Information on Ahmednagar Fort (Ahmednagar, Maharashtra) - History & Architecture

Ahmednagar Fort is a beautiful land fortress built in the 16th century AD by the Nijam Shahi Realm. This fort has witnessed many medieval, colonial and struggle of Indian independence history from the past 500 years. It is located in the largest district of Maharashtra. Its address is Cantonment Area, Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra State in western parts of India.

Ahmednagar Fort Architecture

Ahmednagar Fort is built by Islamic ruler in the Indian traditional style of architect. This fortress is built in the oval design. The main idea of this fort is as defensive fort for garrison purposes. It is totally a rock fort with unique craftsmanship. The fortress ramparts or of 25-30 meters in height built with huge stone blocks. It is fenced walls occupies a distance of 2 Km in circumference area. There are many stone art work found on their walls. These are the carving of elephants and lions to show its strength. This fort walls have 24 cylindrical bastions built throughout the ramparts. These bastions give its ramparts a strong hold still now. These huge ramparts have wide trenches of 3-4 meter deep and with a 30 meter width. These trenches were always filled with water. There are two main gates on these trenches. This gateway has to be entered from a rope laden bridge. At the initial there were complexes built in mud blocks and clay bricks. These small complexes are still seen here. It was in the later times, that the large complexes were built stronger here. Inside this fortress there are many granaries, store room, magazine rooms and living rooms. The entire fortress has beautiful stone carving works; these are very remarkable to see in floral designs. This fortress had large cannon named the Malik I Maidain designed by Ramikhan Dakhin. It is known to be the mega canon of its time in that province. There are two direct placements of these major canons on the main ramparts. There are also many other small cannon found here. This fort walls had small holes and gaps made for firing purpose with guns and other artilleries. One can find many vigil places here. There are many watch towers built on the top portions of this fort areas. Few of such watch towers rose from the ground with wooden made structure. There are also small and large gaps built in the ramparts to look out for watch purposes. Altogether it is one of the great stone marvels found in the Maharashtra State.

Ahmednagar Fort History

Ahmednagar Fort is built by Malik Shah Ahmed as a mud fort in the initial times. The actual strong stone fort was made by Hussain Nizam Shah in the year 1562 AD and completed its total work on 1596 AD. This fort was under the control of Nizam Shahi dynasty from the year 1562 Ad to 1600 AD. This went to the hand of the Mughals in the second battle fought here. The Mughal Empire took possession of this fort from 1600 AD to 1759 AD. This Mughal Empire were later defeated in the Maratha war and the Marathas to over this fort in their province and ruled till 1803 AD. This fort also went in to the British East India Company and Lord Wellesley took over this fort in the year 1803 AD. After the 1850's the India was protesting against the British to leave India and the freedom struggle started. This was the prison house in the prior of independence India. The well known freedom struggle prisoners were PC Gosh and Nerandhra Dev.

Ahmednagar Fort Tourism Importance

Ahmednagar Fort is an historical monument and heritage site in Maharashtra. This fort is well maintained by the tourism department. This is the only place to see a massive stone masonry. While in Maharashtra, this is a must visit fort, a well maintained even today by the tourism department, it carried huge importance from both historical as well as architectural point of view. The massive architecture that has witness the past glorious part of India is quite amazing to know about and to witness the same even after years since British left India, it gives quite an amazing feeling to every individual. It is truly wonderful and exciting to explore the colossal appeal of the fort.