Information on Ramshej Fort (Nashik, Maharashtra) - History & Architecture

Ramshej Fort is a magnificent hill fortress in Nashik. It is located in Aashewadi Village, Nashik-Peth road, Nashik District of Maharashtra State in India.

Ramshej Fort Architecture

Ramshej Fort is well built in the western tip of a height citadel mount standing alone in a vast plain lands. This fort is fully made of large and small granite stone blocks. The top of the hill plain land is fortified with thick walls. These walls were very strong that it with stranded nearly 10 years of war on this fort. These walls occupy the entire bordering edges of cliff areas of this hill. These walls have many turrets areas and artillery gaps. It does have the look out gaps all around this large and high walls. It has got a very high and huge main gate. This gate was so strong and lasted for many centuries. It doesn't have steep cliffs, instead it had fine slopes on this hills from where the fort walls were constructed. Its height was the natural moat. It does have many olden small and large cannons spread across this fort areas. This indicates it was once majorly fought a great war. Inside there are very fine complexes built here. Few of them were specially meant for garrison purpose and the others were used a living areas. These structures are built up to two stories and have large pillar support on these structures. There are many caves carved on monolith stone is found here. These were used by many saints in the ancient times for peaceful meditation. It does have few secret tunnels, which can be accessed with the help of maps only. Currently these passages are blocked to visitors for safety measures. There is a traditional Hindu temple built here, this is famously known as the Ramlalla Temple and is of vast importance for the Hindus. There are manmade lakes found here which is filled in the monsoon rains and lasts till next summer. This was the main source of water to this fort. In the rainy season its caves are filled with waters and look awesome.

Ramshej Fort History

Ramshej Fort attained its name from the Lord Ram. In the medieval times this fort was locally called as the Sri Rama Fort. This hill is known in the Vedic times. Many records of the ancient manuscripts have mentioned the stay of Lord Rama on the top of this hill, during he left for Vanvas from his Kingdom. A ram temple is also found here dedicated to Lord Rama. This fort is well known in the Marat Wad history for its long time war with the Mughals. Under the rule of Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, this fort was attacked by the Mughals and were defeated over continues 6 years time span. From 10000 to 1 lakhs army personal were deployed here. The fort which stood as a natural defense and it had no easy access point made the Mughal to withdraw each and every time from the base village itself. It was later when the new castellan named Suryaji Jedhe was given bribe and made it in favor of the Mughal army. It took nearly six and half years to enter this fort by the Mughal. This army was led by the Mughal Emperor named Aurangzeb in the 17th century AD After the death of Shivaji Maharaj; this fort also lost its importance.

Ramshej Fort Tourism Significance

Ramshej Fort is a medium grade fort and is accessible by all age of peoples. This fortress is a protected ancient monument and a great heritage site in Maharashtra. It is well maintained as a tourist spot by its local administration and by the tourism department.