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Forts of Maharashtra

THIS PORTAL IS BEST VIEWED ON COMPUTER DEVICES!

 

This geospatial portal about the Forts of Maharashtra is designed to provide an informative and engaging experience for data and history enthusiasts. Digital documentation is a difficult task consisting of both primary and secondary research. Volunteers from Jnana Prabodhini Foundation’s Analytics team used a range of methods and tools to curate this geospatial portal focusing on 632 fortified structures in the state of Maharashtra in Western India. 

 

Our references include:

  • M.S. Naravane’s Forts of Maharashtra (1996)

  • Archeological Survey of India (ASI)’s list of Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites: State-wise and Circle-wise (March, 2023)

  • अंतिम-प्राथमिक अधिसूचना निर्गमित झालेल्या ३८६ राज्य संरक्षित स्मारकांची यादी, पुरातत्त्व व वस्तुसंग्रहालये संचालनालय, महाराष्ट्र शासन

  • महाराष्ट्र राज्य किल्ले योजना Draft Report (2021)

  • indianculture.gov.in

  • durgbharari.in

  • trekshitiz.com

  • freemaptools.com

  • Google Maps

 

Disclaimer - Whereas JPF Analytics strives to uphold the highest standards of rigor, inaccuracies in both the source material and data analysis pipeline may be potential sources of error. We are open to your feedback about corrections or any other aspects of this geospatial portal. Please reach out to us at: survey@jnanaprabodinifoundation.org

Forts by Geographical Type

 

Definitions of forts vary across sources, encompassing a wide range of fortified structures and nomenclatures such as durg (दुर्ग), gaḍ (गड), killa (किल्ला), gaḍhi (गढी), sarāī (सराय), kot, wāḍā, etc. This map shows various types of fortified structures in Maharashtra according a widely-adopted geographical taxonomy that describes:

  • Mountain forts (N = 285): Maharashtra is renowned for its imposing mountain and hill forts scattered across the majestic Sahyadris. 

  • Coastal forts (N  = 98): Western India’s Konkan coastline is dotted with a high concentration of coastal and island forts.

  • Ground forts (N  = 64): These land forts are spread across the vast Deccan plateau of peninsular India. 

  • Fortresses (N  = 185): These are smaller fortified structures that may not meet all the requirements to be classified as actual “forts”.

Forts by Military Significance

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Beyond their geographical features, forts can be categorized according to their size, strength, and capabilities. Presented here is a practical classification of forts as suggested by Naravane (1996), focusing on their historical military and administrative significance:

  • Main forts (N  = 45): These are large forts characterized by:

    • Garrison of more than 500 troops

    • Well provisioned with weapons and supplies for a long siege

    • Capable of mounting both defensive and offensive sorties

  • Secondary forts (N  = 49): These are large or medium-sized forts characterized by:

    • Garrison of more than 200 troops

    • Well provisioned with weapons and supplies for a siege of moderate duration

    • Capable of mounting defensive sorties

  • Fortified posts (N  = 538): These are small forts characterized by:

    • Garrison of less than 200 troops

    • Not capable of withstanding a siege of any significant duration

    • Primarily for reconnaissance, patrolling, and communications

Forts by District
 

This map shows the distribution of various types of fortified structures across Maharashtra. Most structures are located in the western part of the state.

Renowned for their scenic trekking and hiking opportunities, Maharashtra's forts play an important role in the state’s adventure tourism sector. They are highlighted on this map, categorized based on the degree of trekking difficulty they offer:

  • Easy forts (N  = 429)

  • Medium forts (N  = 147)

  • Hard forts (N  = 56)

Forts by Protection Status

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Numerous forts carry substantial cultural, historical, and archaeological importance, earning them classification and safeguarding from diverse governmental bodies. This map showcases them, organized according to the extent of government protection they receive:

  • Classified and protected by the Archeological Survey of India (N  = 49)

  • Classified and protected by the Government of Maharashtra (N  = 62)

  • Unclassified and unprotected fortified structures (N  = 521): It is possible that some of these forts may be classified and offered some degree of protection by the Government of Maharashtra’s Revenue and Forest departments.

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