluence of Erai and Zarpat rivers. The Chandrapur city was confined within fort walls till 1960s-70s, after which the city expanded beyond the fort walls. Today the fort area is called old Chandrapur city.

History

The Gond people are part of the Adivasi (indigenous people) of India. In ancient times, the Gond diaspora spread throughout central India. After the passage of many kings, who were largely subservient to other rulers, the Gond king, Khandkya Ballal (1470 – 1495) came to the throne. He founded Chandrapur. ^[1]

As per legends, Khandkya, who resided in Sirpur, was covered in tumours. His wise and beautiful wife nursed him. She asked him to leave Sirpur and move to the north bank of the Wardha River. There, the king built a fort he named "Ballalpur" for himself, and thus founded the city of Ballarpur. One day, while hunting northwest of Ballalpur, the king became thirsty and rode up to the dry bed of the Jharpat river in search of water. He discovered water trickling from a hole, and after drinking, washed his face, hands and feet. That night he slept soundly for the first time in his life.

On his return, the queen was delighted to see that many of the tumours on her husband's body had disappeared. The king said it was the water that had cured him and took his wife to see the water hole. On clearing the grass and sand, they found five footprints of a cow in the solid rock, each filled with water. The water source at the spot was inexhaustible and considered holy. The place was called "Tirtha of Ancalesvar of the Treta Yuga". When the king bathed in the water, all the tumours on his body vanished. That night at the water hole, Ancalesvar appeared to the king in a dream and spoke comforting words. A temple was built over the water hole.

One morning, at the water hole, the king saw a hare darting out of a bush and chasing his dog. Eventually, the dog killed the hare. The king found a white spot on the forehead of the hare. The queen said it was a good omen and a fortified city should he built with its layout based on the chase of the dog and hare. She said the place where the hare was killed would be unlucky for the city. The king's officers, the "Tel Thakurs" built the fortified city. The city became Chandrapur.

Gond rule was lost in 1751 to the Maratha period. The last ruler of the Maratha dynasty, Raghuji Bhonsle III died in 1853 without issue. In 1853, Chandrapur was annexed to British India. During the British colonial period, the area of Chandrapur was called "Chanda".

Features

The fort is located in the Chandrapur city, on the confluence of Erai and Zarpat rivers. The fort has four gates: Jatpura Gate to the north, Anchaleshwar Gate to the east, Pathanpura Gate to the south and Binba Gate to the west. The fort also has four small gates, called khidkis (windows): Bagad Khidki to the northeast, Hanuman Khidki to the southeast, Vithoba Khidki to the southwest and Chor Khidki to the northwest. The fort has strong walls 15–20 feet high at most places. ^[2] Restoration has been planned for the fort.

Gates and Windows of Chandrapur Fort

• 
  Jatpura gate of Chandrapur Fort
• 
  Anchaleshwar gate of Chandrapur Fort
• 
  Pathanpura gate of Chandrapur Fort

Anchaleshwar Mandir

Anchaleshwar Mandir

The Anchaleshwar Mandir (temple) celebrates a form of the Lord Siva. It is situated adjoining Anchaleshwar Gate of Chandrapur fort on the banks of the Zarpat river, inside of fort. The official samadhi (mausoleum) of the Gond kings is located within the temple complex.

Mahakali Mandir

Mahakali Mandir

Mahakali Mandir is an often frequented temple in Chandrapur. Its situated a hundred metres off the Anchaleshwar gate outside of the fort. The ancient temple was built by Dhundya Ram Sah, of Gond Dynasty around the 16th century. Tuesdays are a particularly significant day to visit. Within the mandir there is a small Ganesh temple and a Hanuman temple. At the two temple entrances, there are small shops for puja (worship) supplies such as coconut, flowers and cloth. Items for home décor and puja décor are sold near the temple. Near the rear entrance there is a Shani temple.

Within the mandir are two murtis (idols). One associated with Shiv Ling is a standing idol decorated with red, yellow and orange cloths. The other is in a reclining position below the ground level, and devotees must walk in a tunnel to reach it. Inside the temple, a priest is present to assist visitors with puja and offerings. A trust administers the temple. Dharmashalas provide accommodation for pilgrims. The annual yatra (fair) takes place in April, entertaining the followers of Mahakali and the citizens of Chandrapur.

Ramala Lake

Ramala tank was built by Gond King Khandkya Ballal Sah at the time of laying the foundations of the town wall. It runs along the north-east section of the wall, outside of fort and was renovated and repaired with fine stone-ghats by Gond King Ram Sah who named the lake after himself.

References

1. "Kingdoms of South Asia". The History Files. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
2. Government of Maharashtra. "Places of Interest". www.chanda.nic.in. Government of Maharashtra. Retrieved 12 December 2019.