Gawilghur

Gawilghur, also known as Gawilgarh or Gawilgad, is a historic hill fort situated in the Amravati District of Vidarbha, Maharashtra, India. Perched at an elevation of 1,103 meters above sea level within the Satpura Ranges north of the Deccan Plateau, this stone stronghold was originally inhabited by the Gawli cowherd community. While earlier structures may have been made of mud, the fort was significantly reconstructed and fortified in 1425–26 AD under the orders of Ahmed Shah Wali of the Bahmani Sultanate. Over the centuries, it served as a strategic military installation controlled by various powers, including the Muzaffarid dynasty, Berar Sultanate, Mughals, and eventually the Maratha Empire.

The fortress is renowned for its formidable defenses and played a pivotal role during the Second Anglo-Maratha War. In December 1803, forces commanded by Arthur Wellesley, who later became the Duke of Wellington, successfully assaulted the fort after previous attempts had failed. British troops, led by Captain Campbell and the 94th Highlanders, scaled the ravine between the inner and outer walls to capture the northern gatehouse, leading to the fort's surrender. Although the site was returned to the Maratha Killedar Rana Shivsingh Rajput following the conflict, it was subsequently abandoned. Today, the property is owned by the Government of India and remains open to the public as a heritage site.

Visitors to Gawilghur can explore its well-preserved ruins, which feature seven gates adorned with Persian inscriptions documenting their construction dates. The complex also includes two historic water tanks known as Devtalav and Khantalav, which were essential for sustaining the garrison. As a testament to medieval military architecture in the region, the fort offers significant historical insight into the shifting powers of central India and stands as a lasting monument to the colonial era conflicts that shaped the nation's history.