Today many fortresses in Maharashtra have fallen into disuse and are falling into disrepair. As some of the fortresses have become desolate and their owners have no address, the locals have taken over these fortresses and started temples or similar activities there. Not only this, but in some places, the descendants of the fortresses have given these fortresses to local organizations to carry out their local activities as it is not possible for them to maintain it. But no matter what happens, the downfall of these fortress still continues. One such fortress donated for local activities can be found in village Koregaon in Karjat taluka while wandering around Ahmednagar district. One thing must be kept in mind while hearing the mention of Koregaon village and another Koregaon located in Pune or Satara is completely different from this place. ... So let's take a look around this unfamiliar Koregaon fortress. Koregaon village in Karjat taluka of Ahmednagar district is 75 km from Ahmednagar city and only 6 km from Karjat taluka. While entering the village, one realizes that the village was once situated inside fortifications of ramparts. Although the Nagarkot is completely destroyed today, traces of its existence can be seen in some places. Near the Zilla Parishad School outside the village, we can see the ramparts of this fort, the ruined gate and also the guard room inside the gate. This door faces north and in front of the door is the temple of Maruti. A very large medieval well can be seen at some distance from this temple. Apart from this, locals say that there was another gate on the north side of the village, but this gate has now been demolished and a modern arch has been erected in its place. Near this arch there is an old stone temple and some remains of ramparts can be seen. There is an old fortress in the center of the village and inside this fortress is the newly built Koreshwar temple. This rectangular shaped fortress is spread over an area of about an acre and two bastions in a dilapidated state can be seen in the ramparts of the fort. Although the original north-facing entrance of the fortress still remains today, the bastions and other structures adjacent to it have been newly constructed. The ramparts in other parts of the fortress are in a very dilapidated condition and will probably accompany us for little more time. The base work of this fortress is made of large stones and the work above it is made of carved stones. This construction should probably be of pre-Shivaji Maharaja’s period. The fort is completely unknown and the history of the fort is not known even by the locals. While taking a tour of the village, one can see a medium sized cannon on a porch at one place. One hour is enough to see all the entire of Koregaon.
© Suresh Nimbalkar