Bahadur Fort

Bahadur Fort, also known historically as Pedgaon Fort and currently referred to as Dharmaveergad, is an ancient stone land fort situated in the village of Pedgaon within the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, India. Located approximately 100 kilometers from Pune and fifteen kilometers east of Daund town, the structure stands on the northern banks of the Bhima River at an elevation of 503 meters above sea level. While the exact original construction date remains unclear, the site features significant architectural elements from the Yadav period, including five temples built in the distinctive Hemadpanti style dedicated to deities such as Baleshwar, Lakshmi-Narayan, and Rameshwar. The rectangular fort originally possessed two entrance gates, though today only the gate facing the village remains in good condition while the riverside entrance lies in ruins.

The fortress holds profound historical significance due to its strategic role during the Mughal and Maratha eras. In 1672, the Mughal Viceroy Khan Jahan established a camp here, renamed the location Bahadurgad, and constructed enduring water channels to draw from the river. It was later captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji through strategic deception. The site is most infamously known as the place where Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje and his advisor Kavi Kalash were subjected to horrific torture and execution by Mughal forces after refusing to convert to Islam. In honor of Sambhaji's martyrdom, the fort was renamed Dharmaveergad. Following its capture by Sadashivrao Bhau in 1759, it remained under Maratha control until the British East India Company took possession in 1818.

Today, the fort exists primarily as ruins under the ownership of the Government of India but remains open to the public for visitation. Inside the premises, visitors can observe a two-storied palace attributed to Emperor Aurangzeb, a five-foot tall statue of Hanuman, and various historical artifacts including heroic stones, cannon balls, and a Deepmal. The presence of the well-preserved Persian wheel and Mot from the Mughal era highlights the engineering capabilities of past rulers. Despite its dilapidated condition, the site serves as an important cultural landmark, offering insights into the military conflicts and religious heritage that defined the region's turbulent history between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries.