The number of forts in Amravati district is too numerous to be counted on the fingers of one's hand. It includes a mighty fort like Gavilgad, the Nagardurg of Achalpur and the small fort of Amner. Fortresses were built in this area for administrative purposes but they are too numerous to count on the fingers of the hand. It includes Karajgaon, Sultanpura and Hinglaj forts, but it is doubtful how many of these fortresses were used for administrative work. Only these three medieval forts are visible in the entire Amravati district. One of these forts is the fort at Karajgaon in Chandurbazar taluka. This fortress is located in the middle of Karajgaon, on the banks of the river, at a distance of 25 km from Chandurbazar taluka and 15 km from Paratwada city. Since the place where the fortress is located is known as “Gadhi Mohalla” in the village, we can easily reach the fort with help of locals. ... The construction of the outer ramparts of the fort is still in good condition, but the inner structures are completely destroyed. This rectangular shaped fort is built on an area of about less than half acre and the ramparts of the fort have four bastions at the four ends. The base construction of the fort is made of stone and the rest of the construction is made of bricks. The entire construction is very artistically done in nine layers. The height of the ramparts is about 40 feet and there are beautiful brick-built structures on the upper part. The main gate of the fort faces north and the wooden door in it is still there. This wooden door has a small side door for access when the main door is closed. At some distance to the left of the gate is a small temple of the goddess. As the fort is used as a toilet by the locals, one has to wander around the fort with a handkerchief on the nose. Inside the fort we can see a sunken well and some warehouses in the ramparts. There is a stairway from inside the ramparts to the top and its use is dangerous due to its collapse. Besides, there is a toilet in the lower part. The remaining part of the fort is overgrown with vegetation. Wandering around the fort is difficult due to this disgusting act of locals. This Peshwa-era structure, which is about 250 to 300 years old, is only counting its last days due to neglect. Apart from the fact that the owner of the fort is a Deshmukh and lives in Nagpur, the local people do not have any historical information about this fort. 15 minutes is enough to explore the entire fort.
© Suresh Nimbalkar