Visapur
Built by the first Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath between 1713 and 1720, Visapur fort, also known as the Visapoor fort is a hill fort. It is located in the Pune district of Maharashtra. It has an elevation of 1084 meters above the sea level. It is built on the same plateau as its twin fort, the Lohagad.
In size and dimension, Visapur fort is larger than Lohagad which is not far off from it. Stone carvings of Hanuman or Maruti, which probably were the presiding deity of Visapur can still be found in many corners of this bombed and ruined fort. There is of course the usual fortification associated with such strongholds. But the Visapur fort also had structures that were used as administrative offices for the Peshwas and a palace for the Peshwa and his family. Much after the fort was taken over by the British. An antiquated ten feet long Victorian era cast iron gun was discovered near the northern wall of the fort.
In 1818, the British were fully convinced that the Maratha seat of power was in Lohagad. And so, they decided to capture it. However, their strategy included capturing the Visapur first and then launching their attack on Lohagad from the ramparts of the captured Visapur fort. Accordingly, a detachment of 380 European and 800 native soldiers along with artillery and two more British battalions attacked Visapur on March 4th 1818. Incessant cannon fire totally destroyed both the gateways of the fort and it was soon captured. Setting their cannons on the outer walls of the captured Visapur fort, the British troop bombarded Lohagad till the Marathas were forced to flee.
You can certainly visit the Visapur fort on any weekend. True, there is not much to see inside the fort anymore. But you can still be a part of Indian history. The panoramic view from the top is amazing too.
How to reach: Driving is always an option to the fort. But you have to park the car at the base. It’s a two and a half hour trek from there. You can take a train too. Trains leave Pune and Mumbai frequently. You must hire an auto-rickshaw from the Malawli railway station.
You won’t find any hotels or resorts close to the Visapur fort. There are no cottages around the fort too. The best option would be to visit from Pune or Mumbai, and get back. Or, you can camp inside the fort.
