Balapur, situated about 26 km from Akola,
is a town located at the junction of the rivers Man and Mhais. A historical
town, with a massively built fort, which is probably the strongest in Vidarbha
and Khandesh regions of Maharashtra, the
Balapur Fort was started in 1721 by Azam Shah, the son of Emperor Aurangzeb,
and was eventually completed by Ismail Khan, the Nawab of Ellichpur in
1757.
Situated on an elevated ground between the two rivers, the fort has very high
walls and bastions built of the best brickwork of its time. The fort has
three gateways, one within the other. With Balapur hailed as an important
military station during the times of the Mughals, the fort too was built
keeping in mind the town s military responsibilities and position. Complex
architecture used in the fort ensured its safety, as well as eased the
discharge of missiles and other ammunitions from within the fort, rendering it
one of the most impenetrable forts in the county. During the rains, the
Fort gets surrounded by floodwater except at one point. The temple of Bala Devi,
from which the town has derived its name, lies just under the Fort, on the
southern side.
Still in a relatively good condition, the Balapur Fort is now as used by the
Government to run some of its offices. A quiet spot, this fort held supreme
importance during the time of the Mughals. Not so well-known, this is a
must-see, especially since there will be no worries of hordes of tourists
ruining your visit.
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