Naldurg Fort
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| Naldurg Fort | |
|---|---|
| Naldurg, tuljapur taluka Osmanabad, Maharashtra, By Road 35 km from Tuljapur, 50 km from Osmanabad, 50 km from Solapur. | |
 Main entrance of the Naldurg Fort | |
| Site information | |
| Owner |  Government of India |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Location | |
  Naldurg Fort Naldurg Fort in Maharashtra | |
| Coordinates | 17°49′N 76°18′E / 17.82°N 76.3°E |
Naldurg Fort is a historic fort in Naldurg town of Dharashiv district in Maharashtra state of India. Naldurg Fort is named after Nalraja who built the fort in medieval architectural style. The unique feature of the fort is that it encloses a knoll of basalt rock which juts out into the valley of the small Bori River and a long fortification wall with many bastions. The Naldurg fort is one of the important ground forts in the Marathwada region.
Legends say that the fort was established by a King Nala, however It is likely that it was built during the Western Chalukya era.[1] Over the centuries, it passed through the hands of the Bahmani Sultanate, the Adil Shahi dynasty, and the Mughals, before becoming part of the Nizam of Hyderabad's domain. It was a site of both governance and culture, famously hosting the marriage of Chand Bibi and serving as the burial site of notable figures like Nawab Amir Nawazul Mulk Bahadur.
It exemplifies medieval architectural style, enclosing a basalt knoll jutting into the valley of the river Bori. The fort is fortified on three sides with bastions built from sturdy basalt, capable of supporting heavy guns.[2] Its circumference spans about a mile and a half, with ruined walls and a wide road leading to the center. Notable bastions within include Upli Buruj, Paranda Buruj, Nagar Buruj, Sangram Buruj, Bands Buruj, and Poone Buruj. Despite the ruins, remnants like Barood Kotha, Baradari, Ambarkhana, Rangaan Mahal, and Jali hint at past grandeur. The fort features two tanks, with notable cannons including the "Hathi Toph" and "Magar Toph." Key entrances include the Hathi Darwaza and Hurmukh Darwaza. A notable structure linking the fort and Ranmandala is the dam across the Bori river, with the "Pani Mahal" constructed within. This was built during Ibrahim Adil Shah II's reign in 1613.[3][4][5][6]
