Ashti, Beed
Town in Maharashtra, India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ashti is a city in Beed subdivision of Beed district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.[1] Ashti (constituency number 231) is one of the six Vidhan Sabha constituencies located in Beed district. It covers the entire Ashti and Patoda tehsils and part of the Shirur tehsil of this district.
Ashti | |
|---|---|
Town | |
  Ashti Location in Maharashtra, India | |
| Coordinates: 18.8054151°N 75.1727902°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Beed |
| Demonym | Ashtikar |
| Languages | |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 414203 |
| Telephone code | 02441 |
| Vehicle registration | MH-23 / 44 |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Ashti |
History
Morala Fort (Marathi: मोराळा किल्ला) is a historical fort located in Morala, Beed district, Maharashtra, India.[2]
Location
Description
Morala Fort is considered a local landmark and point of historical interest. Modern travel platforms describe it as a tourist destination with an average visitor rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.[4]
Dharmaji Prataprao
Dharmaji Prataprao (also known as Dharmaji Prataprao Garje) was a local leader from Beed district in Maharashtra, India, who is claimed to have led what some consider one of the first uprisings against the British in that region.[5]
Early life and background
He belonged to the Vanjari, and was based in the Hatola village in Ashti taluka, Beed district. His family is said to have held a local stronghold (garh) in that village. The first references to his family’s service are tied to historical associations with the Maratha empire.[6]
Uprising against oppression
During the early 19th century, under the rule of the Nizam and dealing with oppressive agrarian demands, Dharmaji Prataprao refused to pay certain taxes (ṣhetsārā or land revenue) demanded under the combined pressure of the Nizam’s local agents aligned with British influence. He organized a resistance, trained youth in marksmanship, gathered weapons, and fortified his defensive position.[7]
On 11 July 1818, it is claimed British forces under Mortza Yarjungu [or “Murtza Yarjange” etc.] and Lieutenant Sutherland advanced toward Beed to suppress the uprising. Dharmaji and his followers resisted from the fort in Hatola. The British laid siege; Dharmaji’s younger brother was among those taken captive. After prolonged conflict, the defenders left the fort and fled.[8]
Legacy of Morala Fort
Although the uprising was ultimately quelled, Dharmaji’s uprising is remembered locally as an early spark of resistance in the Beed region. His bravery is sometimes cited by historians and local tradition as among earliest acts of defiance against colonial or semi-colonial rule in that area. There are calls in Beed for more recognition, memorials, and historical documentation of his role.[9]