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PLACES OF INTEREST
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RAJDEHARE FORT.
Rajdehare Fort (Chalisgaon Taluka, 20° 15' N; 74° 50' E;
R. S. Rohini, 14-m), about 14 miles south-east of Chalisgaon, is
naturally very strong. It is merely a high precipitous mountain possessing no works, except such as have been constructed for the defence of a narrow traversing foot-path, cut through the rock with great labour and secured by gates which are now (1959) in a dilapidated condition. The entrance into Rajdehare resembles that of the famed Daultabad, except that it is open at the top instead of being altogether underground. [The passage into Daultabad contains several iron gates, and the method proposed for their defence is the ignition of combustible matter heaped behind them whenever they shall be threatened. But independent of the passage into Rajdehare being capable of a similar expedient, it is much more defensible from being exposed overhead to the precipitation of stones, none of which could be avoided by the assailants. Blacker's
Maratha War, 318.] In the war between the British and the Marathas in 1818,
above the gates and along the precipice which commands the passage, stones were
piled, which alone afforded the means of sufficient opposition. Loopholes and
embrasures were also cut through the soiled rock, to take the traverses
successively, and the fort was abundantly watered. In spite of its great
strength, and though it had a year's provisions, it was captured by a British
detachment. The garrison refusing to surrender, batteries were erected. Their
fire was so effective that the garrison offered to surrender if they received
their arrears of pay. The messengers were told that nothing more than their
private property, and freedom to go where they chose, could be granted, and were
sent back with a respite of two hours to consider the terms. They had scarcely
gained the interior of the fort,
when it was observed to be on fire. There were frequent explosions, and those within, in the greatest terror and confusion, endeavoured to get out. This was effected with much difficulty, owing to the obstructions of the passage; which shortly became so warm, that a party sent to seize it. was unable to endure the beat. Under cover of the night the greater part of the garrison escaped. Forty were brought prisoners and seven found alive in the place. The cause of the fire was never found out. It was probably due to the bursting of some shell that, for a time had lain quiet. Within Were twelve pieces of ordnance of different sizes, and some treasure was found among the ashes. [Blacker's Maracha War,.318-320.]
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