Achala Fort is the westernmost fort in the Satmala hill range and it is 55 km from Nashik, in the Nashik district, of Maharashtra. The Achala fort is a part of the Ajanta Satmala range. The height of Achala Fort is 800 feet (0.24 kilometers) i.e. 244 meters above sea level.
This fort is adjoining the Ahivant Fort. The three forts Achala, Ahivant, and Mohandar are very close by. The Achala and Mohandar forts were constructed to guard the Ahivant fort. Captain Briggs has described it as a large hill, whose ascent is very easy till it reaches the top where it is very steep.
History of Achala Fort
In 1636 this fort was under the control of Adilshah. The Moghul Emperor Shahjahan send one of his General Shaista Khan and entrusted him to win all the forts in the Nashik region. Alivardikhan was cavalier of Shaista Khan who won the Fort.
In 1670 king Shivaji Maharaj won the fort from Moghuls. The Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb sent his chieftain Mahabat Khan to win the fort. Mahabat Khan and DilerKhan opened the battlefront from either side of the fort.
The attack was so fierce that the Ahivant fort was surrendered to Moghuls. Subsequently, the Achala fort was also surrendered. In 1818 the fort was surrendered to Colonel Briggs along with other 17 forts after the fall of Trymbak fort.
Places to Visit on Achala Fort
There are two water caves in the fort out of which there is water with one and the other one is empty. There is also a stone which is a hero stone painted in shenduri (orange color). It is around 7 feet (2.13 m) which makes it the longest and biggest stone. Achala fort has also another base village which is Pimpriwadi or “Dagad Pimpri”.
The Achala fort is occupied on a small hill. There are a few ruins of buildings, storehouses, and water tanks that can be seen on the fort. It takes about half an hour to encircle the fort.
Best Time to visit Achala Fort
Any time you can visit Achala fort. The fort is open 24 Hrs to the general public on all days of the week. One has to show their ID to enter the fort and for foreign nationals, a passport is mandatory. It comes under Maharashtra tourism and the department also promotes the heritage site. This fort is a must-visit place if you are going on a Maharashtra tour.