Vairagad Fort


Vairagad is a small fort situated in the Gadchiroli district at the confluence of River Khobragadhi and Satnalas. The small dusty village by the name of the fort is adjacent to the fort. This fort is situated 180 km from Nagpur and 80 km from Chandrapur.

History

This village is supposed to be established in Dwapara Yuga by a king named Vairacan. The city was ruled by the Mana chiefs, who about the 9th century fell before the Gonds. The Gonds ruled it along with Garbori and Rajgad. Vairagad once possessed diamond mines and are referred in the Ain-i-Akbari of Abul Fazal. on a hill at the foot were supposed to be a mine, now an old Idgah and 108 Musalman tombs appear to be of those soldiers killed in the battle when Ahmad Shah Bahamani of Bahmani Sultanate raided Vairagad in about 1422. In 1925 this fort was declared as protected monument

Places to visit

The fortress lies north of the village spread over 10 acres area. There are three gates at the entrance of the fort. A river moat nearly 15–20 feet deep runs around the fort. There are many wells inside the fort. The step well with two arches still bears water is in a ruined state. there are two rectangular wells with large stone coverings. Presently the Archeology dept.has taken up work of reconstruction of main entrance. Outside the fort premises is the tomb of the Gond Prince Durga Sah and a grave of unknown English Girl who, supposed to be the daughter of British commandant of the garrison between 1818 and 1830.
About a mile from the fort stands a small temple of Bhandareshwar similar in style of Markandeya temple.

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