While touring Palghar district of Maharashtra, one sees a large chain of single bastions built by the Portuguese. Because of this, I had the understanding that the single bastion chain was a gift of their warfare strategy by the Portuguese from a protection perspective. But while touring Chandrapur district, I found not one or two, but actually a chain of four bastions — Chanai-Vihirgaon-Rupapeth-Durgadi — near the border area of Chandrapur district, and my understanding that the single bastion was a Portuguese gift proved wrong. Except for the bastion at Vihirgaon, the other three structures are largely in a dilapidated state. The bastion at Durgadi village is one among them. The locals say that the village got the name 'Durgadi' because of this one bastion. Durgadi village is located 64 km from Chandrapur district and only 14 km from the place Korapna taluka. ... This village is just 2 km inside from the Korapna-Adilabad highway. This bastion is located in the central part of the village, and around it, today's Durgadi village is settled. Adjacent to this bastion is a square in the village, and in this square, a statue of Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar has been established close to the bastion. The structure of Durgadi bastion and Rupapeth bastion is uniform, and it seems that both these bastions were built under the same rule and by the same architect. This bastion, which is circular in shape, is approximately 40 feet high, and in the construction of the bastion, small flat stones have been used visibly. Judging by the entire construction, it seems this bastion was built during the Gond kings' period. The bastion is largely in ruins, and on its upper part, a large number of shrubs have grown, and these shrubs hang down from the fortification. These shrubs cover the upper part of the bastion, and it is unclear whether there is an entrance or not. Due to the bastion's dilapidated condition, climbing on it is dangerous. Earlier, ladders were probably used to enter the bastion. Although the entrance to the bastion is not visible from outside, it should be some height above the ground like the Vihirgaon bastion. Due to the bastion's dilapidation, its interior parts — such as the storage chamber, rooms, and inner walls — must have also collapsed. To see the entire bastion, 15 minutes is enough. While touring Chandrapur district, if a private vehicle is available, four forts — Chanai-Vihirgaon-Rupapeth-Durgadi — can be seen in half a day. During the Gond kings' period, at some places, single bastions were constructed for the protection of villages and towns. The construction of Durgadi bastion must have been done for the same reason. When asked about the bastion, locals say they don’t know anything, so the history of this bastion is silent.
© Suresh Nimbalkar