Many forts in Maharashtra have gone into the oblivion of the people today and the exact location of these forts is nowhere to be found in the pages of history. Mr. Sachin Joshi from Pune has brought some new forts to light through research. Mohangad in Pune district, Panhaldurg in Raigad, and Kasardurg, Manikdurg, Navtedurg in Ratnagiri district are the forts. We get the information about the Kasardurg fort from the book “Durgvastu” by Mr. Anand Palande. This fort located in Guhagar taluka of Ratnagiri district in Konkan is mentioned in the book “Anjanvelchi Vahivaat”. This fort, which has remained unknown till date, is counting its last days as it is completely neglected by people. Guhagar-Sringaratli-Velamb-Sheer route is convenient for visiting this fort located on the banks of Kutagiri river near Sheer village on Kotaluk-Abaloli road. ... Since no one in Sheer village knows about this fort, one should visit this fort with complete knowledge. From the village of Sheer, taking the Abloli Road towards Kutgiri-Pabhare village, there is a bridge over the Kutagiri River on the way, about 200 feet to the left of the road. This fort is located on the left side of this road. Coming from Sheer village, we climb up a small hill or valley, so this fort has to be called a hill fort to some extent. There are 2-3 houses on the right side of the road. Kutagiri river’s basin has been used as protection while on the other side a trench is create to protect the fort from intruders. The length of this trench in the south-east is about 300-350 feet, width 15 feet and depth 6 feet. Today we can see this trench and its 3-4 steps as a fort. The trench is submerged at some places and a path has been made to cross it. On the inside of the trench, the carved stones of the ramparts can be seen. Apart from this, remnants of a porch (chauthara) can be seen inside, but there is a huge amount of vegetation growing on them. Other remains have been completely destroyed as the rest of the fort has been cultivated. As there are no other remnants at the fort, our trek is completed in 15 minutes. It is convenient to have a private vehicle with you while wandering around this fort. In the document titled “Anjanvelchi Vahivaat”, this fort and its premises were in the possession of a Sardar named Pawar of Vijayanagar. All the three forts Kasardurg, Manikdurg, Navtedurg are on the way from Palshet port to Karad market. These forts may have been built to collect taxes and protect traders on this route. Looking at the present condition of the fort, this fort must have fallen during Shivaji Maharaja’s period. More information is not available about this fort.
© Suresh Nimbalkar