# Chandan Fort

- **Country:** India

Chandan Fort is a historic hill fort situated in the Satara district of Maharashtra, India, perched on a hilly spur of the Sahyadri ridge at an elevation of 3,800 feet. Constructed primarily from stone, this military installation was originally built between 1191 and 1192 by King Bhoj-II of the Shilahara dynasty, as evidenced by ancient copper plate manuscripts. The fort holds immense historical significance as the first stronghold captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji after his oath at Raireshvar in 1673. Following this pivotal event, the fort changed hands multiple times between the Marathas, the Adilshah of Bijapur, and the Mughal Empire, before finally coming under the control of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj in 1707.

Currently owned by the Government of India, the fort exists largely in ruins but remains open to the public and is a popular destination for trekkers and pilgrims. Although the main entrance gate is dilapidated, the site features several points of interest, including a Dargah dedicated to Gaus Pak Baba, water cisterns, bastions, and an old Shiva temple housing two Linga sculptures. A unique architectural feature includes a peculiar stone-piled structure with a path running between the piles, alongside three roofless stone rooms on the southern side believed to be former storehouses. Every year during the month of Shravan, a festival is celebrated here by villagers from the surrounding agricultural communities.

Access to the fort is typically gained through nearby villages such as Kholvadi, Ibrahimpur, or Belmachi, with the nearest major town being Bhuinj. While there are no substantial hotels or potable water sources on the summit, the trek takes approximately one hour and offers a memorable experience for visitors who often combine it with a visit to the adjacent Vandan Fort. Despite its ruined condition, the site stands as a testament to the region's turbulent martial history and continues to attract those interested in exploring the legacy of the Maratha Empire.

![Photo of Chandan Fort](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/46/Chandan_Fort5.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandan_Fort (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)