Manikgad

19°40′30.6″N 79°07′31.5″E / 19.675167°N 79.125417°E / 19.675167; 79.125417TypeHill fortHeight507 MTRSSite informationOwnerGovernment of IndiaControlled by Maratha Confederacy (1739-1818)
 United Kingdom

• East India Company (1818-1857)
• British Raj (1857-1947)

Open to
the publicYesConditionRuinsSite historyBuilt byNaga king-GahiluMaterialsStone

Manikgad / (also called Gadchandur) (Marathi: माणिकगड / गडचांदूर) is an ancient fort in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. It is a hill fort 507 metres above sea level built by the Naga kings in 9 CE.^[1] The fort is in ruins and is frequented by wild animals that live in the vicinity, such as panthers and boars. Several monuments of historical importance are nearby.^[2]

History

Manikgad was built by the last Mana Naga King - Gahilu. The Mana Nagas settled in this area around 9 CE. Initially, the fort was named Manikagad after the patron deity of the Mana Nagas - Manikadevi - but later on this was shortened to Manikgad.

Local legend holds that the fort was built by a Gond king named Mankyal (hence the name Manikgad). However, the lintel of the entrance gate has a Naga image carved in relief and not the Gond emblem of a lion and an elephant. So this legend is likely not true.^[2]

Features

The fort was built of large black stones and was a formidable defense in its time. Rampart walls of the fort enclose a valley that has ruins of old buildings and store-houses. Outlines of apartments are visible against the rampart walls. The southern bastion, along with its supporting wall, collapsed.

In the valley below lies a cannon that likely was mounted on that bastion. Unlike a cast-iron cannon, this cannon is made of several iron straps welded together. The gateway of the fort is intact.^[2]

The Queen's palace is situated near a small dam with steps and a few rooms for bathing. Two wooden pagodas were constructed by the Forest Department. The fort area is filled with shrubs and trees.^[3]

Gallery

• 
  A Cannon
• 
  The Second gate
• 
  The Queens palace
• 
  The Lake
• 
  A Bastion
• 
  The Observation tower

References

Ahmednagar districtAkola districtAmravati districtAurangabad districtChandrapur districtDhule districtKolhapur districtLatur districtMumbai City districtMumbai Suburban districtNagpur districtNanded districtNashik districtOsmanabad districtPalghar districtPune districtRaigad districtRatnagiri districtSatara districtSindhudurg districtThane districtJalna district