The Watchful Guardian

What is unique to Narayangad is the fact that it is surrounded by gigantic cliffs,that acted as the main defence of the fort. Situated in Narayangaon,the fort is a classic example of what one can term as a watch tower fort. It has in fact been an important one in the cluster of forts in the Junnar region that have served the purpose of being an integral cog in the days of the Maratha empire. “Narayangad was mainly a fort that served as a vital fortification in that region. It was also instrumental in serving as a checkpoint on the Junnar-Paithan route,which was an important trade route,” says Vijay Khot,a local guide from the nearby Gadachiwadi village,which is located at the base of the fort.

Interestingly the fort that has its origins in the Satvahana period is another classic example of how forts in Maharashtra have fallen into a state of neglect and disarray. Elaborating more with the local folklore,Khot says that the fall of the empire to the Raj signaled the death knell for the rich architectural heritage of the Maratha empire. “A reason as to why we see the forts in Maharashtra that have falling ramparts,broken walls and mouldy water tanks is because when the Raj overtook the Maratha empire they very categorically destroyed the defences on these forts,so that they couldn’t regroup and recapture them. And since most of the forts here in Maharashtra mostly belong to the category of hill forts or jungle forts that have natural defences,the erstwhile Raj believed that it would be in the best interest of the Raj to have them demolished rather than suffer an uprising or backlash by the Marathas,” he adds.

The fort also houses small water ponds,like the Narayan Take and the Chambar Take. The Hastamata temple and the Mukaai temple complete the setting for the fort which was more of a barebones watchtower for the Marathas. The Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT) project,that is located 10 kms away has in the recent times popularised the fort amongst trekkers. Built in the North-South direction the fort has its main entrance on the western side. Sanjay Khadge,another localite says that the fort was categorically dismantled in 1820. He however does mention that the walls and bastions however are in good shape. “The fort was again another one of the many forts in the state that had natural defences. And knowing well the fighting spirit of the Marathas it was but obvious that even such forts would eventually play important roles for the British empire to firmly root themselves in India. In fact an important reason as to why forts in other parts of the country still remain in good shape is because unlike the Marathas they gave up their domains easily to prevent the forts from being destroyed by the British. The Marathas on the other hand were known to fight tooth and nail,be it the Mughals,or the British,and that was a reason why even forts like Narayangad were not spared from the destruction,” he says.