Dhodap Fort, Mountain fort in Chandwad, India
Dhodap Fort is a mountain fort in the Satmala range, featuring steep cliffs and fortified walls across a high plateau. The fort's grounds contain natural caves, carved rock chambers, and temples built into the hillside.
The fort was controlled by Nizamshahi rulers before passing to Mughal forces, later becoming a Maratha stronghold until British conquest in the 1800s. This series of changes reflects the shifting powers across the region over several centuries.
Three indigenous tribal settlements within the fort grounds maintain traditional dairy farming practices, passing down generations-old agricultural knowledge.
Two main routes lead to the fort from Wadali Bhoi or Kalwan, with the climb from Hatti village taking around 90 minutes. The ascent is steep, so wear sturdy footwear and start early to have plenty of daylight for exploring.
The plateau holds ancient water storage systems carved into cave chambers, showing how inhabitants once collected water in this mountain region. These underground structures remain visible and reveal details about how people lived and survived here long ago.
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