Kharda Fort

Some old forts hold their own stories while some are considered monuments. The Agra Fort in Uttar Pradesh was captured by the Mughals in 1526 from whence the legendary koh-i-Noor diamond was seized. But others are as blank as meadows suitable only for the grazing cattle. Your first impression about the Kharda Fort, situated near Ahmednagar in Maharashtra may mimic such meadows. But go back a few hundred years, and this fort will come agog with neighing of war horses and trumpeting of elephants as armies of the Nizam of Hyderabad clashed here with those of the Marathas under the Peshwa of Pune. That was 1795. For the Marathas, it was the last battle, and a battle of honor. They successfully defeated the Nizam, eliminating his colossal army one by one.

Maratha Sardars from far away regions such as Nagpur and Mudhol participated in the war with full force on behalf of the Marathas. Sultanraje Nimbalker of the local Kharda region raised a formidable infantry of Dagars for taking part in the war. Ably led by Sonusingh Bias, the fort-keeper of Dharur, these brave soldiers gave their lives in annihilating the Nizam’s Afghan infantry. No wonder the vanquished Nizam had to fork out a neat sum of Rs. 29 Lakhs as compensation when the treaty was eventually signed.

Come to the Kharda Fort on a weekend. You will love it. Look at the underground gymnasium, cellar and the deep well. Some people visit this fort for its historical sites. Others do so because of the trekking opportunities. Yes, a lot of tourists like to trek to the Kharda fort.

How to reach: It depends on where you are traveling from. It is wise to take the train if you are coming from Mumbai or other faraway places. Get down at Barsi Town railway station and take an auto rickshaw from there. There are buses from Pune and Osmanabad as well that can take you here.

Would you be interested to search for hotels in Kharda fort or home stays in Kharda fort? Bad luck! There are no decent places to live here. Most people stay at Osmanabad or Pune.