Kanhergad Fort – Historical Information
Location:
Kanhergad Fort is located in the Gautala Autram Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary, on the border of Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) district and Jalgaon district of Maharashtra. The fort lies in the Satmala–Ajintha mountain range, which is part of the Sahyadri ranges.
Height:
The fort is situated at an altitude of 660 meters above sea level.
• The climb to Kanhergad Fort is slightly difficult and requires trekking on foot. The initial phase of the climb is comparatively challenging. However, due to the stone steps constructed under the initiative of Sahyadri Pratishthan, Chalisgaon, the route has now become much easier.
How to Reach Kanhergad Fort:
• From Mumbai–Nashik road, travel via Bhusawal to Manmad, then reach Chalisgaon. From there, by bus or private vehicle, reach Patnadevi Wildlife Sanctuary, and from there one can proceed to Kanhergad Fort.
• From Nashik, travel via Vani–Dindori route to Kalwan. From Kalwan, reach Kanheriwadi village, and from there proceed on foot via a trekking path to Kanhergad Fort.
Places to See on and Around Kanhergad Fort:
• Routes coming from Kanheriwadi and Patnadevi area (from Chalisgaon side) merge at a single mountain pass (khind). From this point, the path leads directly to Kanhergad Fort.
While proceeding further on the route towards Patnadevi Wildlife Sanctuary, an ancient temple is encountered amidst the forest. This is an ancient Shiva temple, belonging to the Yadava period.
The temple is built in the Hemadpanti architectural style and is east-facing. It stands on a six-foot-high platform. The temple measures approximately 75 feet in length, 18 feet in height, and 36 feet in width.
A grand assembly hall (Sabhamandap) is located in front of the temple, with Nandi seated prominently. Inside the sanctum (garbhagriha), a beautifully sculpted Shiva Linga is seen. Finely carved pillars are visible throughout the structure. Several sculptures can also be seen on the outer walls of the temple. The elegant carvings and artistic design clearly reflect the sculpture style of that era.
Samadhi (Memorial):
While moving from the temple towards the fort, the route becomes easier due to the direction boards installed by Sahyadri Pratishthan, Chalisgaon. Along this path, a Samadhi is encountered, over which a chhatri (canopy) has been constructed.
A little ahead of the Samadhi Chhatri, a high rocky hill is seen. After climbing this rocky hill and walking a short distance, a rock-cut cave can be observed. Inside this cave, beautifully carved Jain caves (Jain Lenis) with fine artistic work are seen. These caves are also known as Nagarjun Caves.
At the entrance, there are two pillars, followed by the cave doorway. Information about Jain Tirthankaras is inscribed on the doorframe. Upon entering the cave, a magnificent sculpture of Lord Mahavir in a meditative posture is seen at the front. Surrounding this, several caves of other Tirthankaras can be observed. Caves depicting female attendants and Gandharvas are also carved here.
On one side, leaning against the left wall, a standing idol of Lord Gomateshwar can also be seen.
• Water Tanks:
Nearby, water tanks carved into the black hard rock (Katyal) can be seen in the hillside. The water stored in these tanks remains pleasantly cool even during peak summer.
• Sita Nhani:
After visiting the Jain caves, if one walks along a footpath towards one side of the hill, more rooms carved into the katyal rock can be seen. This place is known as Sita Nhani. These are a type of rock-cut chambers, and their structure is such that staying here is possible.
• Shrungarik Brahmin Hindu Caves:
After seeing the Sita caves and moving down from the fort, while going around the hill on one side of the fort towards the valley between two hills, a water tank carved into the rock is encountered. Due to neglect over time, the water in it appears unclean.
Proceeding further and climbing up a footpath near the valley between the two hills, an English “L”-shaped veranda can be seen. Beautiful pillars are visible on the outer side, with fine carvings on them. There are a total of four such pillars. A beautiful assembly hall can also be seen. The entrance to the caves is adorned with elegant carvings. These Brahmin caves appear to have been carved in the 11th century AD.
At present, no idols exist inside. As this area lies on the side opposite to the fort, there is very little movement of tourists and trekkers here.
• Katyal Step Route:
After visiting the Jain caves, walking ahead along the signposted path beside them leads to a katyal rock-cut step route with railings. One has to climb up through this route. Climbing this nearly twenty-foot high katyal rock face is difficult, but due to the railings and steps carved by Sahyadri Pratishthan, the route has become somewhat easier.
This route leads to the upper parts above the Sita caves and the Jain caves.
• Nidhe:
After climbing up the katyal route, a naturally formed Nidhe can be seen at the top. This spot is extremely scenic. Sitting here and taking rest, one can enjoy the distant mountain ranges and the beautiful lush green landscape of the valley.
• Katyal Caves:
After seeing Nidhe, moving ahead and descending slightly into the adjacent valley, two to three katyal caves are encountered. These caves can be used for staying.
• Katyal Step Route:
After seeing Nidhe, one can proceed further via the step route to reach the fort. This route brings one to the lower machi of the fort.
• On the way, a ruined gateway can be seen.
• The fort top is quite extensive. Though the hill appears small from below, it is very vast at the top.
• Remains of Wadas and Buildings:
On the upper part of the fort, remains of wadas and buildings can be seen. These were constructed for the residence of the fort commander and the soldiers (shibandi).
• Water Tanks:
Several water tanks are visible on the upper part of the fort. Due to these tanks located at various places, the water needs of the fort garrison were fulfilled during the medieval period.
• Pond:
A small pond can also be seen on the upper part of the fort. It is a small reservoir and is located on the left side of the fort.
• Water Tank:
Further ahead, another water tank can be seen.
• Shivling:
Immediately after seeing the water tank, a Shivling can be seen at the same place.
• Stone Cap-like Summit:
On the upper part of the fort, a stone rock formation resembling a cap can be seen.
• Fortifications:
Due to the passage of time, the fort has fallen into considerable disrepair, and the fortifications are now largely in a ruined condition.
• Northern Bastion:
On the northern side of the fort, a bastion can be seen. A flag staff (nishan kathi) is visible at this place.
Kanhergad Fort Information (English – Same to Same Translation)
• Gorge (Khach):
The fort extends in the east–west direction. On one side of the fort, there is a gorge similar to that of Dhodap Fort. At this place, a rope is fixed to descend into the gorge. With the help of this rope, after descending and moving ahead, one can see a beautiful Tasiv cliff. This cliff appears to be man-made.
• Holes on the summit of the fort:
On the summit of the fort, holes carved into the black basalt rock can be seen. These appear to have been made for providing temporary shelter.
• Fort gate:
After reaching the upper part of the hill, while taking a circumambulation of the citadel, keeping the citadel on the right side and the valley on the left, and walking ahead, one comes across a gate on the rear side of the citadel. This gate, with its arched structure and curved turn, enhances the beauty of the fort. Observing the structure of its bastions, its strength becomes evident. On the inner side of the gate, small chambers (devadi) have been constructed for guards. The curved passage of this gate and the well-preserved bastion on the side make the effort of walking up to this point worthwhile. However, from this route, there is no easy path to reach the upper part of the fort.
• Hanuman Temple:
After climbing up the cliff near the bastions of the fort, one can see a beautiful idol of Lord Hanuman painted in vermilion color.
By this route, it is difficult to reach the citadel of the fort. Instead, by climbing the stepped path from the lower route, one can reach the upper part of the fort. This basalt path, with a cliff on one side and a deep valley on the other, is worth seeing.
Historical Information of Kanhergad Fort:
• It is believed that Kanhergad Fort was constructed in the 8th century AD. The fort is thought to have been built during the rule of the Yadava dynasty.
• In the biography of Janardan Swami, it is mentioned that in AD 1228 (Shaka 1150), on the occasion of a solar eclipse on the day of Ashadha Amavasya, the Patnadevi temple was opened to all people.
• There is not much information available about when the fort became part of Swarajya. However, while returning after the second sack of Surat, the Marathas clashed with the Mughals in this region and defeated them in a pitched battle, thereby demonstrating their strength.
• The Maratha fort commander at this place was Ramji Pangera. As Ramji participated in many campaigns of Swarajya, he attained martyrdom while defending the fort.
• In AD 1671, the fort was besieged by Mughal commanders Diler Khan and Bahadur Khan. The Marathas harassed them using guerrilla warfare tactics.
• At the foothills of Kanhergad, under the leadership of Ramji Pangera, a fierce battle took place with the Mughals in the early morning hours. About 400 Mavlas participated in this battle. After seven years, Diler Khan once again witnessed a Maratha warrior fighting like Murarbaji Deshpande. In this battle, the Marathas killed 1,200 Mughals.
• This event is mentioned by the bakharkars as:
“It thundered like the horns of a she-buffalo.”
• Diler Khan offered Ramji the temptations of a sardari (chieftainship) and jagir, but without falling for them, Ramji and his fellow Mavlas accepted martyrdom.
• At that time, there were only 800 Mavlas on the fort. Eventually, the fort came under Mughal control. The fort commander and 400 Mavlas from the garrison killed 1,200 Mughals, but due to the very large Mughal army, they had to retreat.
• In AD 1752, the Marathas once again captured this fort.
• Emperor Aurangzeb advanced towards Swarajya through this very region, but later met his downfall in the Maratha territory itself.
• Subsequently, this fort remained under the control of the Peshwas during the Peshwa period.
• In AD 1789–90, the Koli people residing on this fort revolted, but the rebellion was suppressed.
• In AD 1818, after the fall of the Peshwa rule, this fort came under British control.
• The great mathematician Bhaskaracharya lived in this region. He was an eminent scholar who discovered zero.
Thus, this is the historical information of Kanhergad Fort.
