The fort that lead Mughals on a pretty dance

Ramshej

According to the history, after death of Shivaji Maharaj, many forts put up strong resistance under the leadership of his son Sambhaji. This tiny fort was no exception. The fort was attacked by Aurangzeb's army and his commanders threatened the Maratha kingdom saying that they would capture the fort in hours but Shivaji Maharaja's son Sambhaji and his army resisted these attacks for almost 6 years. Later, Ramshej fort was one of the 17 strongholds which were surrendered to the British in 1818 CE.

Ramshej literally means Lord Ram's bedstead. It is believed that Lord Rama had made this place as his residence for some time during his exile; hence the fort got its name. To reach Ramshej fort, visitors can take a bus right up to Aashewadi Village, which lies at the foot of the fort. The way to the fort starts from Aashewadi on the south side and it takes 1 hour to reach the top of the fort. En route, there is a small temple of lord Ram inside a huge cave. The cave is well maintained by the devotees and offers a nice place to stay. One cistern lies on south side of this cave, which has potable water. On the left is huge plateau and on the right side there is a tunnel with steps which lead to the main fort. The main entrance is still intact.

Height =  Ramshej fort is 3200 ft (976 Meter) above sea level. 

Ramshej from the base village 

History of Ramshej

Ramshej means base of Lord Ram. This place was the residence or shelter for some time that is why it got its name as Ramshej. When the Marathas were in the control of Sambhaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb decided to terminate the Hindavi Swarajya completely hence he came to Maharashtra.

In those days Nashik was one of the trade centre in the hands of Mughals hence they decided to capture Ramshej fort to maintain their dominance in this region. But this fort proved very hard to capture.Aurangzeb sent an army of 40000 soldiers and canons under the leadership of Shahbuddin Gaziudin Firoze jung.

The fort had 600 Mavalas when Mughals sieged it. The Mavalas countered by throwing stones on them. This attack made the Mughals move back.The siege was tightened more by Shahbuddin he blasted the area and made wooden stages to hold his canons and made more camps in this area.

The commander of the fort or killedar was skilled for this type of wars hence he made an end to their plans.Shahbuddin made bastions of wood which could easily hold around 500 soldiers and 50 canons. The forest was eventually cleared by them to build the whole bastion.

The attempt to attack from the bastion failed.With an army of 7000 Manaji More and Rupaji Bhosale were sent by the Sambhaji Maharaj in May 1662 to break the siege. The place near Ganeshgaon is where Shahbuddin checked Marathas. Mughals lost 500 horses to the Marathas and provided victory to the Marathas.

Again Shahbuddin tensed the siege and continued the attack on the Ramshej fort, and again the mavalas attacked with throwing stones on them. In this attack Raja Dalapat Rai was injured and hence they retreated.Number of failures made shahbuddin to retreat and left Junnar.

Bahadur khan was appointed for the siege. He revised the plan of siege and attacked the fort. The section of the Mughal army with canons and instruments were made to stand at one side of the fort by which Marathas would attack this side and Mughals would attack from other side.

The Marathas were aware and they divided the army in two parts.A tantrik was called to make a new strategy but the tantrik asked for a golden snake of about 100 tola in weight. With the help of this snake he told he would lead the army to the main gate of the fort.

He led the army till the main gate keeping eye on the fort. When the army came in target of the Marathas they started there stone due to which the Tantrik got injured and the snake fell on the ground. The Mughals retreated when Aurangzeb said to retreat to the bahdur khan.

For 65 months the Marathas fought for the fort, the Aurangzeb sent Kasimkhan Kirmani to attack the Ramshej but he alsofailed.This proves the bravery of the Marathas.

We can see ram mandir fort inside a huge cave. The cave is taken care of by the devotees were one can stay. There are inscription on the walls of the caves, cisterns nearby in which potable water is available.

There is a tunnel which is in accessible. The route near this cave takes us to the machi.Mukhya Darwaja is the main entrance of the fort it is constructed under the cliff. This darwaja is bad condition now. From here you go to the couple of water cisterns and huge pond.

Devi Mandir is praised mostly during the Navratratras. We can see secret darwaja on the fort and two more cisterns, a few remnants of the house. It takes around 1 hour form the base village to reach the top of the fort. In all it take hours to see the fort. We can see Bhorgad and Chambar Caves from the top.

Fascinating Spots

Ram Mandir :

The way to the fort starts from its base village on the south side, and goes to the top from the east face. En route, there is a small temple of lord Ram inside a huge cave. The cave is well maintained by the devotees and offers a nice place to stay. Inscription near the cave can be clearly seen. One cistern lies on southwards of this cave, which has potable water. Broken steps in front of this cave take us to top of the fort. There exists a secret tunnel which is now inaccessible. The trail from here leads to one side of the fort, and the leftward route from the bifurcation leads to a narrow shaped Machi. The route that goes from right side ends up in a cliff.

Ram Mandir

Mukhya Darwaja (Main Entrance) :

The ‘Main Gate’ is constructed beneath the cliff, which is quite huge, but devastated now. Returning to the main route and after climbing some distance, one can reach to the plateau where we find two cisterns and one big pond.

Main Entrance 

Devi Mandir :

By climbing some more distance, we come across a Devi Mandir which holds the celebration of Navratri Festivals. By going bit down from back of this Mandir, there is another Gupt Darwaja (secret doorway) of this fort. And the route in front of this Mandir takes us to another side of the fort where two more cisterns exist. While back to this route, one can found destroyed parts/remains of homes.

Returning to the Mukhya Darwaja, leftward route goes to the plateau, where exists two-three cisterns and at the end of this plateau, there is a flag post.

Devi Mandir 

My experience at Ramshej

It was may of 2018 me and my friends decided that we will go to Ramshej fort. The fort is small about 45 minutes - 1 hour trek. But the air was full of motivation and pride. Pride, that this tiny fort was defended by the, Tiger of the Maratha Empire "Shri Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj" and "The brave Mavalas" for almost 6 years from Mughal's. 

According to hindu mythology Lord Ram visited this fort during his Vanvas and that's why it is called Ramshej (Rama's bed).

Yes the fascinating history and tactics of Marathas are enough to make a person crazy about this place.

Then in the route, there was Ram Mandir inside a huge cave once it was a secret tunnel in there. Then on the way to top a Devi Mandir was there. And on the back side of  Devi Mandir there was a Gupt Darwaja, and many water tanks in which we take a bath. And then we reached the top where the fort was situated once which is now a plane plateau.  

Best time to visit the fort

Any time you can visit the Ramshej fort.

Attire

Loose cloths and sports shoes especially joggers and trekking shoes.

Ways To Reach

First we have to reach Nashik. Then board a S.T from Nashik’s CBS bus station to Peth and alight at the Aashewadi Phata. A walk of some minutes takes us to Aashewadi village, from where we can see the fort.

Route to fort goes from the back side of the village by keeping fort at the left side. It takes 1 hour to climb the fort from this route.

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