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PLACES
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AMBAGAD VILLAGE
Ambagad, or the fort of the mangoes, so called on account of a large number of mango trees in and around the fort and the village in former days, is a village of 1,124 inhabitants in 1971 in Bhandara tahsil lying about 18 miles due north of Bhandara. On a bluff above the village, forming the end of the Ambagad range, stands the fort of that name, which is believed to have been built by a Pathan Governor of Seoni under the Gond Raja Bakht Buland in 1700 A.D. During the Bhosle regime it was used as a prison, where, it is said, criminals were despatched to be poisoned by being compelled to drink the stagnant and dark waters of the inner well of the fort. One Kadu Patel of Mohadi village who was imprisoned here on a charge of sorcery died in his confinement. He has since been elevated to the position of a deity, as Afzal Khan has been at the foot of Pratapgad, and worshipped by the Koshtis. He is known as the Ambagadhia Dev and the credulous villagers sacrifice goats and fowls at his altar in order to be cured of their diseases. The fortress including the gate on the eastern side which stood until recently, lies in total ruins. This fort together with that of Pauni was held against the British during Appa Saheb's rebellion in 1818. After the reduction of Kamtha, Major Wilson arrived before the fort which was garrisoned by 500 men. On a reconnaissance being made the garrison drew out of the fort to a neighbouring hill feature and subsequently fled without giving a fight. Having thus assaulted and carried the fort by storm, Major Wilson proceeded against Pauni. Fronting the fort and looking across a valley which here pierces the Ambagad range, is a remarkable basaltic precipice with a sheer drop of 200 feet. There is a small tank on the hill and from this water is believed to flow to a gaimukh or spring lower down. Not far from the village is the Baghada Gari Bandh under execution. It is estimated to cost rupees forty-five lakhs and irrigate 3,000 acres of land. A decade ago a hoard of over 1,000 silver coins was brought to light. Ambagad has a middle school and a grampanchayat.
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