Mandangad Fort

Maharashtra, India

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Mandangad Fort in Maharashtra is an ancient hill fort located about 2 km from the town of Mandangad in Ratnagiri district. It is believed to have been built by King Bhoj of the Shilahara dynasty in the 12th century to protect the important trade route through the Savitri River. The fort has three main sections: Mandangad proper to the south, Parkot in the center, and Jamba in the north, all offering strategic defense points.

It features a prominent 400-year-old cannon, a Ganapati temple, and a large water tank named Thorla Talav. The fort was historically significant, having changed hands between rulers like the Adil Shah, Maratha leader Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Siddhis, Angre, and eventually the British.

The structure is made from laterite stone with thick ramparts and bastions, and it offers panoramic views including the Savitri River, nearby Raigad Fort, and Varandha Pass. The fort remains a notable historical and architectural site with ruins that reflect its strategic and cultural importance through centuries.