ASI to develop Dongartal Fort as tourist spot

 

 

 

 

WITH increasing number of visitors to Dongartal Fort, about 67 KM from Nagpur city and about 15 KM from Mansar on Nagpur-Jabalpur Highway, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has undertaken its conservation work. The fort is a Centrally protected monument. After some plastering work, stone flooring and desilting of the portion of the lake, it would be added to the tourist circuit of Ramtek, Khindsi, Nagardhan, Mansar, and inter-State Pench National Park. Surrounded by hills and a lake, it is one of the rare examples of Moghul-Maratha brick architecture. It is a two-storeyed fort with stone stairs leading to a well. Some historians say that the fort had a secret tunnel, which led to another nearby fort but now has vanished because of Pench dam.

 

 

Some historians are of the view that the fort was built by a Gond King. Others are of the view that the greatest ruler of the Rajgond dynasty Bakht Buland Shah, the founder of Nagpur, was a great warrior and had conquered territories from the neighbouring kingdoms of Chanda and Mandla, Pauni, Dongartal, Sivni and Katangi, portions of Nagpur, Balaghat, Seoni, and Bhandara. He had also annexed the adjoining Rajput kingdom of Kherla. The present districts of Chhindwara and Betul also came under his control. A senior Archaeologist told ‘The Hitavada’ that it bore a late pilgrim record of two lines on the rock. Fort dates back to the late medieval period and architecturally represents Mughal-Maratha style. Each corner of the fort is provided with minaret, while walls are provided with merions adding strength and beauty. A square bell exists in front of the fort.

 

These types of forts were used for territorial expansion, transportation, trading etc. In ancient and medieval times, these forts offered security to the traders and common people who passed the land route. This place also attracts tourists of all faiths to a well-maintained Durga Temple and tomb of Baba Alla Hazrat Ali Baux Lal Diwan Shah. Fortification are military constructions and buildings designed for defence in warfare and military bases. From ancient days to the medieval era, constructing forts at urban as well as remote places was an important means of territorial expansion. This fort belongs to the ‘Vandurga’ (Forest Fort) category and is located far away from human habitation in an inaccessible dense teak forest. This is one of the smallest forts in Nagpur district.