| Gawilghur fort | |
|---|---|
| Amravati District, VidarbhaMaharashtra | |
 Gavilgad fort walls | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Hill fort |
| Owner | Government of India |
| Controlled by | Muzaffarid dynasty,British Empire |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Location | |
  Gawilghur fort Shown within Maharashtra Show map of India Gawilghur fort Gawilghur fort (Maharashtra) Show map of Maharashtra | |
| Coordinates | 21°22′56″N77°20′2″E / 21.38222°N 77.33389°E /21.38222; 77.33389 |
| Height | 1,103 m (3,619 ft) ASL |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1425-26 AD |
| Built by | Gond kings |
| In use | 1425-1803 AD |
| Materials | Stone |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders | Rana Shivdeosingh Rajput |
Gawilghur (also,Gawilgarh orGawilgad, Pronunciation:[ɡaːʋilɡəɖ]) was a well-fortified mountain stronghold of theMaratha Empire north of theDeccan Plateau, in the vicinity ofSatpura Ranges,Amravati District,[1]Maharashtra. It wassuccessfully assaulted by a force commanded byArthur Wellesley on 15 December 1803 during theSecond Anglo-Maratha War.
The fort takes its name from theGawli (cow herds) who inhabited the Berar (modern day Amravati) for centuries. Earlier the fort was likely just made of mud as were several such areas in the region. The exact date of construction is not known but the Persian historian,Firishta, records that Ahmed Shah Wali, the ninth king of the Bahamani dynasty reconstructed Gawilgarh when he was encamped at Ellichpur in 1425.[2] Likely this was the date when major fortification was carried out.
In 1803 during the2nd Maratha War the fort was besieged by Arthur Wellesley (laterDuke of Wellington).[3] After two failed attempts at the main gate by British and Sepoy companies, and many casualties, Captain Campbell led the 94th Highlanders (light company) up the ravine dividing the inner and outer forts and into the inner fort byescalade. The Scots then forced the northern gatehouse and opened the many gates, allowing the remaining British forces entry. The British suffered few casualties in the final assault (approx. 150). The fortress was returned to theKilledar Rana Shivsingh Rajput of theMaratha Empire, after making peace with the British but they abandoned it.
The fort has several inscriptions in Persian recording the date of building of each of its seven gates. It has two water tanks (Devtalav andKhantalav),[4] which would have been the main water source in case the fort was besieged. .[5][6] So, probably there is a tunnel connecting the two forts.
There are several unrepaired breaches made by British guns, which remain to this day. The gun that killed five attackers with a single shot still stands, although now with graffiti running the length of the barrel.
gawilgarh.
