Fort Fancies

Joshi shares that he uses methods like detailed global positioning system to map the fort and takes the help of Google Earth to construct a 3D model of the same. He visits the fort to study the remains and document archeological interpretations,all of which he then share in his books.

But what he really enjoys being credited to him is the discovery of five forts that had very little historical documentation. “I discovered Panhagarh ka killa,Mohangarh,Manikdurga,Kasardurga and Navate fort in Ratnagiri district. Even the locals there did not know where the forts were,or that these forts existed at all,” says Joshi.

The lack of expertise in preserving forts and other places of archeological importance disappoints him bitterly. “Preservation is important,but it is a disaster if done in the incorrect way. Those who are involved in such preservation programmes need to be educated about the history of the place they work on. For example,mounds which may seem like insignificant heaps of dust or mud collected over thousands of years to a lay man,is very important for an archeologist. You can find out so much about the lifestyle of the people living in the fort by studying and excavating such heaps,” says Joshi,lamenting about mounds being removed to make roads through forts in various districts in Maharashtra.

Despite his love for forts,Joshi says he wasn’t always sure of becoming an archeological researcher. Another subject jostled for a lot of his attention too – Chemistry. So for graduation,he opted for a BSc in Chemisry. Around the time he joined Bharat Itihas Samshodak Mandal,where he read up about the history of forts in Maharashtra. Then Joshi decided to pursue a masters degree from Deccan College in Archeology. With the successful completion of his masters degree,he now works at the college on dating techniques of bones.

“The history of a fort tells you which wars were fought there but archeology tells you how to study the remains and procure information about the era which you may not find in historical records. From bits of pottery to coins that have been buried in the earth for centuries,these artifacts can unleash an ocean of information about the fort and the era,” he advocates.