PLACES

MACHCHINDRAGAD

Macchindragad, the most southern of the chain of hill-forts built in 1676 by Sivaji, is a solitary round-topped hill 16.09 km (ten miles) south-east of Karhad. The hill lies close to the west of the Karhad-Tasganv road which runs through the gorge dividing the fort hill from the main range which stretches from Mol in Khatav to Kundal in Tasganv. The fort has few features of interest. The ascent is by a steep but well kept path on the north from a hamlet lying close under the hill side. The hill is about 243.84 metres (800 feet) above the plain and the ascent which is by sharp zigzags occupies about twenty minutes. The last third of the ascent is by steps cut in the rock. The top is waving and surrounded by walls but with scarcely any scarp. The walls are of loose small dry stone about 2.43 to 3.65 metres (eight to twelve feet) high on the outside and 1.82 metres (six feet) inside and about 1.82 metres (six feet) thick at the foot with a 0.304 (two feet) parapet. The entrance is by a rough-pointed arched gateway now broken down. There are remains of a few buildings, and on the south is a small temple of Macchindranath. A devotee of this god came from the village of Kale 8 km (five miles) south of Karhad in about 1830 and revived the worship of the god. His descendants still reside on the hill and atttend to the temple. Near the temple are several tombs of ascetics and sati monuments with stone facsimiles of hand and foot prints. On the north about 45.72 metres (50 yds.) south-west of the gate is a large pit or tank dug out of the rock which generally holds dirty water. It was made at the same time as the fort. There is another spring on the south which is used by the Gosavis living on the hill and by. the people chiefly from the neighbouring village, who frequent a yearly fair. The path up is kept in repair for this fair and the approaches to the temple on the top are lined with trees also planted and maintained out of the fair receipts. The fort was garrisoned by the Pratinidhi till it was taken by Bapu Gokhale about 1810. It was then managed by Gokhale for the Pesva till May 1818 when it was surrendered without resistance to a British force under Colonel Hewiti.

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