FORT NARAYANGAD

On Pune Nashik highway, lies small town called Narayangaon. It is the principal town near the border of Pune-Nashik district and approx 76 km from Pune. Approx 5-6 km on the east of Narayangaon stands Narayangad.
Natural defence (gigantic cliffs) was the chief strength of this fort and hence its artificial fortification was never strong. This fort was built by the first Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath (1714-1720) and was given in service grant to Sayaji Pawar.It was surrendered to English army in 1820 when only one shell reached inside of the fort. In 1827 Captain Clunes has mentioned about the village and fort.
From Narayangaon a road goes to a small village called Kodad and from Kodad after crossing a canal we reach at the base village called ‘Gadachi wadi’ a town with just 40-50 houses and around 150-200 population. On the eastern border of the village is the steep rock standing 2872ft from sea level is the Narayangad.

The fort hill is spreaded North-South. There is small temple of Godess Jagadamba at the base of this rocky hill. Temple seems to be recently built Keeping the temple on right we catch the small path which takes us to the rock-cut steps which are still in good condition and not slippery. In 15-20 minutes we reach on the top.

Entrance to the fort is on the western side at the middle of its length. As per old records, there was a doorway with the figures of Ganesha and two attendant tigers on its lintel. Small strip of fortified wall runs 15-20 ft towards the south from the entrance. On the right are two bastions 30-40 ft away from each other. The wall and bastions are in good condition rest of the fortification was completely dimanteled in 1820.Hill raises 10-20 ft on the northern and southern ends of the fort.

There are group of 5 reservoirs on the east face and two cisterns which supplied drinking water are on the south–east side. Both are approximately 70 meter from each other. There is a stone inscription in devnagari on one of the cistern wall. This cistern has small steps to reach the base during summer and for cleaning purpose.Turning to the north, one the way there are some ruins of buildings scattered everywhere. On the extreme northern end is the temple of Goddess Hastabai. Temple is not very old.