When one thinks of Wardha district, what comes to mind is Mahatma Gandhi’s Sewagram, but at one time, this district in Vidarbha had many forts existing in the forms of hill forts, ground forts, and fortified mansions (gadhis). While exploring the forts of Wardha district, we came across remains of a total of ten forts. Even in today’s digital age, information about these forts is not available on the internet. I have attempted to present the information gathered during these visits on the Durgbharari website. Most of these gadhis are completely ruined, with only a few walls of the fortification, a bastion, or a gate surviving against time. Among these ten forts, two are hill forts, one is a Sarai (rest house), and the remaining seven are gadhis. ... Most of these gadhis have villages, temples, or dargah established inside them, and these structures have gradually encroached upon the fort remains. Additionally, the locals' ignorance and indifference toward these structures have also contributed to their deterioration. After the princely states were annexed and the gadhis became private properties, it became difficult for the owners to maintain them, leading to their destruction or complete erasure. One such gadhi is located in Virul village of Arvi taluka. To visit the gadhi in Virul, one must reach Wardha city, from where the distance to Virul is about 32 km, with buses and rickshaws available to get there. On the way to the gadhi from the bus stop, many old-style houses and mansions can be seen. The rectangular-shaped gadhi is located on a mound in the centre of the village, occupying about one acre. At one time, it had seven bastions, of which only four bastions and a portion of the earthen fortification survive today. Two of these bastions were located near the gate, while the other five were built into the fort walls. Loopholes for gunfire can be seen on these bastions. The gadhi's gate faces east and, although it has been partially restored, its original structure remains. On both sides inside the gate are office rooms. At the centre of the gadhi is a raised platform built with dressed stone, behind which stands a wall of a collapsed mansion. To the left inside the gate are the homes of the original owners and their descendants, and behind the first house in this row is a five-sided well built in dressed stone. According to information provided by Shashikant Vani (Khurzadikars), the original owners and descendants of the gadhi, the Khurzadikars held proprietary rights over four villages, one of which was Virul. The gadhi at Sonegaon was donated by the Khurzadikars to Saint Abaji, and for some reason, they relocated from Kurzhadi and settled in Virul. The gadhi at Virul was originally built by the Pindaris, and the Khurzadikars took control of it after moving here. Half an hour is sufficient to explore the entire gadhi.
© Suresh Nimbalkar