Malegaon Fort is a well-built and a strong fort nestled in the busy town of Malegaon in Nasik district of Maharashtra. Malegaon fort was constructed in the year 1740 by Naro Shankar Raje Bahadur, who was then a Peshwa. Numerous craftsmen from Surat and other parts of Nothern India had been appointed by the Peshwa to build this fort. It took 25 years to complete this beautiful fort. Many of the craftsmen settled back in Malegaon aft the fort was complete. In the later part of years, it was besieged by the Arabs who defeated the Peshwa and followed by the British East India Company finally capturing the fort in the year 1818 A.D.

Since Malegaonfort is a land fort, it was very important for it to have a secure trench surrounding all four sides of the Fort. These trenches were filled by the diverted river water and a collapsible bridge over the trench was built for a passage to the fort. However, only one side of the trench is operational now. Currently, there is a secondary school being operational in the fort premises. Apart from that, there are some interesting passages and entrances along with a hexagonal Well inside the fortress. Surprisingly this fort is intact for the visitors to explore it with ease. This architectural marvel takes an hour to explore the whole fort. Although camping is not allowed here, there are small lodges and Hotels in Malegaon

Places to visit:

Nasik – This ancient city is situated on the banks of river Godavari, is one of the holiest cities in Maharashtra, as the famous Kumbh Mela is held here every 12 years. Apart from that Nasik is also a very popular destination as it is also called ‘Wine capital of India’.

Ellora Caves – this world heritage site is just at a distance of 110 km from Malegaon. This rock-cut architectural marvel is a must-visit place.

Best time to visit: The fort is open throughout the year. But the ideal time to visit is from September to February.

How to reach: Malegaon is connected to all the major cities. From Nasik, there are plenty of ST buses to Malegaon. And from Malegaon S.T bus station, the fort is at few minutes walking distance.

Tips and suggestions

  • Carry a lightly packed sack with a water bottle and protein bar
  • Do not litter and write on the walls. Let's show some respect to the heritage.
  • Carry a good pair of shoe