Ramshej fort, the witnesser of the longest war between Maratha and Mughal. The article reveals exhaustive information about the Ramshej Fort; including its history, location, how to reach it by public transport, trekking, best time visits, facilities, nearby places, and our thoughts at the end.
Ramshej means Lord Ram’s bedstead. While in exile, Lord Ram had made this place as his residence for some time, which given the fort its name. Thats show important Ramshej fort is; not only as historically; but spiritually too.
Although it is a short trek and also close to Nashik City, which is ideal for beginners, it also has several fortifications and temples to explore, including ruins, a rock-cut entrance, and several water tanks.
INDEX OF THE BLOG
RAMSHEJ FORT
What is the story of Ramshej fort?
Maharashtra soil is blessed with the history of lion-hearted warriors like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj, and many more. During their time, the number of warriors of the Maratha Empire and the Maavale Army battled against the enemies and not only won numerous forts to expand the empire, but they also protected the common people.
Mughal commanders threatened the Maratha, saying that they would capture the Ramshej within an hour, but over 600 Maavale fought against 50,000 Mughals, resisted them for almost 6 years, and remained undefeatable in battle at the end. The description of the battle of Ramshej was first read in the documents of the Mughals, and the true history came to light.
Who won Ramshej fort?
First Chapter: Impregnable Marathas
After the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb came to Maharashtra, and his only motive was to destroy Hindavi Swarajya (the Maratha Empire). Nashik was under the command of the Mughals, so it would be easier to capture Ramshej for them.
To conquer Ramshej, Aurangzeb appointed Shahabuddin Firoz-e-Jung with 10,000 soldiers and cannons in the year 1682. There were about 600 Mavales on the fort with Killedar (Fortress) Suryaji Jadhav when the Mughals first seized the Ramshej. Shahabuddin tightened the seizure, dynamited the surrounding area, and attacked the Ramshej fort with a wooden bastion called ‘Dhamdhama’ that was capable of holding around 400 people and 50 canons.
On account of the unavailability of the stone canon, Killedar Suryaji made a wooden canon and replied with a massive stone attack from the canon. Thousands of Mughal soldiers were injured and killed, and armaments were destroyed in this attack by the Marathas. Because of the experience and intelligent strategy of Killedar Suryaji, the Mughal attack failed miserably. Sambhaji Raje sent Rupaji Bhosale and Manaji More with 7,000 Mavale to break the seizure, and on the other hand, he also plundered all the logistics of the Mughals in the night, which were coming from Aurangzeb.
Both armies fought fiercely in which Mughals lost their soldiers in large numbers to the Maratha Army at the end. And that’s how this victory filled the Marathas in this first battle with enthusiasm.
Second Chapter: Streak Continue
Due to the Mughal’s retreat, Aurangzeb got agitated and sent commander Bahadur Khan toward Ramshej. Because of consistent failures, Shahabuddin left this war in between and Bahadur Khan took the responsibility for this siege. He planned a new strategy where the Army with Canons and instruments stationed at one side of the fort and kept the Marathas engaged so that other remaining forces of Mughal would attack from the other side of the fort.
Source: Internet
But again, the Marathas were already aware of this old strategy and divided their Mavala army into both sides of the fort which indirectly failed the plans of Bahadur Khan & Mughals.
Third Chapter: Ghost of Marathas
After several defeats from Marathas, Bahadur Khan decided to take the help of Aghori Vidya(Black Magic) as the Mughal army thought the ghost of Marathas residing in Ramshej prevented them from capturing the fort and so they called Tantrik to devise a new strategy.
He advised Bahadur Khan to use a golden Serpent (Snake Statue) weighing 100 tolas which cost about Rs. 37,630 and lead the Mughal army to the Main gate of the fort. Khan followed his instruction but when they reached within the range of attack, Marathas again stated their stone attacks with more intensity. Tantrik got hit by one of the rocks and the Serpent also fell on the ground from his hands. Mughals were aghast and left with no option other than to retreat.
Final Chapter: Invincible Ramshej
On the continuous failure of Mughal commanders, Aurangzeb finally sent Kasimkhan Kiramani to march towards Ramshej, but he too failed to capture the Ramshej. Hence, the ferocious Marathas fought bravely for about 65 months and proved how strong their courage & also Ramshej were.
Finally, Aurangzeb unhappily removes the siege of his army because of financial losses and with no other option, he also drops the idea of capturing the Ramshej fort.
In between the period of 1682-1687, Ramshej stands proudly even after receiving several attacks from the Mughals. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj paid homage to the Killedar Suryaji Jadhav with gemstone, costume, and hone (ancient currency) for this incredible feat.
It is said that the Mughals won Ramshej Fort later by paying a bribe to the new killedar.
Ramshej was even captured by the British Army in 1818 after the fall of Trymbakgathe d fort. Captain Briggs describes that there were eight guns, 9 small cannons called jamburas, and 21 jingals on the fort.
What is the elevation of Ramshej?
Most of the forts of the Maratha Empire were in Sahyadri’s cottages and dense trees. Ramshej Fort, however, is an exception. This 3200 ft asl fort near Nasik is in the plains. This fort can be seen from the entire Nashik.
The fort is located on a high tableland with escarpments on all sides. There are good steps on the eastern side of the fort which lead to the entrance gate.
Where Ramshej Fort Located?
Aashewadi is the only base village of Ramshej fort and lies from 22 km from Nashik city on the Nashik-Gujrat road. It is in Dindori Taluka in Nashik District and also belongs to Khandesh and Northern Maharashtra region.
Ashewadi is surrounded by Peth Taluka towards west, Nashik Taluka towards South.
Ramshej Fort Map
Place to see in Ramshej Fort
Entrance Gate
Entry Point of Ramshej fort that stands in Nashik-Gujarat Peth road. After entering from the gate, you need to walk 15 minutes to reach the base of the fort.
Rock Cut Steps
Number of rock-cut steps just ahead of Ram Mandir of Ramshej.
Ram Mandir of Ramshej Fort
En-routing fort, there is a small temple of Lord Ram inside a huge cave. The cave is well maintained by the devotees and offers a nice place to stay. There is the temple of Lord Ram, Goddes Sita Mata, Lakshmana, Lord Hanumana, Goddess Durga Mata, Lord Gurudatta.
Gupt Water Cistern
It is a source of Portable water of Ramshej Fort which lies just below the Ram Mandir.
Shilalekh
Inscription on one side of the Mandir can be seen.
Gupt Darwaja
One of the Secret Entrance of Ramshej located just ahead of Ram Mandir.
Dhanyakothar Guhaa
Wide Cave that lies just below of Gupt Darwaja was used as Granary.
Flagpoint
A 15 Feet Bhagwa(Orange) flag of Maratha is hoisted at one of the cliffs of Ramshej facing Nashik City in honor of all the Warriors of Marathas who fought bravely and even died while protecting Ramshej from Mughal attacks.
Bhagwati Devi Mandir
Temple of goddess Bhagwati located ahead of Ram Mandir where people from base village celebrates Navratri Festival.
Rock cut Watertank
2nd Gupt Darwaja
There exists a secret tunnel that is inaccessible now. This hidden entrance gate on the eastern side of the fort that used to leads the path to Bhorgad fort.
Mahadarwaja
On the eastern side of the fort is the main entrance of the fort which is chiseled from the parent rock. It is constructed beneath the cliff, which is quite huge but devastated now.
Cave of Ramshej
It is nothing but the wonder of Ramshej Fort. It has shivling that dips into a continuous water stream as there is a hole in a rock on the upper portion of the cave. Hence, the water stream flows in the Mahadarwaja region flows through a hole and falls into shivling continuously.
Ramshej Fort Surroundings
How to Reach Ramshej Fort?
MUMBAI – NASHIK – NASHIK CBS OLD- PETH NAKA –ASHEWADI PHATA – ASHEWADI VILLAGE- RAMSHEJ FORT
From Mumbai, catch any Express Train to Nashik
– Nashik CBS old via Local bus from Nashik Railway Station
– Catch ST Bus or Auto to Peth Naka(2km from CBS)
– Catch ST toward Peth village and get down midway at signboard or entrance of Ramshej fort and start walking on tar road toward Ramshej otherwise, Hitchhike to Ashewadi phata (13km from Peth Naka) and then walk towards Ashewadi village.
Ramshej Fort Trek
Ramshej Fort Trek is very easy for a experienced and easy for beginners or children or aged people. As it is one of the shortest trek in Sahyadri, it is suitable for all generations to visit.
It requires a maximum 1 hour from the Entrance gate to ascend and half an hour to descend.
How long does it take to climb Ramshej fort?
It requires about 3 hours maximum to complete exploration.
Ramshej Fort Facilities
Food arrangements must be made on our own. There are several cisterns which are a source of drinking water all year round.
Accomodation in Ramshej Fort
Ram Mandir is a good place to stay and can accommodate around 10 people at a time. Otherwise, you can set up a tent in the Flagpoint region.
PARKING : There is parking facility available at Base of Fort
What is best time to Visit Ramshej Fort?
Mostly avoid visiting the Ramshej in Monsoon season because of rock steps are slippery sometimes and you cannot able to see surrounding views of Nashik city.
Nearby Place to Ramshej
Chambar caves, Sunni Shai Masjid, Jain Mandir, Wagjai Mandir, Bhakti Dham, Someshwar Waterfalls, Balaji Mandir, Topavan Lokmandir, Nawsha Ganpati, Vardhavinayak Ganpati Mandir, etc
Final thought about Ramshej
“Unfortunately, the tale of this greatest feat of Maratha army has been deprived of the golden letter of history for some unknown reason. And as a result, the valor of this fort remains unknown to the history and for generations to come.”
Hope you like our exahustive information about Ramshej Fort?
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