Nandivardhan Fort, also known as Nagardhan Fort, is located at Nagardhan village, 38 km from Nagpur and about 6 km from Ramtek. This ancient fort is famous for its beautiful structure and magnificent ramparts. Nagardhan village can be reached from Nagpur by way of Ramtek. Nagardhan Fort was originally built by the Vakataka dynasty, which ruled from the 3rd to 5th century CE. During that time, this fort was the capital of the Vakataka kingdom and was then known as Nandivardhan. Queen Prabhavati Gupta, the daughter of Gupta emperor Chandragupta II and wife of Vakataka king Rudrasena II, ruled from here for many years. The famous poet Kalidas is also believed to have stayed here. In the medieval period, the fort came under the rule of the Gonds, who rebuilt it. Later, in the Maratha period, Raghuji Bhosale of Nagpur rebuilt the fort again. ... This quadrangular fort, spread over about 2 acres, is surrounded by strong laterite stone ramparts. There are bastions at regular intervals and two main gates — the main gate to the north and another to the east. Above the northern entrance is a Nagarkhana (drum house). The gate has an ornate arch, wooden doors studded with iron spikes, and images of Ganesha and other deities carved in the lintel. Inside the fort, there are residential buildings, storage rooms, and open courtyards. There is a square stepwell of three storeys, with steps leading down to an underground chamber, which must have been used for resting in summer. Another attraction is a beautifully constructed rectangular reservoir with stone steps on all four sides, and niches in the walls to place lamps. The fort’s ramparts have seven bastions, out of which four are circular and three are square. The rampart height is about 18 feet, with a thickness of 8 feet. The parapet wall has loopholes for firing. Rainwater outlets (Panhale) are also seen along the ramparts. From the bastions, there is a clear view of the surrounding countryside. The Archaeological Department has taken the fort under protection and has carried out repairs in 2012. Today, the fort is in fairly good condition and is open to visitors. It takes about an hour to see the entire fort. Nagardhan Fort, which has witnessed the rule of the Vakatakas, Gonds, and Bhosale, stands as an important testimony to Vidarbha history. This fort, with its historical and architectural significance, should definitely be visited.
© Suresh Nimbalkar