Avchitgad

Raigad, Maharashtra, India

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Avchitgad Fort is a hill fort located near the village of Medha in Roha Taluka, Raigad district, Maharashtra, situated at around 1,000 feet in the Sahyadri mountain range.

It was originally built by the Shilahara dynasty and later came under control of the Nizam of Ahmednagar. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is believed to have reconstructed the fort hurriedly, which is why it is called "Avchit" (meaning hurry) fort. The fort features four entrance gates, two main bastions, a rock-cut carving of a horse near the entrance, and water tanks.

It played a strategic role during the Maratha era in monitoring routes and defending against external threats. The British took control of Avchitgad during the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818. The fort is accessible by easy to moderate trekking routes from nearby villages such as Medha and Pingalsai, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts.