In the border region of Maharashtra and Gujarat, many forts stand reflecting the valor of the Marathas. One such fort is Ajmalgadh, located near the town of Ghodmal in the Navsari district of Gujarat. To reach the fort, one can use the nearest railway station, Balsad, which is approximately 52 km away. The establishment of the Shiva lingam in the Someshwar Mahadev Temple on the fort is attributed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Maharashtra Marathas, while on a plundering expedition in Surat, are said to have camped at this fort, as mentioned in the information provided by the Gujarat Tourism Ministry. Ajmalgadh Fort is around 12 km from Vasanda city and 25 km from Dharampur. To reach the fort from the Vasanda-Dharampur highway, there is a common road leading to the fort, which is approximately 5 km long. ... Since there are limited transportation options, especially due to the absence of buses, travelers usually prefer hiring auto rickshaws to reach the fort from the highway. With the development of tourism and forest departments in Gujarat, vehicles can directly reach the fort, and an entrance fee of Rs. 30 is charged. The place from where our vehicle enters the fort, we can see a collapsed bastion. There is also a small carved tank here, at some distance from this tank there is a small manmade lake. This fort, situated on the Sahyadri mountain range is 1200 feet above sea level and extends over an area of 8 acres. The newly built temple of Ram and Mahadev, is situated on this completely flat plateau. The installation of the Shiva lingam in this temple is said to have been performed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and there is also a Parsi memorial pillar visible. The forest department has erected shelters at various places for tourists, and while trekking, remnants of a fortification wall and the remains of a bastion with a view of dense jungle can be seen. The complete trek takes approximately half an hour. In the 7th century, during the reign of King Shrimant Kirtidev of Vasanda, Parsi clan shifted here with their holy fire "IranShah Atash" to this location to protect it from Muslim invasions, as well as Portuguese and French attacks. He resided here for about 14 years, and in this memory, the Parsi pillar has been erected here.
© Suresh Nimbalkar