Ghosalegad Fort is located 8 km south of the Roha town on Roha-Bhalgaon-Murud road. This fort is in form of a narrow strip 20mt in width. This fort has a small hill with a narrow spur guarded by fortification. This fort served to keep watch on the enemy and the trade route from

Maval Maval (also known as Andhar Maval) is a tehsil in a subdivision of the same name, in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India. Description The word Maval is derived from a Marathi word ''Maval'', meaning the direction in which the sun sets. Th ...

to the sea ports around

History

It is not known about who built this fort. In the 16th century, this fort was under the control of Adilshah of

Bijapur Bijapur (officially Vijayapura) is the district headquarters of Bijapur district of the Karnataka state of India. It is also the headquarters for Bijapur Taluk. Bijapur city is well known for its historical monuments of architectural importa ...

. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj won this fort in 1648. This fort was encircled by troops of Siddhi of Janjira when Afzalkhan had tried to kill Chatrapati Shivaji Mahraj at Pratapgad, However, Shivaji Maharaj killed

Afzalkhan Afzal Khan (died 20 November 1659) was a general of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur Sultanate of in Deccan India. He played an important role in the southern expansion of the Bijapur Sultanate by subjugating the Nayaka chiefs who had taken ...

and knowing this

Siddhi In Indian religions, (Sanskrit: '; fulfillment, accomplishment) are material, paranormal, supernatural, or otherwise magical powers, abilities, and attainments that are the products of Yoga, yogic advancement through sādhanās such as medit ...

also returned with the troops to Janjira. At times this fort was in control of Siddhi, Angre and Maratha rule. Finally, Col. Prother captured this fort in 1818.

Places to see

The long fortification around the narrow strip of Machi is in good condition. There are caves and rock-cut water cisterns around the Balekilla hill. There is an escape gate which connects the narrow wall of fortification. There are two idols of Sharabh laying near the main gate. The toilet block on the fortification is also seen. There is cannon on the western side of balekilla.

How to reach

There are regular state transport buses and private vehicles which run between Roha and Ghosale. The path from the temple goes straight to the main entrance of the fort. The trek route is of 15 minutes. There is a path that goes around the baklekilla but is very narrow and slippery. There is no place for a night halt on the fort.

Gallery

File:Ghosale2.jpg, Cannon on the fort File:Ghosale3.jpg, Escape gate File:Ghosale4.jpg, Rock cut water cistern File:Ghosale5.jpg, Cave on the fort File:Ghosale7.jpg, Fort wall

References

{{Forts in India Forts in Raigad district Buildings and structures of the Maratha Empire Monuments of National Importance in Maharashtra