Samangad Fort information in English
Every fort had a secure place to store the weapons and gunpowder required for the brave soldiers to fight. Such a place carried important protective responsibility for that kingdom and the surrounding region. During the Maratha period, in the Kolhapur division, Samangad Fort was the main source of supplying weapons and gunpowder to forts like Rangana, Bhudargad, Panhala, and Vishalgad.
The fort Samangad is sanctified by the footsteps of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sant Samarth Ramdas Swami.
The fort bears witness to the valor of Prataprao Gujar.
The fort also stands as testimony to the courage of the Gadkari (fort soldiers) who first raised the banner of revolt against the British and fought for freedom.
Samangad Fort served as the supplier of arms, ammunition, and other provisions to forts such as Bhudargad, Rangana, Vishalgad, and Panhala.
Location of Samangad Fort
Samangad Fort is located in India, in the state of Maharashtra, Kolhapur district, Gadhinglaj Taluka, near Chinchewadi village, on the Gadhinglaj–Nesari road, in the sub-ranges of the Sahyadri mountains.
Height
The height of Samangad Fort is 2,972 feet above sea level.
How to Reach Samangad Fort:
From Kolhapur, take the Gadhinglaj–Nesari road. From Nesari, at about 10 km distance lies the village of Chinchewadi. From the main square of this village, proceed further by tar road to reach Samangad. The total distance is around 80 km.
From National Highway No. 4: Sankeshwar – Gadhinglaj – Nesari Road – Chinchewadi – Samangad.
Gadhinglaj to Chinchewadi is about 10 km.
Places to See on Samangad Fort and Surroundings:
On the fort: Darshani Buruj (Entrance Bastion), Jhenda Buruj (Flag Bastion), Vetala Buruj, Bhavani Temple, Sakhar Well, Saat Kamani Well, Andhar Kothdi (Dark Cell), Chor Khind (Secret Pass), Underground Cisterns, Mughal Hill.
Nearby places: Hanuman Hill Temple, Bhimsasagiri Hill, Hanuman Temple and Shri Ramchandra Residential Shiva Temple, etc.
Explanation:
In Kolhapur district, between Gadhinglaj and Nesari villages, lies Chinchewadi. From here, when we proceed towards Samangad, memories of the bravery of Shivaji Maharaj’s seven Mavlas come alive. One also recalls the valor of Swarajya’s commander-in-chief Prataprao Gujar.
During the final campaign against Bahalol Khan, Prataprao Gujar stayed near this Samangad fort. When Bahalol Khan, who had marched against Swarajya, fell into the trap of Prataprao Gujar’s army, he surrendered. Prataprao Gujar, upon his surrender, allowed him to return safely to Bijapur.
When this news reached Shivaji Maharaj, he rebuked Prataprao harshly. Angered, Prataprao marched upon Bahalol Khan with only seven brave warriors. In that battle, the seven heroes laid down their lives. This event took place at the Nesari pass, a few kilometers from Samangad.
Carrying those memories, when one climbs the tar road to the fort, the first structure that comes across is a bastion. This beautifully curved bastion, still strong today, is known as Darshani Buruj.
Jhenda Buruj (Flag Bastion):
Upon entering the fort and proceeding along the ramparts, one finds a flag pillar on a bastion. This pillar was built by the British when they captured the fort. That bastion is called Jhenda Buruj.
Underground Grain Stores:
After Jhenda Buruj, moving a little further, one comes across underground grain storage chambers. As Samangad was a supply fort, many such underground stores were built to keep provisions.
Vetala Buruj:
Situated in the sub-ranges of the Sahyadri mountains, the fort is strongly protected with many bastions, around ten in total. One of them is named Vetala Buruj.
Bhavani Mata Temple:
In the middle of the fort, one can see the temple of Goddess Bhavani. Nowadays, it appears that the temple has been renovated. Inside the sanctum, there is a beautiful idol of Goddess Bhavani carved in black stone.
Sakhar Well:
In front of the temple, there is a square-shaped well, known as the Sakhar Well. Along with this, one can also find one or two more wells nearby.
Satkamani Well:
Here, you can see a uniquely designed well that you may not have seen anywhere else. It is built with seven arches, one after another. The well has beautiful steps and was constructed to provide abundant water to quench the thirst of those living on the fort. The structure consists of a series of chambers, one after another, topped with arches. As you descend inside, you can notice carvings of different animals on the inner walls. The bottom of this well has not yet been reached—it is extremely deep.
Dark Cell (Andhar Kothadi):
On Samangad fort, there exists an underground chamber. This place was used to imprison war captives as well as criminals.
Eastern Gate:
While excavating the eastern side of the fort, one can see the ruined remains of the Eastern Gate. Only the lower threshold remains in good condition. From the remains, one can imagine how strong and sturdy this gate must have been.
Secret Passage (Chorkhind):
While walking along the fortifications towards the north, you come across a secret passage. In times of crisis, this route was used to supply provisions to the fort. If the enemy captured the fort, this passage allowed families, tribes, and soldiers to escape safely. It was also used to carry out guerrilla warfare tactics.
Sondi Buruj (Trunk Bastion):
The fort narrows towards the east. On this side, you can see a bastion shaped like an elephant’s trunk. It is called Sondi Buruj.
Mughal Hill:
In front of the Sondi Buruj, you can see a hill. To conquer Samangad, the Mughal army in those times did labor work and built up this hill. That is the Mughal Hill moment.
On the fort walls, you can see loopholes (jangyas) at many places. Through them, it was possible to observe outside and aim. In times of crisis, the enemy could be targeted from here.
After completing the visit of Samangad, while returning by the same path, you will see the stairway going towards the Hanuman Temple in the Bhimsasgiri hills. Moving ahead by this path, you come across an area of 65 hectares. This is an extremely beautiful and peaceful place.
Hanuman Temple:
This is a very charming place where there is a beautiful Hanuman Temple. The temple has been reconstructed, and inside the sanctum you can see a fine black stone idol of Hanuman. In front of the temple, you can see beautiful Deepmalas (lamp towers). This calm and serene place gives a special peace to the mind.
Shiva Temple:
In front of the Hanuman Temple, you will find a beautiful Shiva Temple built by excavating deep into the ground. It belongs to the Treta Yuga, and it is believed that Lord Shri Ram, Lakshman, and Goddess Sita resided here. This temple looks like a mansion. First, by the stairway, you descend into the temple. At the entrance, there is a waiting hall. In front of the waiting hall, there is a small pillar with many Shiva lingams on it. Ahead of that is a basement that has one Shiva lingam. Above this basement is a Shri Ram temple.
In the main temple complex, you can see many small temples. Among them is the Dnyaneshwar Temple. Nearby, there are small shrines in which the twelve Jyotirlingas have been established.
• Beneath the Audumbar tree, there is a Datta temple, and beside the twelve Jyotirlingas one can see a Yajna-kund.
After that, in the front, there is a temple of Lord Shani. Next to it lies the Kailas temple, and behind this Kailas temple one can see the seat of Lord Shri Ramchandra. Further ahead is the Laxman Kothi. Beyond that is the kitchen, and near it, at the back, is the resting chamber of Lord Ram. Such a peaceful and pure atmosphere can be experienced at this place. On coming to this holy land, the mind attains peace.
Historical Background of Samangad:
• In the Treta Yuga, Lord Ramchandra, Goddess Sita, and Laxman resided in this region.
• Later, during the reign of Shilahara King Bhoja II, the first construction of Samangad fort was done here.
• After that, the fort was under the rule of the Bahmani Sultanate.
• When the Bahmani kingdom was divided, the fort came under the Adilshahi rule.
• In the year 1667, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj brought this fort into Swarajya.
• Annaji Datto, the Secretary from the Ashta Pradhan Mandal of Swarajya, was in charge of this southern province. It is believed that under his authority, repairs and some constructions were carried out on this fort.
• In the year 1688, the Mughals conquered this fort.
• In the year 1701, the fort was again taken into the Maratha rule.
• After some time, Prince Bedar Bakht once again laid siege and recaptured the fort, appointing Shahamir as its Killedar.
• In the year 1704, the Samangad fort once again came into the service of Swarajya.
• After the Warna Treaty, this fort came under the Karvir kingdom of Maharani Tarabai.
• Later, the fort was captured by the British.
• In the revolt of the fort soldiers in the year 1844, the soldiers of Samangad were also included.
• In this revolt, Munjappa Kadam led. Along with him were 350 fort soldiers, 10 cannons, 100 gunmen (Barwale), and 200 soldiers. They together repelled the British attack twice.
• Finally, on 13th October 1844, Samangad was captured by the British. To ensure that the fort soldiers would not revolt again, the British destroyed the eastern gate and the fortifications with the help of cannons. At present, the construction work on this fort has been done by Gadhinglaj MLA Babasaheb Kupekar from the MLA fund.
• Prataprao Gujar stayed here while he went on a campaign against Bahalol Khan.
Such is the information and history of Samangad Fort.
