Maharashtra is truly a treasure mine of forts. The diversity of forts found in Maharashtra is not seen anywhere else. These forts and citadels are not only our sources of inspiration but also carry the legacy of our glorious history. While describing forts, Kavindra Paramananda in his Shivbharata writes: "Prabhunā durgamaṁ durgaṁ prabhu durgeṇa durgamaḥ | Adurgamatvā dubhyor vidviṣan neva durgamaḥ ||"He defines the word durg as — “Impenetrable to attack, difficult to approach — that is called a fort.” The earliest reference to forts is found in the Rigveda. The walled cities mentioned there are called Pur in its hymns. In the ancient epics Mahabharata and Ramayana, especially in the Shantiparva of the Mahabharata, there are clear references to forts. In Kautilya’s Arthashastra, two entire chapters are devoted to the subject of forts. They describe Giri Durg (hill forts), Vandurg (forest forts), Jaldurga (water forts), and Bhudurg (land forts), along with detailed accounts of ramparts, bastions, and moats in fort construction. ... The Satavahana of Paithan were the earliest known royal dynasty of Maharashtra. In the lofty Sahyadri ranges, to protect Naneghat, forts like Jivdhan, Chavand, Hadsar, and Shivneri were built by the Satavahana emperors. After them, dynasties like the Abhir, Vakatakas, Chalukya, Rashtrakut, and Yadavas enriched this wealth of forts. Later, when Islamic rule became established in Maharashtra during the Bahmani period, certain local kingdoms also arose. These rulers built small and large Bhuikot (ground) forts for administrative work and protection from invasions. All these powers used forts primarily for specific purposes: protection, collecting tolls, and guarding mountain passes. But in the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, this picture changed. The origin, development, and golden age of a “fort-centered system of governance” belongs to the period of Chhatrapati Shivaji! In line with Kautilya’s statement "Eṣāṁ hi bāhuguṇyena giridurgo viśiṣyate" (“Of all, the hill fort is supreme because of its many advantages”), Shivaji Maharaj established posts on the barren, neglected hills of Maval, making precise use of the inaccessibility of the Sahyadri mountains for the defense and expansion of Swarajya. Although inaccessibility was the real identity of a fort, other factors were also considered during fort construction: the surrounding geographical features, defensive advantages, and the basic needs for habitation on the fort. The most important among these was water. The royal edict (Agnapatra) says: "First ensure the presence of water before building a fort. Even if a site without water becomes available for construction, break the rock to make ponds and tanks that can supply water to the entire fort until the rainy season. If there is a spring, do not be complacent, for in battle, the noise of cannons can reduce the flow, and water consumption increases — then a crisis arises. Therefore, build two to four reserve tanks as emergency water stores, and ensure that their water is never wasted. Protect the fort’s water supply carefully." Thus, the main policy was to build any fort only after securing an adequate water supply. The defense system of a fort began from the villages in its surrounding region, called the Ghera — the land and villages at the fort’s base. Next came the watch (pahara). Apart from the main paths leading to the fort, guards were posted at difficult and unfrequented locations for security. These guards had specific names and duties, such as patrolling at night. Then came the met — settlements along the path to the fort. The metkars kept watch on those ascending the fort. The actual construction of the fort began with the rampart (tatbandi) at about half its height. This rampart was the fort’s armour. Its design depended on geography — where sheer cliffs stood, there might be no wall, while on weaker sides, a double wall was built. Early ramparts were of wood or mud; later, dressed stone and brick were used. On these ramparts stood the bastions (Buruj), key points for watch and defense, often housing cannons. Some bastions had double construction — armoured bastions (Chilkhati Buruj) — where an outer bastion shielded an inner one so that if the outer wall fell to attack, the inner bastion remained intact. In ground forts, a deep moat (Khandak) was dug around the rampart, filled with water and sometimes crocodiles or snakes, to keep enemies from approaching. A removable bridge was placed for access. The main gateway (Mahadarwaja) was strategically hidden between two bastions so it couldn’t be seen directly from outside. Above it were murder-holes and openings for defense, and often it bore carvings of elephants, lions, mythical creatures, deities, and floral motifs. Larger forts had additional gates, with small side doors (dindi darwaza) for passage without opening the main gate. Inside the gate stood the guardroom (devdi), and sometimes above it, a Nagarkhana — a gallery for beating war drums and blowing trumpets in times of need. Beyond the gate lay the machi — the plateau below the main citadel (balekilla). The machi was vital for defense and housed most of the population on the fort, except for the most important figures. Therefore, most of the forts’ mansions, courtyards, storehouses, tanks, and other buildings are mainly found on this plateau. While viewing the fort’s fortifications, on the inner side of these tall bastions and gates, in some places, steps are seen built to reach them. Climbing these steps, one reaches the phanji (parapet walkway) inside the fort walls. The flat space inside the wall used for patrolling is called phanji. It was used by guards to keep watch. The holes in the walls and bastions for firing guns or arrows are called jangya. These are sloped outward so that enemies outside the fort can be easily targeted with guns or arrows while remaining behind the protection of the wall. In addition, in some places, large openings are built for cannons to be aimed outside. The cannons on these bastions were an important part of the fort’s defense. They were generally of two types — cast and built. Cast cannons were made by melting metal and pouring it into a mold, while built cannons were made by forging pieces and joining them together with circular hoops. These cannons were mainly made of iron or alloy metals, and their firing capacity depended on their size. On some forts, one can see triangular or pentagonal carved stones in the shape of petals on the fort walls and gates. These stones are called charya. They added to the beauty of the fort and could also be used to attack the enemy from behind cover. While taking a round of the fort walls, one often finds small gates in the fortifications. This passage, called chordindi or chor darwaza (secret escape gate), was used to escape in times of crisis. As per the orders of the Chhatrapati, every fort was to have such a chordindi apart from the main gate. Accordingly, we find these gates on remote and less-known sides of forts. In addition, while moving around the fort walls, in some forts we see toilets built in the wall (below the phanji). On the highest bastion of the fortifications, a space for the flagstaff can be seen. The most important necessity for the fort’s settlement was water. When constructing a fort, the first step was to ensure the presence of water. Stones excavated while digging tanks into the rock were used for building walls and other structures. Since water was so important, besides these tanks, lakes and wells were built. On many forts, we also find dams built on slopes to store water. After completing a circuit of the fort walls, one can see many buildings and related structures on the plateau. The most important among these was the Ambarkhana — the grain storehouse of the fort. On large forts, this had a separate building, while on smaller forts, grain was stored in caves or other places. Another important structure on the fort was the gunpowder storehouse. To keep the fort battle-ready, ammunition for cannons was extremely important. These storehouses were located far from residential areas. To prevent moisture damage, the inner walls were plastered with high-quality lime. The gunpowder storehouse was guarded day and night, and no one was allowed near it without permission. On small forts, the gunpowder storehouse and armoury were combined, while on large forts, they were separate. The armoury stored weapons like shields, swords, guns, armour, spears, belts, and axes. Another important building on the fort was the sadar — the main administrative office, where meetings, complaints, justice, and important decisions were handled. Some sadar dealt only with fort matters, while others also addressed issues from the surrounding areas. On small forts, the sadar and the fort commander’s mansion were combined. The wada or royal mansion was another structure on the fort. Usually, the fort commander lived here, but when members of the royal family visited, they were accommodated in this mansion. Every fort had a temple dedicated to some deity, most often the gaddevta (fort deity). Once upon a time, eternal lamps burned in these temples, but today most are in ruins. Near the main gate, one would also find stables for horses. Another structure found on forts was the Andhar kothdi or prison for keeping captives. To prevent conspiracies, this was usually located far from the royal mansion and the sadar. All over the fort, one can see stone platforms of various sizes where officers and soldiers lived. In earlier times, lime was used for construction and plastering. On many forts, the lime mill and its stone grinding wheel can still be seen. The second enclosed part of the fort, located on a hill or elevated part of the plateau, was called the balekilla (citadel). Simply put, the balekilla was another fort at the highest point of the main fort. It contained the fort’s most important structures and the royal family’s residence. While exploring forts, one often finds tombs, hero stones (virgal), sati memorial stones, and inscriptions in villages at the base or on the fort itself. Virgal were erected in memory of warriors who died in battle. Tombs were built to honor brave men or members of the royal family. If the warrior’s wife committed sati with him, a sati shila was erected in her memory. Inscriptions within the fort give historical information about the fort’s construction and the different ruling dynasties. These inscriptions, carved in Brahmi, Persian, and Devanagari scripts, were sometimes embossed and sometimes engraved. On hill forts, one often sees many caves. Some caves are natural, but most are man-made from ancient times, sometimes even serving as rock-cut chambers (lenis). These caves were used for many purposes. Another natural wonder on hill forts is the nedhe — a hole piercing completely through the mountain of the fort. On important forts, there were also separate buildings for secret councils, clothing storage, treasury, archives, minting, elephant stables, and training grounds. Because of these structures, some forts were complete towns in themselves. If one explores with a keen eye, many of these structures can still be identified. So, let’s go explore these forts!
© Suresh Nimbalkar