# Ravlya Fort

- **Country:** India

Ravlya Fort is a historic hill fort situated in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, India, approximately 43 kilometers from the city of Nashik. Standing at an elevation of 4,369 feet within the Ajintha Satmal Hill Range, it forms a twin complex with Javlya Fort on a single hill plateau, with Ravlya occupying the western side and Javlya the eastern. Constructed primarily of stone, the fort was strategically positioned to overlook and control the vital trade route connecting Khandesh to Nashik. Its strategic importance led to it being historically known as one of the "Rola-Jola" forts, highlighting its paired defensive nature alongside its neighbor.

The fortress boasts a rich military history marked by shifts in power between major Indian empires. Originally captured for the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan by Alavardikhan in 1636, it was later seized by the Maratha leader Shivaji Maharaj in 1670. Although the Mughal commander Dilerkhan attempted to recapture it in 1671, he was defeated, though Mahabat Khan eventually secured it for the empire. The fort remained under the control of the Peshwas for an extended period until British forces took possession in 1818. In a significant act of decommissioning the following year, Captain Mackintosh ordered the destruction of the fort's steps, bastions, and walls, rendering the ascent nearly impossible and effectively ending its military utility.

Today, Ravlya Fort exists in a state of ruin under the ownership of the Government of India and remains open to the public. Visitors exploring the site will find that almost no original structures survive, with only a few ruined buildings and dried-up water cisterns remaining as testaments to its past grandeur. Despite the lack of intact architecture, the location continues to attract trekkers and history enthusiasts who make the journey via regular buses from Nashik to the base village of Babapur. A complete exploration of both twin forts typically requires about five hours, offering a glimpse into the region's layered colonial and imperial history amidst the rugged Sahyadri landscape.

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