Madangad Fort
Madangad Fort Information in English
Maharastr kille
📍 Location:
In the Nashik district of Maharashtra, on the western side of the Kalsubai peak in the northern Sahyadri mountain range, the forts Alang, Madangad, and Kulang can be seen.
Among these, Madangad is one of the forts.
🏔️ Height:
The height of this fort is
4900 feet / 1493.52 meters above sea level.
🚶♂️ Transportation Routes to Reach the Fort:
Ambewadi village is located at the foothill near Madangad Fort.
Ambewadi village is 55 kilometers away from Nashik city.
The fort can be reached by trekking on foot via the Nashik – Igatpuri – Ambewadi route.
Ambewadi is 182 kilometers away from Pune.
It is 140 kilometers away from Mumbai.
It is approximately 300 kilometers away from Surat city in the state of Gujarat.
Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Surat are major cities of India and are connected to other parts of the state as well as international regions by road and air routes. A network of roads and railways is seen in these areas.
The best way to reach Ambewadi is by road transport.
Fort
🏞️ Places to See on Madangad Fort:
Via Nashik and Igatpuri, one can reach the foothill area of the fort through Ambewadi village.
After reaching this place, with the help of Google Maps, one can proceed through the forest route to reach the fort area.
🌿 Difficult Forest Trek:
The area around the fort consists of a forested plateau region.
Through sparse forest areas, one can walk towards the fort by following narrow trails and climbing uneven terrain.
On the way, due to rainwater erosion, one passes through rock-cut gullies and reaches the saddle (col) area.
While trekking, a water stream is encountered along the route.
💧 Water Stream:
After walking through the forest path, a stream flowing down from the upper forest region can be seen.
During the monsoon season, this stream contains plenty of water, while in summer the water sources begin to dry up.
The essential water requirements of all wild animals, birds, and plants in this region are fulfilled from this stream.
• Khind Katyāl Rock Sculpture:
After passing through dense forests and crossing several high ridges, we reach the tall katyāl cliffs of the fort. From there, walking on foot, we arrive at the foothills of the fort where katyāl rock sculptures are seen. This spot indicates the routes leading to the forts. The forts visible here are Alang Fort, Madangad Fort, and Kulang Fort. The path to the right of the katyāl rock sculpture leads towards Madangad Fort. From this route, we proceed onto the ascent path of the fort, which consists of katyāl stone formations.
India fort, madangd
• Difficult Katyāl Ascent and Rock-Cut Step Route:
From this point onward, the trek becomes extremely challenging. After climbing a short distance, we encounter a katyāl rock-cut step route. These steps are carved at various places into the rock face. The design of these steps allows rainwater to drain away easily without stagnation. Using this route, one can climb up to the fort.
• Narrow Stepped Rocky Path:
While ascending the fort, as it is part of a tri-fort complex, one has to climb via a very narrow rocky path coming from the adjoining hill. This ascent causes considerable physical exertion. At some places ahead, the path appears damaged due to landslides. At such locations, wires and ropes have been installed for support and rolling safety. On one side there is a deep valley, and on the other side stands a steep black rocky cliff. For those who are accustomed to trekking and rock climbing and are not afraid of heights, the Madangad trek is considered a “Pandhari” (ultimate pilgrimage). Only one person can climb this narrow path at a time. Further up, ropes have been fixed to help climb to the upper section. As we continue ascending, we get breathtaking views of Kulang Fort, Alang Fort, Kalsubai Peak, and other peaks of the Sahyadri range, along with Bhatghar Dam and surrounding catchment areas.
• Gateway:
The gateways of the fort are in a ruined condition. Their remains can be seen scattered around. At present, not a single intact gate exists on the fort.
• Fadtāl Water Tank:
To support the construction of the fort’s gateways and other structures, a small water tank has been carved inside the rock along the stepped path by cutting the stone. During the monsoon season, water accumulates in this tank. It appears to have been constructed to ensure water supply for the people residing on the fort. It may have been carved specifically for the guards stationed in the guard chambers.
• Extended Plateau (Fort Top):
At the top of the fort, there is a small yet extended plateau with a gentle slope. This area was used for surveillance purposes. In ancient and medieval times, this vantage point was used to monitor nearby trade routes and other movements across the region.
• Water Cisterns:
India fort
Considering the slope of the fort top, stone was excavated along the path to create interconnected water cisterns on the fort plateau. During the rainy season, these cisterns were filled with rainwater. This stored water was then used throughout the year for drinking and other daily requirements.
• Katyāl Rock-Cut Cave Chamber:
Madangad, maharastra kille,
In the higher part of the fort, instead of transporting construction material from below, a chamber has been carved directly into the local rock. Using fine chisels and hammers, stone was carefully removed to create a residential cave chamber for the fort garrison. At present, trekkers and climbers visiting the fort stay in this cave.
• Construction Remains:
On the upper part of the fort, remains of ground-level construction bases can be seen. Scattered stones lie nearby. It appears that some structures were built here for officers and soldiers responsible for administrative and military duties on the fort. Over time, due to neglect, these structures were destroyed, and today only their ruins remain.
• Purpose of the Fort:
At first glance, it is evident that this fort was developed to keep watch over trade routes and to prevent this location from being used to attack Kulang Fort and Alang Fort. The fort does not have extensive construction, which technically suggests that it was built mainly for surveillance by a limited number of soldiers.
• Surrounding Forts and Peaks Visible from the Top:
From the fort summit, to the north one can see Harihar, Trimbak, and Anjaneri; to the south, Harishchandragad, Ajobagad, Khattashikhar, and Konkankada; to the east, Kalsubai Peak and Alang Fort; and to the west, Kulang Fort is clearly visible.
During fort trekking, you need various essential items. You can explore and purchase them through the links below.
• Historical Information of Madangad Fort:
• It is believed that Madangad Fort was constructed during the Yadava dynasty. As Alang and Kulang form a twin-fort complex, Madangad was likely developed to ensure that enemies could not use this mountain to gain control over those forts. Local oral tradition also suggests that an outpost once existed here to monitor trade routes.
• Between the 9th and 11th centuries CE, this mountain came under the rule of the Yadava dynasty. Considering its geographical location, water tanks, cave chambers, gateways, and stepped access routes were developed here for surveillance and regional security.
• Later, the fort remained under the Sultanate Muslim शासन and subsequently under Maratha rule.
• For a certain period, as it fell within the Nashik region, the fort also witnessed Mughal rule.
• In 1760 CE, the fort, along with Kulang Fort, came under the control of the Peshwas, the prime ministers of the Maratha Swarajya.
• In 1818 CE, the British took control of the fort. Afterward, they damaged the stepped pathways and destroyed the gateway and other structures, so that the Marathas could not reunite and challenge British authority. These inspirational strongholds were deliberately ruined for this reason.
• After 1947 CE, the fort came under the control of the Government of independent India.
• At present, many trekkers undertake the combined trek of Alang, Madangad, and Kulang forts under the name A. M. K.
• Accommodation Facilities:
• Water sources in the fort area begin to dry up after February. Therefore, trekkers are advised to plan the trek between October and February.
• Treks are also conducted during the monsoon season, but extra caution is required as moss growth makes the rock surfaces slippery. Hence, October to February is considered the most suitable period.
• Taking an experienced local guide from the surrounding region is highly recommended.
• Food Arrangements:
• There are no food facilities available at this location.
• Staying overnight is possible, as cave shelters are available.
• Trekkers must make their own food arrangements.
• Water scarcity is felt after February.
• Water from the kunds (tanks) here is suitable for drinking, but it is advisable to purify it using a small filter.
Thus, this is the complete information about Madangad Fort.
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