Ambagad Fort is medieval Indian fortress that is located near Tumsar in the district of Bhandara in the state of Maharashtra. The Ambagad Fort is 300 ft (91m) above sea level. The medieval period fort at Ambagad is situated almost 13 km away from Tumsar. At present the fortification is maintained by the Government of India and is being developed as a tourist destination.
History of Ambagad Fort
Ambagad Fort, one of the historic sites of the destination, was believed to be constructed around 1700AD by Raja Khan Pathan, the Subhedar of Bakht Buland Shah. Bakht Buland Shah was the ruler of Devgarh and one of the tribal kings belonging to Gond tribe. The fort has witnessed many wars after which it came under the possession of Raja Raghuji Bhonsle, a king of Nagpur, who later used it as prison for slaves. Later, the fort was won by the British East India Company, who ruled it until India got independence.
It is believed that when the prisoners were sent to the fort, they were forced to drink the water of the inner well, which is contaminated by poison. A prisoner named Kadu Patel of Mohali died in the premises of the fort, which revealed that the water of the well is poisonous. Kadu Patel was imprisoned for commencing the crime related to sorcery, and after his death, he was worshipped by the natives of the region, especially "Koshtis". The main entrance of the fort still stands in the eastward direction while other parts of the building remain in ruins. Tourists can also witness another tank located outside the fort, which acts as a prime source for fulfilling water requirements of the villagers.
Places to Visit on the Ambagad Fort
Presently all the water bodies make for good outing spots. There are two such dams near the fort which attract the tourists, namely:
•Bagheda Dam: Bagheda Dam was developed by as a feature of watering system ventures by Government of Maharashtra in the year 1974. The dam is an Earth fill Dam. The Length of dam is 1920 m; while the Height of the dam above most minimal establishment is 14.9 m. Dam has a catchment zone of 2.325 Thousand hectors. Bagheda Lake is additionally a prominent Tourist fascination for its picturesque magnificence.
•Karli Dam: Karli Dam was developed as a component of watering system ventures by Government of Maharashtra. The dam is an Earth fill Dam .The Length of dam is 301 m, while the Height of the dam above least establishment is 23.26 m.
How to Reach Ambagad Fort
Taxies are always available. State government public transport buses ply between Bhandara and other cities in the state. Tourist bus services at regular intervals are also available. Bhandara is connected by rail, with stations at Bhandara Road and Tumsar Road. It is connected by rail from Nagpur too. The nearest airport is at Nagpur which is 60 km.
