Rohida fort

Rohida Fort, also historically known as Vichitragad, is a stone hill fort situated in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India. Located approximately ten kilometers from the town of Bhor, the structure dates back to the Yadava period, making it a site of significant historical depth. The fort features distinct architectural elements including three main entrance gates adorned with carvings of lions, Sharabha, and elephant heads. Notable internal features include a rock-cut water cistern that provides year-round drinking water and a main gate decorated with a Ganesh patti and Mihrab. An inscription on the third gate records repairs undertaken by Mohammed Adil Shah of Bijapur in May 1656, highlighting its strategic importance during medieval conflicts.

The fortress holds a prominent place in Maratha history, having been one of twenty-three forts handed over to the Mughals under the Treaty of Purandar in 1665 by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji successfully recaptured the site in June 1670, though it changed hands again during subsequent wars before coming under the control of the Pant Sachiv rulers of Bhor State in the early 1700s. They renamed the structure Vichitragad, and it remained part of their dominion until Indian independence in 1947. Today, the fort exists as ruins under the ownership of the Government of India but remains open to the public.

Current conditions show the site in a state of preservation, with restoration efforts led by the Shree Shivdurga Samvardhan committee in collaboration with the forest department and local villagers. Accessible via a safe, wide trekking path starting from Bajarwadi village, the journey to the entrance takes about one hour. Visitors can arrange for night stays and meals at reasonable costs through local committees, often lodging within the Rohidamalla temple on the premises. Despite its ruined status, the fort serves as an active destination for trekkers and history enthusiasts exploring the Western Ghats.