Ramshej Fort Information (रामशेज किल्ला माहिती – in English)
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| Ramshej |
Location:
Ramshej Fort is a hill fort located about 15 kilometers north of Nashik city, in the state of Maharashtra.
This fort, sanctified by the stay of Lord Rama during his exile (Vanavas), is known as Ramshej — meaning “Ram’s resting place” (Shej = bed or rest).
🌄 Height of Ramshej Fort:
The fort stands at an elevation of 3,200 feet above sea level. It is one of the forts in the Sahyadri Mountain Range.
🚗 How to Reach Ramshej Fort:
Route: Mumbai – Nashik – Peth Road – from Ashewadi village one can trek up to the fort.
The fort is 10 miles from Vani Dindori in Nashik district.
From Pune or Mumbai, one can travel to Nashik and then proceed to Ramshej.
Distance:
Pune – Nashik – Ramshej: 230 km
Mumbai – Nashik – Ramshej: 180 km
Panchavati – Ramshej: 10 km
🛕 Places to See on Ramshej Fort:
From Ashewadi village on Nashik-Peth road, a grand stone arch welcomes you. Vehicles can be parked at the base village, from where the trek to the fort begins.
🪜 Trek Route:
The fort can be reached within 45 minutes via a well-defined stair path or the rocky slope trail.
🌿 Ramshej Cave and Temple:
While ascending, a cave temple dedicated to Lord Rama can be seen.
It is believed that Lord Rama used this cave for rest during his exile. A temple has been built at this spot. The serene and peaceful environment adds spiritual calmness.
Inside the sanctum, idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman are beautifully carved.
There are also idols of Lord Dattatreya and Goddess Durga.
An inscription found nearby indicates that the temple construction took place during the time of Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao.
💧 Water Cisterns (Tanks):
Next to the temple, there is a rock-cut underground water cistern, which provides pure water throughout the year — used for both drinking and construction purposes.
🚪 Main Entrance Gate:
In front of the temple once stood the main entrance gate, now in ruins. This was the main entry point to the fort.
⛏️ Quarry Remains and Watch Chambers:
Inside the gate, to the west, there is a half-finished rock-cut chamber with small niches that may have been used for storing grain or weapons.
These stone quarries provided the building material for the fort walls and bastions.
⚙️ Lime Grinding Pit:
A circular stone pit used for lime preparation (for construction mortar) can still be seen on the fort.
🧱 New Gateway:
Nearby, there is an unfinished new gateway carved into the rock, showcasing advanced stone-cutting work.
This narrow passage faces north, and due to the Mughal invasion at the time, the construction was left incomplete.
🪶 Plateau Area:
Beyond the main gate lies a wide plateau, surrounded by steep cliffs — offering a spectacular panoramic view of the region.
🧱 Fortification Walls:
Many stones for the fort walls were quarried from the top of the fort itself.
Today, most of the fortifications have collapsed, but remnants still remain visible.
💧 Water Reservoirs:
Several rock-cut water tanks were formed in the excavated areas.
These reservoirs supplied water for daily use and construction — a smart example of ancient engineering.
🕳️ Secret Escape Door (Chor Darwaza):
On the northwest side of the fort lies a hidden underground passage, used during emergencies for escape, delivering supplies, or sending secret messages.
From outside, it’s nearly impossible to spot this door — a sign of excellent fort planning.
🕉️ Bhavani Mata Temple:
On the plateau at the top stands a small temple of Goddess Bhavani, with a trident (Trishul) outside and the idol of the goddess inside.
🛡️ Double Fortification:
At one point, you can see double-layered walls, providing extra defense strength.
🏯 Bastions:
Several bastions once guarded the fort from all directions, but many have now collapsed due to time and neglect.
👮♂️ Guard Posts and Residences:
Ruins of watch posts, barracks, and the fort commander’s mansion can be seen.
These were the quarters for the fort soldiers and officers.
🏴 Flag Post:
On the southwest side, near the cliff, a flag post still stands tall — symbolizing the pride of Hindavi Swarajya.
🔱 Shiva Cave Temple:
A natural cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is found here.
During monsoon, a stream of water falls directly from the cave roof onto the Shivalinga, a fascinating natural phenomenon.
🌄 Scenic View:
From the top of the fort, you can see the Satmala range, Trimbak hills, Bhor fort, Rohida fort, and the surrounding mountains.
🕰️ Historical Significance of Ramshej Fort:
Lord Rama resided here during his exile in the Treta Yuga.
The exact builder of this fort is unknown, but it was ruled by Satavahana, Vakataka, Chalukya, and Yadava dynasties in ancient times.
During the Bahmani and Nizamshahi periods, it was under Muslim control.
Later, it was incorporated into Shivaji Maharaj’s Swarajya (Maratha Empire).
⚔️ Siege of Ramshej Fort (1682–1688):
After the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb invaded the Deccan in 1682 with the ambition to destroy the Maratha Empire.
He sent Shahabuddin Khan with 40,000 troops to capture Ramshej Fort — defended by only 600 Maratha soldiers.
Despite being outnumbered, the Marathas used guerrilla warfare tactics effectively — pelting stones, launching surprise night attacks, and setting fire to Mughal camps.
Even after repeated cannon attacks, the fort stood firm.
Aurangzeb then sent Fateh Khan with 20,000 soldiers. He tried magic rituals and siege engines, but the Marathas rebuilt the bastions overnight, leaving the Mughals stunned.
Fateh Khan’s every attempt failed, and he retreated in frustration.
Later, Kasim Khan surrounded the fort completely, cutting off all supplies.
Maratha generals Rupaji Bhosale and Manaji More risked their lives during a heavy rainstorm to deliver food and ammunition to the fort.
Reinforced, the Marathas again repelled the Mughal assault.
🛡️ Heroic Defense:
Different historians name different fort commanders — some say Suryaji Jedhe, others Govind Gaikwad or Rambhaji Pawar.
Whoever he was, he defended the fort heroically for six continuous years.
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj honored the fort commander with a bejeweled bracelet, armor, and cash reward.
Eventually, due to starvation and exhaustion, a new commander surrendered the fort.
Aurangzeb repaired it, renamed it Rahimgarh, and stocked it with arms.
However, the Marathas later recaptured it with just 300 soldiers.
🇮🇳 Present Status:
The fort remained under Maratha control until the British period and later came under the Government of Independent India.
Thus, Ramshej Fort stands today as a proud symbol of Maratha valor, devotion, and architectural brilliance.
