Birwadi fort

BirwadiFort
बिरवाडी किल्ला
Raigad district, Maharashtra
Birwadi fort Entrance
Site information
TypeHill fort
OwnerGovernment of India
Controlled by Ahmadnagar (1521-1594)

 Portugal (1594)

 Maratha Empire (1739-1818)

East India Company (1818-1857)

British Raj (1857-1947)

 India (1947-)
Open to
the public
Yes
ConditionRuins
Location
BirwadiFort
Shown within Maharashtra
Coordinates18°25′24.7″N 73°02′30.9″E / 18.423528°N 73.041917°E / 18.423528; 73.041917
Height1200 Ft.
Site history
MaterialsStone

Birwadi fort (Marathi: बिरवाडी किल्ला) is hill fortress located in the village of Birwadi in Roha taluka, Raigad district, Maharashtra, India. Birwadi village is about 3 km away from Chanera village, which is on the Roha–Salav road. The fort looks like a small hillock from a distance.

Transportation

The fort is located 18 kilometres (11 mi) south west of Roha on a hill range that runs perpendicular to the Western Ghats.[1]

Birwadi fort is connected by road to the village Chanera. State buses and Rickshaw are available to reach Chanera from Roha. The way to the fort is from the back of the Newly constructed Devi temple. It takes about 45 minutes to walk to the top of the fort.

History

In 1648, this fort was built by Shivaji Maharaj,[1] along with Lingana fort, after capturing Kalyan. Birwadi fort was used to keep watch on the [[[Kundalika River]] and to check the activities of Siddhi.[1]

During the British Raj the surroundings were used as a game shooting reserve for district officers, with a campsite around 1 mile (1.6 km) from the fort.[2]

Places to see

There are four corner bastions and the main gate in good condition. There are many stone cut water cisterns on the fort. Two cannons are now moved to the temple at the base of the fort. The view from the summit is pleasing with rice-fields and dense pockets of the jungle around.

Night halt

The night halt can either be made in the Govt. school in the village or in the Devi temple.

18°25′27″N 73°02′29″E / 18.4241°N 73.0413°E / 18.4241; 73.0413

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Maritime Mumbai Museum Society. Gateways To The Sea: Historic Ports and Docks of Mumbai Region. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. p. 333. ISBN 978-81-19936-40-3.
  2. ^ Society, Bombay Natural History (1895). The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. Bombay Natural History Society. p. 95.