Many ground forts in Maharashtra have been encroached upon. Not only forts in urban areas but also forts in rural areas have encroached. The remnants of the fort are being destroyed due to the urbanization taking place on these forts. Chandpur fort in Tumsar taluka of Bhandara district is also counting the last. The fort should be visited as soon as possible before the remaining remains of the fort are destroyed. Chandpur fort is at a distance of 52 km from Bhandara city and at a distance of 21 km from Tumsar taluka. As there is not much public transport system to reach Chandpur village, one has to look for private transport vehicles. Chandpur fort is situated on a small hill before entering Chandpur village. There is a footpath leading to the fort from this turn and due to the Dargah on the fort, new cement steps have been constructed to reach there. ... Apart from this, a paved road has been constructed from the village to the Dargah of this fort. Due to all these constructions, the remains of the fort have been destroyed on a large scale. As you walk along with these steps, you enter the fort through the ruined ramparts. Upon entering the fort, two bastions can be seen on both sides in front. One of these bastions has a tomb. The road leading to the fort has been brought up by breaking down the ramparts of the fort and the remnants of the gate. This square-shaped fort is spread over an area of 1 acre and this fort built on the slope of the hill has four collapsed bastions at the four ends in its ramparts. The ramparts of the fort have been severely demolished and today the ramparts are only 6-7 feet high. The fort has a Dargah of Sufi saints and some other tombs can be seen here. While walking around the fort, no other ruins can be seen except a quadrangle structure of the mansion. There is no water supply on the fort today. It has been destroyed over time. As the area of the fort is very small, your fort round could be completed within 15 minutes. Bhandara district is often mentioned in the book Lilacharitra of the Mahanubhav sect. This province, which is blessed with nature, was under the rule of Gawli king till 1743, after which it came under the rule of Nagpurkar Bhosale. In 1853, this province, which was under the control of Nagpurkar Bhosale, came under the control of the British.
© Suresh Nimbalkar