Gawilghur

Gawilghur is a well-fortified mountain stronghold located in the Amravati district of Maharashtra, perched over 1,060 meters above sea level in the Satpura range near the Melghat Tiger Reserve. The fort's name originates from the Gawli (cowherd) rulers believed to have first built a mud fort on the site in the 12th century.

It was later reconstructed in stone in 1425 by Ahmad Shah Wali of the Bahmani dynasty and further fortified by various rulers, including the Imad Shahi dynasty, Mughals, Marathas, and British.

The fort features two levels, an outer and inner fort separated by a ravine, with multiple defense structures like gates, bastions, and water tanks. Famous for its strength, it was the site of a major 1803 battle during the Second Anglo-Maratha War when Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) captured it. Today, the ruins offer stunning views of the surrounding forests and hills, attracting trekkers and history enthusiasts.

The Archaeological Survey of India maintains it as a protected heritage site, though conservation challenges remain due to weathering and limited funding.