• Name of the Fort:
• Kothaligad

• Difficulty Level:
• Medium

• Endurance Level:
• Medium

About Fort

• Height of the Fort:
• 3100 ft.

• Region:
• Raigad

• Description:
• Kothaligad (also called Kotligad or Kothligad) is a small Fort (1500 ft) is situated to the east of Karjat in the Indian State of Maharashtra. It is one of the famous treks in the Karjat area, because of its small height and easy climbing. It is also known as the Fort of Peth because of its vicinity to Peth village at its base. There is a small temple and large cave at the base and a chimney like tunnel (see image) to the top of the fort. This pinnacle is carved from inside forming a staircase reaching the top. There is a tank of water at some distance from the cave and another one at the top of the fort. This tunnel is the high point of the trek, with its funnel like structure and steps along the inside in a steep ascent to the very top.

• History:
• The cave and the temple carvings date back to the 13th century. Not much is known about the history until the 18th century. In 1716, this cave was captured by the British. Then later on, on November 2, 1817, it was recaptured by the Marathas under the leadership of Bapurao who belonged to the generation after Bajirao. It was recaptured by the British, on December 30, 1817, the very next month, under Captain Brooks. The British had the fort till 1862 as an outpost for vigilance on the surrounding valley and the hills all around it. The locals say that this is not actually a fort but a sort of lighthouse from where the directions were given to know the advancements of the enemy. in fact it can be called a watch tower to keep a vigil on the Maval area in the greater province of the Marathas. It is absolutely breathtaking to climb and to have a feeling of the engineering marvel being crafted when there were no engineers like today or even no PWD departments as well. only the foresightedness of the Maratha warrior has been behind the development of the watch tower standing atop the small but sturdy hillock. the stone is a single black expanse reaching till the Peth village standing on the fertile soil with abundant natural resources for water and farming.