Kandhar Fort

Bahaddarpura, Maharashtra, India

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Kandhar Fort (also called Kandhar Khilla) is a historic ground-level fort located in Kandhar town in Nanded district of Maharashtra, India, and it is often specifically associated with the “Bhuikot” portion of the fort in the nearby village of Bahaddarpura (Bahadarpura), about 3 km from Kandhar on Khilla Road.

The fort’s construction is traditionally attributed to the Rashtrakuta king Krishna III (939–967 CE), who declared himself Kandharpuradhi Swar, and it was later occupied by several dynasties including the Yadavas, Delhi Sultanate, Bahmani Sultanate, Nizam Shahis of Ahmadnagar, and the Nizam of Hyderabad, passing through many hands over centuries.

The present imposing structure, with its 12-meter-high walls and 18 watchtowers, was substantially rebuilt in the 14th century by the Bahmani sultans, although the area had been the capital or key seat of the Rashtrakuta dynasty earlier. The fort is surrounded by a wide moat that is often filled with water, adding a strong defensive layer, and it is described as being in good condition compared to many other Maratha ground forts, making it accessible and open to visitors.