On A Historic Sojourn: Have You Been To This Fort Just Six Hours Away From Mumbai?

Used by the British Raj as a prison, the Ahmednagar Fort holds great historical importance and is a must-visit for lovers of history, adventure buffs, and trekkers. Here's why. 

Located near the Bhingar river of Ahmednagar, this fort was built by one of the Nizams known by the name of Ahmad (the city derived its name from him) in 1427. It was the headquarters of the Ahmednagar Sultanate, and was mainly built to defend Ahmednagar against invaders. The construction of it was fairly simple, the walls were slathered with mud, but major fortification began post-1559.

However, in 1803, the Ahmednagar Fort was taken over by the British, who used it as a prison. This was where Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Abul Kalam Azad and Sardar Vallab Bhai Patel were imprisoned along with more nine members of the Indian National Congress, after they passed the Quit India Resolution. In case you've read it, Pt. Nehru wrote his Discovery Of India while he was a prisoner in the fort. 

While you climb the fort, you will cut through tricky passages (if you're a beginner, take extra care) and high parapets. The old entrance gates and fortified walls are worth seeing, and if you're a photographer, adding this fort to your list might be a good idea. The summit provides a great panoramic and is great for bird-watching enthusiasts. And if you're looking for some tranquility, just choose your corner, and hold on to your novel. 

Now if all the history and beauty has tempted you enough to visit the fort, here's how you do it. If you choose to drive out there, the closest to the fort is the city of Ahmednagar. The nearest airports are Pune and Mumbai. And there are trains from Mumbai to reach Ahmednagar too.

The fort does not have any food facilities inside it. But there are stalls outside selling snacks and condiments like vada pav, misal pav (Ahmednagar has its own version) and nimbu pani. There's also buttermilk that's available. Fill up a bottle and carry it with you while hiking up to the fort for hydration. Bookmark this for your next weekend plan!

The best time to visit is after the scorching summers. Go there during the month of July, or winters is also a great time. Also, the fort charges no entry to its visitors and is open for all seven days of the week. Keep in mind that it shuts after 6 PM.