| Kamalgad Fort | |
|---|---|
कमळगड | |
| Part of Sahyadri Hill Range | |
| Satara district, Maharashtra | |
 Kamalgad fort | |
  Kamalgad Fort | |
| Coordinates | 17°58′02.2″N73°44′42.7″E / 17.967278°N 73.745194°E |
| Type | Hill fort |
| Height | 4200 Ft. |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Government of Maharashtra |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Stone |
Kamalgad (literally lotus fort), also called Bhelanja [1] or Kattalgad (literally death fort) is a square hill fort in Wai Taluka in Maharashtra, India.
It is ten miles (16 km) west of Wai and 32 km from Satara. Its coordinates are 18° 05' N, 74° 00' E. It has an elevation of 4,511 feet (1,375 m) above sea level. [2] [3]
The builder of the fort is unknown. [3] During Maratha times, Kamalgad, Pandavgad and other forts in the area were administered by a mokasaddar (manager) from Bijapur. [4] Early documents written in now defunct Modi script of the Marathi language refer to the fort as 'Kattalgad'. [5] A detailed study of these documents is underway. In April 1818, Kamalgad surrendered after resistance to a British detachment commanded by a Major Thatcher. [2] Under the British, it was used to execute prisoners of war. [5]
The fort covers a flat area, 3-4 acres in size. It is surrounded by steep rock and can only be reached by perilously scaling this rock. Earlier, the approach was by an artificial tunnel, which started at the base of the rock and emerged on the top. Now this tunnel is blocked by a big rock which fell into it and was never removed. [4] There are no buildings on the top nor walls of any kind or even a gateway, which is unusual for a fort in this area. Likely, its height and steep rock around it provided it with enough protection.
The only structure on the top is a hole which is the remains of a well sunk right through the rock, into the soil below which still has water. The hole is eighteen to twenty feet deep. The sides of the well which were formed of the natural rock were reported to have contained recesses in which criminals were placed. They had to choose between starvation and drowning. [2] [4] However, none of the recesses can be discerned today. Some reports indicate that this 'hole' might have been a quarry for red stone (geru) which is plentiful in this region [1] (see picture).
The nearest town is Bhor or Wai which is easily reachable from Pune. The base village of the fort is Tupewadi which is 30 km from Wai and 46 km from Bhor.There are good hotels at Bhor and Wai for stay and food. The trekking path starts from the hillock south of the Tupewadi. The route is very safe. It takes about 2 hours to reach the machi.The route is well covered with trees. The hill route ends upon an open land called Kamal machi.On the machi there is dense forest of Jambhul and Pisa trees. After reaching the machi the path takes a left turn to reach the lone villager's hut. The lone villager on the machi can make arrangements for night stay and food at very reasonable cost. The balekilla can be reached from Machi within 20mins.Balekilla is a scarp rising 30-40feet above the forest covered area.
Mangalgad, also known as Kangori, is a fort in Maharashtra near the village of Dudhanewadi. Kangori, or Mangalgad Fort, is in the Mahad sub-division about eleven miles (18 km) east by south from Mahad town.
Rajmachi Fort (Killa) is one of the many historical forts in the rugged hills of Sahyadri mountains. It consists of two twin fortresses Shriwardhan and Manaranjan, with a wide machi (plateau) surrounding the two Balekillas. Udhewadi is a small village of about 60 households situated on the machi, at the southern foot of Manaranjan Balekilla of Rajmachi Fort.
Rohida fort / Vichitragad Fort is a fort located 10 km from Bhor, Pune district, of Maharashtra. This fort is an important fort in Pune district. The fort restoration is done by the Shree Shivdurga Samvardhan committee with the help of forest dept. and local villagers.
Pandavgad Fort), 4177 feet above sea level, lies four miles north-west of Wai. The fort is conspicuous over a low spur branching east from its southern angle. From a distance it appears a square fortification with natural escarpment of cut black stone. The fort can be reached by a footpath diverting to the north from Bhoganv, a village 3 miles west of Wai on Wai -Velang State Transport route. In Bhoganv village, there is a small memorial of Vaman Pandit, the celebrated Sanskrit poet of the 15th century. The approach to the fort is very difficult and at places the path is barely a foot in width with the hill slopes on one side and deep valleys on the other. Hill though not covered with thick forest has a considerable foliage of bushy shrubs. A path from Bhogaon leads to small break in the above-mentioned spur and from this break it continues by a shoulder of the hill, on which are few huts belonging to Kolis formerly connected with the fort and charged with attendance on the temple. The ascend from the Koli hills is steepish and for the last two hundred yards had steps cut in stone. At the northern end the path reaches the entrance gate which now consists of two broken pillars of enormous size. It had a single archway with apparently no door. The fort is about six acres in extent and nearly a square. Its defences consist of a scarp generally from forty to sixty feet high, more than usually precipitous and in many places actually overhanging and surmounted by a wall with masonry ramparts. The original materials of enormous blocks of dry stone have nearly all disappeared and except the northern end where the gateway and wall are of the huge masonry of the old forts what remains is very light work. Of the 18 ponds which supplied the garrison with water, only three possess water. On the top a large pond on the eastern part is silted up. To the north of the main gate, some 150 feet down the shoulder of the hill is a group of small ill maintained rock cut water cisterns. All the buildings on the fort excepting that of the temple of Pandjaidevi are in a state of complete ruin. The temple is built in local stone masonry and is not in any way imposing. A hall in front of the shrine of devi measures about 30'X20' and has a flat roof supported on four pillars. Number of ancient buildings on the fort have been reduced to a mere heap of bricks. In the centre, remains of the main building are hidden by a thick growth of bushy shrubs. The fort commands an excellent view of the surrounding area. To the east one gets a bird's eye view of Wai, and Mandhardev stands conspicuously about 4 miles to the north-west. To the west Kenjalgad marks a prominent object at a distance of about 5 miles.
Kenjalgad Fort in Wai, Maharashtra is a fort eleven miles (18 km) north-west of Wai. It is located on the Mandhardev spur of the Mahadev hill range. The fort is visible from quite a long distance as a stone scarp 30–40 feet high rising as a cap on the irregular hill. The fort is rhomboid in shape with 388m long axis and 175m short axis.
Ghangad is a fort situated near 30km from Lonavla-Khandala and 100 km from Pune in Maharashtra state, India.This fort is an important fort in the Pune district. The fort restoration is done by the Shivaji Trail group with the help of local villagers. The fort is at least 300 years old. Restoration work took place in 2011-12.
Ghosalegad Fort is located 8 km south of the Roha town on Roha-Bhalgaon-Murud road. This fort is in form of a narrow strip 20mt in width. This fort has a small hill with a narrow spur guarded by fortification. This fort served to keep watch on the enemy and the trade route from Maval to the sea ports around
Harihar fort / Harshagad is a fort located 40 km from Nashik City, 48 km from Igatpuri, 40 km from Ghoti in Nashik district, of Maharashtra, India. It is an important fort in Nashik district, and was constructed to look upon the trade route through Gonda Ghat. It receives many visitors because of its peculiar rock-cut steps.
Vikatgad / Peb Fort is a fort located 19 km (12 mi) from Karjat, in Raigad district, of Maharashtra. This fort is in continuation with the Malang gad, Tauli Hill and Chanderi fort of the Matheran Hill Range. Vikatgad is a favourite destination for one-day trekkers. The trek path to Vikatgad is along deep ravines and cliffs. Its closeness to Matheran and Neral attracts many trekkers on weekends. The forest department and local villagers are doing plantation and some restoration works on the fort.
Rajdeher Fort (Marathi: राजधेर किल्ला) is a fort located 10 km (6.2 mi) from chandwad, Nashik district, of Maharashtra. This fort is an important fort in Nashik district.
Asheri Fort / Asheri is a fort located 102 km from Mumbai and 88 km from Thane. It is in Palghar district, of Maharashtra. This fort is an important fort in Palghar district. The fort is located on the hills near Mendhavan Khind on Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway. The base village Khodkona is a very small tribal village. The Fort restoration is done by the local villagers.
Gorakhgad Fort is a fort located 24 km from Murbad, Thane district, of Maharashtra. This fort is an important fort in Thane district. This fort was mainly used by sadhus or hermits for meditation.and also by local people's of surrounding village, It was also used to guard the ancient trade route passing through Naneghat.
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Gopalgad Fort / Anjanvel Fort is a fort located 51 km (32 mi) from Chiplun, in Ratnagiri district, of Maharashtra. This fort is an important fort in Ratnagiri district. The Fort is located on a prominent and commanding point for guarding the trade route along the Vashishti River, which runs till Govindgad near Chiplun and the Dabhol port which was a busy route in medieval times. It is a fort located on a hill near the sea.
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Coordinates: 17°58′02.2″N73°44′42.7″E / 17.967278°N 73.745194°E
