Mangalgad (Kangori Fort) Information – In English
• Location :
Mangalgad, also known as Kangori Fort, is situated in the Sahyadri mountain range, in the Konkan region of Raigad district, a short distance from Mahad in Maharashtra.
• Height :
The fort stands at an elevation of 664 meters above sea level.
• Nearest Village :
The nearest village is Pimpalwadi.
• Difficulty :
The climb is of medium difficulty and is mostly covered through a narrow foot trail.
• Routes to reach the fort :
1) From Pune – Bhor – Varandha Ghat :
From Pune city, travel to Bhor, then proceed via Varandha Ghat to Konkan Plateau. From there, through forest and hilly pathways, one can reach Mangalgad.
2) From Mahad :
While going from Mahad towards Bhor, take the diversion at Bhirwadi–Pimpalwadi junction.
From Pimpalwadi, a short road section is available; further ahead, a foot trail leads to the fort.
Buses are available from Mahad to Pimpalwadi.
3) From Poladpur – Sadegaon – Wadhar route :
From Poladpur via Sadegaon and Wadhar village one can reach the fort.
4) From Poladpur – Dhawale route :
Mangalgad can also be reached from Poladpur via Dhawale.
The Pimpalwadi route is considered the easiest and most convenient.
• Places to see on Mangalgad :
From Pimpalwadi – Raw pathway and foot trail :
After leaving Pimpalwadi, a rough road stretches for a short distance.
Then, through a region of medium-dense vegetation and some open areas, one can climb to the fort through the foot trail.
This route offers an excellent trekking experience.
• Remains of Outposts :
On reaching the top, one can see the remains of several structures.
Due to the strategic location of the fort, various outposts were built around it for security.
These outposts were used to check visitors and to confront enemies at the first level.
Now only the platforms (foundations) of these outposts remain.
• Area below the Bastion :
After viewing the outpost remnants, the route directly leads to the bastion of the fort.
From here, the main ascent toward the fort begins.
• Ran Mandal Path :
To the left of the bastion, a very narrow foot trail leads to the fort entrance.
On one side is the bastion and fort wall, and on the other side a steep slope.
If enemies tried to attack from this side, stones were dropped on them from above.
Further ahead, remnants of an old stepped pathway can be seen.
Heavy rainfall and water-flow have damaged much of it.
• Fort Entrance :
Following the broken steps, one reaches the fort’s entrance gate.
The gate is mostly destroyed now, but remaining sections show how strong it must have been.
This was the Main Gate (Mahadarwaja).
Inside, there were guard chambers.
A second gate was also located nearby; its remains are visible too.
This sequential gate system was designed for enhanced security.
• Machi (Plateau) :
After passing the second gate, one reaches the machi (fort plateau).
• Bastion :
A bastion is seen near the machi.
As it is located at a high elevation, protective railings are not present because enemies could easily be targeted from here.
Walking ahead, a long structural extension of the fort appears.
Here, a small idol of Nagdevata and a few other sculptures are seen.
• Water Tanks :
A little ahead of the Nagdevata idol are two water tanks.
One tank remains dry and does not store water.
The water arrangements reflect how many soldiers might have been stationed here in ancient times.
A little further, on an elevated platform, an old temple is seen, which is now in a dilapidated condition.
Several idols found across the fort are kept here.
While climbing the temple steps, a beautifully carved Tulsi Vrindavan is seen on the left side.
Above, the temple’s roof is damaged, and many sculptures are placed outside.
Inside is the idol of Kangori Devi, after whom the fort is also known as Kangorigad.
In the sanctum (garbhagriha), a Shivalinga and an idol of Bhairavnath are present.
Earlier, regular worship and rituals were carried out here.
While circumambulating the temple, a small window is seen on the eastern wall.
On a particular day of the year, sun rays fall directly on the idol through this window.
• Bastion:
Behind the temple, another bastion can be seen. Since it is at a great height, parapets are not constructed. Because this place is extremely elevated.
• While proceeding towards this bastion and the section ahead, the fortification wall is seen. Some parts of this wall appear to be damaged.
• At certain places, latrines built within the fortification can also be seen. These were built for the soldiers staying on the fort.
• Bastion:
Further ahead, another bastion is seen. It has a flagpost. The saffron flag is proudly fluttering there.
• Large Water Tank:
While climbing towards the upper citadel, a large water tank is found. Steps are constructed for descending into it. The water inside appears mossy.
• Secret Door (Chor Darwaza):
Further ahead a secret door is seen, which is now getting destroyed with time. From here it was possible to descend into the valley. During emergencies, this secret passage was used for security purposes.
• Constructed Wall:
A little further, at the edge of the valley, a wall is seen. It must have been built for water storage. There is a filled embankment behind the wall, and on the other side there is a descending trench leading towards the deep valley. Earlier, water-supply systems were planned here.
• Carved Tank:
While going towards the citadel, a carved tank is found, in which water from the upper area collects and stores.
• Kund Tank:
In the section ahead of the fort, another tank with a reservoir (kund) is seen. For the construction work of the fort, stone quarries were made along the slopes, and the water-paths of these quarries formed such tanks.
• Ruins of Buildings and Wadas:
In the citadel area, ruins of foundations and buildings are seen. At one place a Shivalinga is also found. Probably there was a Shiva temple here which later got destroyed over time.
• Ruins of the Fort-keeper’s Residence:
From these ruins, the residences built for the fort-keeper and the soldiers can be identified. In some parts, stone-paving is visible.
• Warehouse Structure Ruins:
A little ahead, the ruins of a large room are seen. It is said to have been a storehouse, where grain or ammunition might have been stored.
• Bastion:
In front, another bastion is seen. There is a flagpost there. Standing at that point one can see Raigad, distant Rajgad, Torna Fort’s Budhla Machi, Lingana Fort, Mohangad on the opposite hill, and the vast Jawali valley far away.
From this fort, Pratapgad is also visible.
• This fort is at a very strategic location, from which a major part of Swarajya could be monitored. Among the chain forts, Mangalgad was an important one.
• Khamb Tank:
In the front area of the fort a Khamb Tank is seen. Its pillar is broken. It is deep and sunlight does not reach inside, so moss does not form and the water remains potable.
This tank has a lock-system, so its water can be drained out, the tank can be cleaned, and water can be stored again.
• Many such tanks can be seen on this fort.
• Over time, due to negligence, the structures have deteriorated. There is a need for conservation of this fort.
Historical Information about Mangalgad Fort
• Since Mangalgad is situated at a very strategic location, Raigad, Rajgad, Torna, Pratapgad, Mohangad, Lingana, Madhu-Makrandgad and the Jawali valley can be seen from it.
• From the Bhor region on the Ghat, while descending into Konkan via Varandha Ghat towards Mahad, this fort was reached through Aswalkhind. Surveillance on this route was carried out from Mangalgad. This route further leads into the creek area of the Savitri River, from where foreign trade was conducted.
• Mangalgad is one of the forts in the Jawali valley.
• It is believed that Mangalgad was constructed during the rule of the More (Mohre) family of Jawali.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj conquered Jawali from the Mores in 1645-46 and brought it under Swarajya. At that time, Kangorigad became part of Swarajya.
• This fort was earlier known as Kangorigad after the goddess Kangori.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj renamed this fort as Mangalgad.
• The commanders Gole–Gaikwad were appointed on this fort. They protected the fort from enemies for a long time.
• Between 1678 and 1703, this fort was used for keeping criminals of Swarajya.
• After the death of Sambhaji Maharaj, the Mughals besieged Raigad. At that time, Maharaj Rajaram escaped through the Waghdarwaza and first came to Mangalgad. From here he went to Pratapgad, fought the enemy again, then went to Panhala, and later to Jinji—the third capital of Swarajya—in present-day Tamil Nadu. Mangalgad was one of the chain forts of Swarajya.
• To prevent the Swarajya treasury from falling into Mughal hands, it was first brought to Mangalgad through the Waghdarwaza route, and then sent to Panhala.
• In 1817, Maratha commander Bapu Gokhale arrested the British Madras Regiment officers Colonel Hunter and Morrison and kept them at Mangalgad.
• After the Maratha Empire ended in 1818, British Colonel Pother captured this fort during the British campaign and took it under British rule.
• After India gained independence, this fort came under the Archaeological Department of the Government of India.
• Such is the detailed information about Mangalgad Fort.
