Ahmednagar Fort

Ahmednagar Fort was constructed by Malik Ahmed, the first sultan of the Nizam Shahi dynasty, during the 15th and the 16th century. The fort has 18 m high walls that are supported by 22 bastions. This fort was also used as a prison for keeping the captured soldiers. At present, the fort is under the control of the military command of India.

The fort has undergone many constructions and renovations during the reign of Hussain Nizam Shah from 1559 to 1562. After six years, he died and Chand Bibi, one of the famous queens, protected the fort. However, when Akbar attacked the fort in 1600, it was captured by the Mughals. The circumference of the fort is oval in shape. The fort has 24 citadels which are 30 m wide and a moat which is 4 to 6 m deep.

The fort was ruled by two main dynasties, namely the Marathas and the Scindias. Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal Emperor, died in this fort in 1707. Moreover, Madhavrao II and Daulat Scindia died during their reign at this fort. During the Second Anglo-Maratha War in 1803, the fort was won by the British rulers from the Maratha forces and the East India Company captured the fort.

Used as a prison during the British rule, the fort served as a jail to the leaders of Indian National Congress during the Quit India Movement. The popular book named, 'The Discovery of India' was written by Jawaharlal Nehru during his imprisonment at Ahmednagar Fort.