Ajanta Ghat is said to bring to our eyes the world-renowned Ajanta Caves. The impact of these Ajanta Caves on tourists is such that the other historical structures in this area have been completely overshadowed. While many fort enthusiasts may have seen the Ajanta Caves, the fort located just beyond these caves, known as Ajanta Fort, remains entirely unnoticed and unexplored. Since medieval times, Ajanta has been the primary mountain pass connecting Khandesh and Marathwada. Sometimes referred to as the entrance gate to Marathwada-Khandesh. When traveling from Aurangabad towards the Ajanta Caves, about 100 km away, there is the Ajanta Ghat. If one approaches from Jalgaon, crossing the Soygaon Phata, Ajanta Ghat is about 6 km ahead. ... While traveling from Jalgaon to Aurangabad, when crossing the Soygaon Phata, the Ajanta Hills come into view. This pass is known as the entrance to Marathwada-Khandesh. After arriving from Aurangabad, where the Ajanta Ghat commences, a rough road appears to the east leading to the fort's entrance gate. Climbing the slight elevation of the fort's entrance gate, one can immediately view the complete Ajanta Ghat. As a measure of protection and control for this Ghat route, a fort was built on the hill on one side known as Ajanta Fort, while on the other side, another small fort was constructed called Fardapur Fort. Observing both these forts from the respective villages provides a glimpse of the transportation route. The fort in Ajanta Ghat is located to the west of the road leading from Aurangabad. A rough road allows direct access to the fort's entrance gate. The door is still fully intact and is made of solid stone. The height of door is such a high that elephant can pass through door easily. Next to the door, there is a small opening (charya) in the stone wall & we can see some temple carved stone used to build fortification. On the side of the door, facing the fort, there is a watchtower built with stones, while on the opposite side facing Fardapur Fort, a watchtower has been constructed with more solid and well-finished stones. To reach the door, one must climb up the well-built stone steps, and at the top, there is a round bastion. As you ascend this watchtower, the entire Ajanta Ghat comes into view. This place could have been soldier’s residence, the spacious path from the front door of the fort leads to the hill. The ramparts present on the hill slope have been completely demolished and only door and some of ramparts on slope are remaining. Stairs have been built in order to reach the upper part of the door. Since the only remnants present on the fort are the ramparts and the door, the trek of this fort can be completed in around half an hour. Since this fort has been unknown to all its history remains a mystery.
© Suresh Nimbalkar