Several forts in Maharashtra were utilized by the British during the colonial period for government purposes. Some of these forts include Hirakot in Alibaug, Ahmednagar Fort, Sitabardi, Purandar, and Thane Fort. You can at least see the forts under the control of the army on certain days, but the forts which have been converted into prisons are far from being visited. Hirakot and Thane Fort, for example, underwent transformations into military prisons during the British era. Despite being visible from the outside, exploring these forts requires permission. The fort situated in the middle of Bhandardara city covers an area of six acres and is surrounded by bastions on all four sides, fortified with ramparts. Within the fortifications, six bastions of varying sizes are connected to the main structure, which dates back to the eastern side, where arches and porches were constructed on the ground attached to the walls. ... One notable structure within these premises is a well. The main entrance of the fort faces west, with two bastions on either side of the entrance gate adorned with Sharabh sculptures and lotus. The upper part of the gate features both bastions and ramparts, strategically designed for firearm deployment. Although the fort's watchtower, built on the rocky surface, initially consisted of a stone wall, it has been later covered with lime or cement in subsequent periods. The fortification wall surrounding the fort, particularly on the side where the bastions are located, features a defensive ditch, making it difficult for invaders to reach the fort directly. The fort's main gate, along with the two adjacent bastions and a portion of the defensive ditch, completes the tour. The main gate of the fort can be visited within five minutes. The history of forts in Vidarbha dates back to the Satavahan period. During the medieval era, around the 12th and 13th centuries, political upheavals led to the construction of several forts in Vidarbha on a large scale. Approximately 35 forts are present in the region, categorized as Giri Durg (hill fort) and Bhuikot (ground fort). In the 13th century, the rise of the Gond kingdom in the eastern part of Vidarbha led to their dominance, and for nearly 400 years, they ruled over this territory. In 1739, Nagpur's Raghuji Bhonsle defeated the Gonds, and subsequently, in 1818, Major Wilson, under British leadership, captured Bhandardara city and fort as a strategic move, repurposing it as a prison.
© Suresh Nimbalkar