Naldurg Fort

Naldurg Fort, located in Osmanabad, Maharashtra, is a historic fort named after Nalraja, who is believed to have originally built it between the 10th and 12th centuries. The fort is unique for enclosing a knoll of basalt rock that extends into the valley of the Bori River, surrounded by fortified walls on three sides with large bastions capable of holding heavy guns.

It has a circumference of about one and a half miles and includes several notable bastions and remnants of old buildings such as Barood Kotha, Baradari, Ambarkhana, and Rangaan Mahal. The fort features two tanks and historic cannons, with main gates known as Hathi Darwaza and Hurmukh Darwaza. A remarkable architectural feature is the dam and water palace (Pani Mahal) constructed across the Bori River during Ibrahim Adil Shah II's reign in the early 17th century. Over time, Naldurg Fort came under the rule of various dynasties including the Western Chalukyas, Bahmani Sultanate, Adil Shahi dynasty, and later the Mughal Empire.

The fort holds significant historical importance as a strategic military site and cultural landmark in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. It stands today as a protected monument reflecting medieval architectural style and the region's rich heritage.