The only place in Maharashtra known for its swaying minarets is the village of Farkande in the Erandol taluka of Jalgaon district. We often came across mentions of this site in geography textbooks during childhood, but over time, the place tends to fade from memory. While reading about these swaying minarets of Farkande, I discovered that the village lies within a fortified settlement (Nagardurg) and contains a fort-like gadhi (mansion-fort), which added another name to my list of fortified towns. Located 50 km from the Nashik–Agra highway via Parola and 18 km from Erandol town, the village of Farkande doesn’t give away its fortified nature at first glance. However, once you reach the minarets, you can observe the surrounding walls and a small gate descending into a moat, confirming that the village lies within a fort. ... Since occasional tourists do visit the site, it is well-known among locals, making it easy to locate. The minarets are part of a mosque, enclosed within a walled courtyard. At the front of the mosque lies the fort’s rampart and a small gate that leads down into an exterior moat. The wooden entrance door in the outer wall of the mosque appears relatively modern. Upon entering through this gate, there’s a small water tank to the left and a tomb to the right. A stone drain from outside was used to fill the tank, though it now lies dry. At the back of the mosque, three domes rise behind the façade, where two minarets once stood—these are the famous "swaying minarets." One of the minarets collapsed on 21 March 1991, but the other still stands tall. The remaining minaret is about 40 feet high, and the two were once connected by three arches. Each minaret has a small entrance and narrow spiral stairs inside, allowing only one person to ascend at a time. Small windows are built into the structure for air and light, and at the top, arched openings offer a panoramic view of the village. Although the remaining minaret no longer sways, locals recall that when one minaret was shaken, the other would sway in response. This unusual movement earned them the nickname “Swinging Towers of Farkande.” According to some experts, the mosque was likely built about 400 years ago during the Farooqui dynasty, while others believe it was a more recent construction by a man named Chand Momin during British rule. Regardless of the truth, the architecture is remarkable and reflects fine craftsmanship. After visiting the mosque, one should explore the rest of Farkande village. In the village centre lies a crumbling gadhi that appears to be counting its final days. Once a four-towered structure, only two bastions and two walls now remain. Nature and humans alike have taken their toll on the rest of the building. Next, explore the remaining portions of the Nagarkot (fortified town). Farkande is situated within a ground fort (Bhuikot Killa), and remnants of its ramparts are still visible around the village. There were once four gates in the walls, but only three survive today. Two of these still retain their arched forms—one near the mosque and another along a main path through the village. The arched gateway along the main road stands about 20 feet tall and is flanked by fairly intact walls. The fourth gate lies along the road leading out of the village, but its arch appears to have collapsed, perhaps during road construction or earlier. Two bastions still stand near this site. The outer fortifications here are well-constructed, and lime mortar was used in joining the stonework. Judging by the structure and construction techniques, it appears to date back to the Farooqui period. Although the Utawali River can be seen on both sides of the village today, historical evidence suggests its waters were once diverted into a moat that encircled the fortification. One can comfortably explore the entire village of Farkande on foot within about an hour and a half. As of now, I have not come across any detailed historical records about the village’s past.
© Suresh Nimbalkar