Since the Khandesh region, particularly Jalgaon district, is mostly a flat terrain, the number of hill forts (Giridurg) in this area is very limited—countable on one hand. The administrative structure here was largely managed by local Vatandar families (hereditary landlords). Regardless of who held central political power, these local families aligned themselves accordingly. Most of these Vatandar managed their affairs from their residences or mansions called "Gadhi". As a result, the region has a considerable number of such Gadhis. Since the Vatandar lived there, security arrangements were well maintained, and the Gadhi was often fortified like a small fort, with bastions and protective walls. ... After the abolition of the Watan (hereditary rights), these private properties became difficult to maintain for their owners. Consequently, many of these Gadhis have fallen into ruin, and some have completely vanished—though a few still survive as remnants. One such ruined Gadhi can be seen in the town of Pachora, which is the taluka headquarters. Upon reading that, in the early 19th century, the Mamlatdar’s office in Pachora was located in a Gadhi, we decided to explore and investigate. Today, this Gadhi has completely disappeared, except for a single surviving bastion (Buruj). To view this bastion, one must go to Kondwada Lane in Old Pachora. There stands a temple of Goddess Bhavani, next to which the bastion is located. This bastion is approximately 30 feet high, with the lower 15 feet constructed in stone and the upper portion built with bricks. From this lone bastion, one can get an idea of the original scale and strength of the Gadhi. Houses have now been built around it, and access to the bastion is through a narrow alley and steps. At the top of the bastion is a small platform or tomb-like structure, which may have been the reason why this part of the structure was preserved. The Hivra River flows on two sides of the Gadhi, providing natural protection. It is likely that the river once surrounded the Gadhi on three sides. From the top of the bastion, one can get a clear view of the entire Old Pachora town. During British times, this Gadhi was reportedly owned by a Deshmukh Muslim family. Their four-sided traditional mansion (Chausopi wada) still exists today. We met the family members, but unfortunately, they could not provide much additional information.
© Suresh Nimbalkar