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Kothaligad
Kothaligad
Kothaligad
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Kothaligad (also called Kotligad/ Kothligad/Peth) is a small fort (3100 ft) situated to the east of Karjat near Karjat-Murbad Road in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a famous trek in the Karjat area, because of its small height and easy climbing. It is also known as the Fort of Peth because of its vicinity to Peth village at its base.

Key Information

How to Reach -

Nearest station is Karjat from there

Karjat railway station - Karjat bus depot - catch bus for Ambivali village ( bus name - solangaon Or Jamrug) - reach the top

Also private vehicle are also available (auto Or tum tum) with around 400-600 rupees

Features

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There is a small temple and large cave at the base and a chimney like tunnel to the top of the fort. This pinnacle is carved from inside forming a staircase reaching the top. There is a tank of water (rock cut water cistern) at some distance from the cave and another one at the top of the fort.[1] The stone is a single black expanse reaching till the Peth village standing on the fertile soil with abundant natural resources for water and farming.

History

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The cave and the temple carvings date back to the 13th century. Not much is known about the history until the 18th century. In 1684 Aurangjeb sent Abdul Kadir and Alai Biradkar to capture this fort. After a small skirmish, the fort was captured by Abdul Kadir. Aurangjeb honoured Abdul Kadir and renamed this fort as Miftah-ul-Fateh (Key to success). Many attempts were made later to win this fort by the Maratha Army, but they were not successful. In 1716, this cave was captured by the British. On 2 November 1817, it was recaptured by the Marathas under the leadership of Bapurao who was general of Bajirao Peshwa. The fort was recaptured by the British on 30 December 1817, by Captain Brooks. The British had the fort till 1862 as an outpost for vigilance on the surrounding valley and the hills all around it.

The locals say that this is not actually a fort but a sort of lighthouse from where the directions were given to know the advancements of the enemy. In fact, it can be called a watch tower to keep a vigil on the Mawal area in the greater province of the Maratha.

[edit]
  • The steep steps of the chimney-like top of the fort are intact and are used by trekkers today.
    The steep steps of the chimney-like top of the fort are intact and are used by trekkers today.
  • Cannons of Kothaligad fort
    Cannons of Kothaligad fort
  • Kothaligad
    Kothaligad
  • Carvings on the walls of Kothaligad fort
    Carvings on the walls of Kothaligad fort
  • Main Entrance, Kothaligad Fort
    Main Entrance, Kothaligad Fort
  • Caves Near the Kothaligad Fort
    Caves Near the Kothaligad Fort
  • The distinctive chimney-like feature of Kotligad fort
    The distinctive chimney-like feature of Kotligad fort
  • Sculpture on the Pillars
    Sculpture on the Pillars

See also

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kothaligad

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Kothaligad, also known as Peth Fort, is a small hill fort situated at an elevation of approximately 945 meters (3,100 feet) in the Sahyadri range near in , . The fort features rock-cut caves and temple carvings dating to the 13th century, indicating early medieval construction, though its precise builder remains undocumented in historical records. Primarily serving as a watchtower and ammunition depot for regional powers, it witnessed conflicts in the between Maratha forces and Mughal armies seeking control of the strategic Mawal region. In the early 19th century, it briefly changed hands during Anglo-Maratha engagements, falling under British administration by 1817 before local use until the mid-19th century. Today, its chimney-like pinnacle and intact steep staircases attract trekkers for moderate ascents offering views of the , with remnants including cannons, wall carvings, and nearby caves highlighting its defensive architecture.

Location and Geography

Site Description and Coordinates

Kothaligad, also known as Peth Fort, is a small hill fort located approximately 21 km northeast of near the Karjat-Murbad Road in , . The site lies within the Sahyadri range of the , rising to an elevation of 945 meters (3,100 ft) above . Its geographic coordinates are 18°59′32″N 73°30′45″E. The fort's summit features a prominent tapering, chimney-like pinnacle that dominates the local , providing expansive views of the surrounding forested hills and valleys. The base is accessible from Peth village, situated in a amid the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary region. This isolated, steep-sided hill formation underscores the fort's strategic placement for observation and defense in the rugged terrain.

Terrain and Environmental Context


Kothaligad rises as a prominent pinnacle in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site, reaching an elevation of approximately 945 meters (3,100 feet) above sea level. The terrain consists of steep, rocky slopes formed by basaltic rock typical of the Deccan Trap volcanics underlying the region, creating a rugged landscape with sharp ascents and narrow ridges. From base villages such as Ambivli or Peth, trekkers encounter an elevation gain of about 500 meters over a distance of roughly 11 kilometers round trip, featuring undulating paths that transition to sheer chimney-like climbs at the summit. The surrounding environment is dominated by southern tropical moist forests, where constitutes a key amid a mix of dry and semi-evergreen vegetation in the hilly tracts of . This forest cover supports regional , with the fort's proximity to the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary enhancing ecological connectivity for such as leopards and various bird . Lush greenery and seasonal waterfalls emerge prominently during the (June–September), when annual rainfall exceeds 2,000 millimeters, though the wet, slippery surfaces heighten risks and trekking hazards. Post-monsoon and winter periods (October–May) reveal sparser vegetation and drier conditions, facilitating easier access but exposing the terrain's vulnerability to human foot traffic, which can accelerate soil degradation in this ecologically sensitive zone. The strategic historically aided , offering unobstructed vistas of adjacent peaks like Padargad and the plateau, while underscoring the site's integration into the ' dynamic geomorphic processes.

Architecture and Features

Structural Composition

Kothaligad Fort consists primarily of a monolithic rock pinnacle known as the balekilla or Vinchu Kata, carved directly from a single rising to approximately 945 meters above . The pinnacle's distinctive chimney-like form features an internal vertical tunnel with 87 carved stone steps, each 1.5 to 2 feet high, providing access to the summit used historically as a . This rock-cut structure exemplifies 13th-century construction techniques relying on natural rather than extensive , with the tunnel's narrow shape enhancing defensibility. Surrounding the pinnacle are remnants of stone walls forming the fort's perimeter, constructed from local blocks without mortar in a dry-stone technique typical of Sahyadri hill forts. Two main entrances pierce these walls, flanked by sturdy gates designed for controlled access amid the rugged terrain. At the base, natural integrated into the include a large cave and a small temple dedicated to deities such as Lord or Bhairoba, with some interiors featuring rudimentary carvings. Utility elements like water cisterns hewn into the rock support the fort's self-sufficiency, while scattered remnants of cannons indicate later adaptations for storage during the Maratha period. The overall composition prioritizes verticality and integration with the landscape, minimizing built mass in favor of sculpted rock for strategic vantage.

Defensive and Utility Elements

Kothaligad's defensive architecture emphasizes natural fortifications over extensive man-made structures, leveraging its isolated, funnel-shaped pinnacle rising to approximately 620 meters. The steep, spiral rock-cut steps within the chimney-like summit provided a narrow access point, enabling a small contingent to defend against larger forces by restricting entry and offering elevated vantage for monitoring approaches. Historical records of Maratha sieges in 1684–1685 describe attackers employing rope ladders to surmount these heights, highlighting the terrain's role in impeding assaults. Utility elements supported the fort's role as a and ammunition depot, particularly under Maratha control in the . Multiple rock-cut cisterns collect rainwater, with one adjacent to the caves noted for relative reliability, though potability is inconsistent and requires caution. Caves, including the spacious Bhairoba cave featuring a flat floor and carved pillars, offered shelter for troops and storage for provisions or munitions. These features aligned with the fort's strategic function for surveillance and logistics rather than prolonged habitation.

Historical Context

Origins and Early Construction

The origins of Kothaligad, also known as Peth Fort, are not well-documented in historical records, with limited evidence pointing to its establishment during the medieval period in the Deccan region. Stone carvings found in caves and a temple associated with the fort date to century CE, suggesting initial construction or significant architectural activity around that time. These features, including sculpted pillars and wall inscriptions, indicate the fort's early role as a strategic hilltop outpost, likely built by local rulers to oversee the surrounding Mawal region amid the fragmented polities of medieval . Specific attribution to a builder or dynasty remains uncertain, though some accounts propose construction under the Bhoj rulers in the 13th century, a claim lacking corroboration from primary sources. The fort's rudimentary stone and defensive layout align with early hill fort traditions in the Sahyadri range, predating the more elaborate fortifications of later empires. The first recorded historical reference to Kothaligad involves its capture in 1490, implying it was already an established structure by the late under regional powers such as the . Early construction likely focused on essential defensive elements, including sheer rock faces for natural protection and basic cisterns for , adapted to the fort's isolated pinnacle location at approximately 945 meters . Without detailed chronicles, the precise timeline and methods of initial building—such as quarrying local and carving internal stairways—rely on archaeological inference rather than textual evidence, highlighting gaps in the fort's pre-Maratha .

Maratha Era Utilization

During the , Kothaligad primarily functioned as a strategic and ammunition depot, leveraging its elevated funnel-shaped pinnacle for surveillance over the Sahyadri terrain and nearby trade routes. Maratha forces utilized the fort's distinctive rock-cut chimney-like summit—approximately 20 meters high—as a vantage point for sentries to monitor enemy movements, particularly during campaigns against Mughal and later British incursions. The fort's role intensified in the late 17th century amid Maharaj's expansions and subsequent Maratha-Mughal conflicts, with its caves and cisterns adapted for temporary storage of arms and provisions to support guerrilla operations in the region. By the , under administration, it served as a forward outpost in the Karjat-Murbad area, facilitating control over local passes despite intermittent losses to imperial rivals. In the early 19th century, during the Third Anglo-Maratha War, Sardar Bapurao—loyal to Peshwa Baji Rao II—led a successful assault to recapture the fort from British forces on November 2, 1817, briefly restoring Maratha possession before its definitive seizure by the British on December 30, 1817. This episode underscored the fort's diminishing but persistent utility as a defensive in the waning phases of Maratha resistance.

Post-Maratha Decline

Following the Marathas' brief recapture of Kothaligad on November 2, 1817, by Sardar Bapurao under Peshwa Bajirao II during the , British forces under Captain Brooks seized the fort on December 30, 1817, securing permanent control amid the collapsing Maratha Confederacy. The British maintained Kothaligad as a strategic outpost for regional vigilance until 1862, leveraging its elevated position at approximately 945 meters for surveillance over Sahyadri trade routes and surrounding territories. After , with the stabilization of British rule in the Deccan and reduced threats from local insurgencies, the fort lost its military utility and was abandoned, leading to gradual deterioration from natural erosion and lack of maintenance. By the late , structures such as the chimney-like pinnacle, caves, and remnants of defensive walls—originally enhanced during Maratha occupancy—remained intact but unrepaired, transitioning the site from active to neglected ruin. No significant repairs or occupations are recorded during the period post-1862, reflecting the fort's diminished role in an era of centralized colonial administration. In the , under independent India's after , Kothaligad received no formal restoration efforts, preserving its state as a historical amid Raigad district's forested terrain. Today, the fort's post-colonial decline manifests in its use primarily for recreational trekking, with accessible paths and intact features like carved pillars and cannons drawing visitors, though exposing vulnerabilities to vandalism and .

Access and Modern Exploration

Trekking Routes and Logistics

The primary trekking route to Kothaligad Fort begins at Ambivali village in the taluka of , approximately 90 kilometers from and 135 kilometers from . Travelers can reach Ambivali by private vehicle via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway to , followed by local roads, taking about 2.5 to 3 hours from . Alternatively, trains from or stop at or Neral stations, from where state transport buses or shared rickshaws cover the 30-kilometer distance to Ambivali for fares around 40-100 rupees. From Ambivali, trekkers proceed approximately 3 kilometers along a gradual dirt path or road to Peth village, the direct base of the fort, before ascending the main trail. The core ascent from Peth involves a 2-3 kilometer trail gaining about 1,600 feet in elevation, rated as easy to moderate difficulty, suitable for beginners with basic fitness. The path features forested sections, open meadows, and culminates in a steep rock-cut staircase within a chimney-like pinnacle, requiring handholds for the final 45-minute climb to the summit at 3,100 feet. Ascent typically takes 2 to 3 hours, with descent in 1.5 to 2 hours, for a total round trip of 4 to 5 hours excluding travel to the base. No permits are required, and the route lacks facilities like water sources or rest points, necessitating trekkers to carry sufficient supplies, sturdy , and rain gear, particularly during the season when the trail becomes slippery but visually enhanced by waterfalls. Organized groups often depart or early morning, returning by evening, while independent hikers should verify local transport schedules as options are limited post-sunset.

Seasonal Considerations and Safety

The preferred seasons for trekking to Kothaligad Fort, located in the Sahyadri range of , are post-monsoon (October to February) and early summer (March to May), when trails are relatively dry, temperatures range from 15–30°C, and visibility of the surrounding landscapes is optimal without excessive or rainfall hazards. During these periods, the 6.5 km round-trip trek, which gains about 1,000 meters in , poses lower risks of slips on loose or sudden crossings, though hydration remains essential due to limited water sources on the upper fort. season ( to September), while popular for its verdant scenery, cascading waterfalls, and firefly sightings in adjacent forests during May-, introduces significant challenges including slippery rock faces, potential landslides, and infestations on lower paths. Safety protocols emphasize preparation for the fort's distinctive chimney-like pinnacle ascent, featuring near-vertical rock-cut steps that demand handholds and can become precarious even in dry conditions if moss-covered. Trekkers should wear sturdy, grippy , carry at least 2 liters of per person, a basic first-aid kit including bandages for cuts from sharp rocks, and ; groups of 4–10 are recommended to assist in or emergencies, as mobile coverage is intermittent atop the 2,033-meter . Avoid solo treks, especially at dawn or dusk, and consult local weather forecasts via the , as sudden fog or afternoon showers can obscure the narrow final ridge trail leading to the fort's caves and reservoirs. In monsoon, postpone if heavy rain is predicted, prioritizing routes with established paths over improvised shortcuts to mitigate fall risks from the exposed eastern escarpment. No formal permits are required, but informing base village guides in Ambivali or Peth about itineraries enhances rescue feasibility in rare distress scenarios.

References

  1. https://indiahikes.com/documented-trek/kothaligad-peth-fort-trek
  2. https://www.escape2explore.com/blog/trekking/into-the-heart-of-history-the-kothaligad-experience/401
  3. https://www.fortsmaharashtra.com/kothaligad-fort/
  4. https://www.mountainfit.in/kothaligad-trek
  5. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/india/maharashtra/kothaligad-fort-peth-fort
  6. https://trekshitiz.com/Ei/Peth_%28Kothaligad%29-Trek-Medium-Grade.html
  7. https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/maharashtra/kothaligad-fort.html
  8. https://www.treksandtrails.org/tours/kothaligad-trek-peth-fort-2025
  9. https://www.tripoto.com/maharashtra/trips/a-trek-to-mysterious-thrilling-kothaligad-peth-fort-601d25c43c67c
  10. https://maharashtrafortsexplore.wordpress.com/2019/01/02/kothaligad-trek/
  11. https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Kothaligad
  12. https://mountaintamers.blogspot.com/2013/06/trek-to-peth-fort-kothaligad-ambivali.html
  13. https://www.facebook.com/groups/WorldHistoryphotos/posts/1851359735121702/
  14. https://www.mumbaitrekkers.com/archive-1/kothaligad-%28peth%29
  15. https://www.treksandtrails.org/tours/kothaligad-peth-trek-and-camping
  16. https://www.gosahin.com/places-to-visit/kothaligad-fort/
  17. https://www.mumbaipuneadventures.com/destination/kothaligad-trek-near-mumbai-pune/
  18. https://www.trekshitiz.com/Ei/Peth_%28Kothaligad%29-Trek--Alpha.html
  19. https://www.lets2gether.blog/2025/07/how-to-reach-kothaligad-peth-fort-trek.html
  20. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g2288614-d3321113-Reviews-Kothaligad_Fort-Karjat_Town_Karjat_Raigad_District_Maharashtra.html
  21. https://trekshitiz.com/Ei/Peth_%28Kothaligad%29-Trek--Alpha.html
  22. https://www.mischieftreks.com/tours/kothaligad-fort-trek
  23. https://www.adventuregeek.in/tours/kothaligad-monsoon-trek-2025
  24. https://www.trekupindia.com/kothaligad-trek
  25. https://www.bhatakna.com/tour/kothaligad-monsoon-trek
  26. https://www.treksandtrails.org/blog/safe-monsoon-treks-in-maharashtra/
  27. https://firefliesfestival.com/location/kothaligad
  28. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/mumbaikars-how-safe-is-your-trek-this-season/articleshow/70112955.cms
  29. https://www.adventurenation.com/trip/kothaligad-monsoon-trek
  30. https://findyouradventure.in/tour/kothaligad-trek-from-mumbai/
  31. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKbcMltIv8Q/
  32. https://www.trekhievers.com/tours/kothaligad
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