Tankai Fort

Maharashtra, India

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Tankai Fort, located in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, India, is an ancient hill fort part of the Satmala Range. It stands about 900 feet above the plain and 3,200 feet above sea level.

The fort was built in the 12th century by the Yadava dynasty of Devgiri and later came under Mughal control in the 17th century under Emperor Shah Jahan’s general Khan Khanan. It was also governed by the Nizam and the Marathas before the British captured it peacefully in 1818. The fort, along with the adjacent Ankai Fort, forms one of the strongest hill fortifications in the region, historically guarding the important Surat-Aurangabad trade route.

Today, the fort lies in ruins, featuring remnants of stone structures, water tanks carved in rock, and a ruined Shiva temple from the Yadava era. From the fort's plateau, views extend over Manmad city and surrounding landmarks, reflecting its strategic significance. The fort has a rich history intertwined with local legends and ancient Hindu and Jain caves nearby, marking its cultural and historical importance.