Fort State: In ruins, though Three gates, temples and bastions are in good state
Base at: Solapur
Difficulty: Easy
Endurance: Easy
Camping: Not allowed.
Nearby Tourist places: Shri Siddheshwar temple, Mahatma Gandhi Zoo .
Maintained By: ASI
Entry Fee: ₹ 15
Visiting hours: 9 AM to 5 PM
History: It was built from stones in the 14th century during Bahamani sultanate. It was later ruled by Marathas and Nizams. It was defended by layers of fortifications, a moat with 30 meter width surrounding the fort on the three sides and 23 bastions.
Solapur fort is a land fort in the city of Solapur. It is just beside Shri Siddheshwar temple. Since it is built on the land, unlike other forts in Maharashtra which are on mountains, this will be a simple walk and people of all ages can visit. There is a drinking water and toilet facility inside. The fort has been declared as monument of national importance by Archaeological survey of India (ASI).
The entry to the fort is from western side. The main gate of the fort lies on northern side but entry is not allowed from there. We bought the tickets and went inside through this small gate. Tickets were verified by the security guard before letting us in.
Just in the front, we saw two cannons placed. These belong to Britishers and we can see their mark engraved on it.
A signboard depicts that there was a garden developed in the premises in the year 1989. I took right turn and started exploring the fort.
There is a bastion and stairs can be used to go on its top. We can clearly see double layered fortification. Beside this bastion, there are many locked rooms.
There is enough space on the fortification and we can even walk along this over the entire fort. It is little broken in between so be careful.
An old structure.
There is another bastion on this side which has a pole on the top for flag hoisting.
This bastion is the highest point on the fort. There are proper steps to go up. On one of the pillars, lion has been carved out. From here, we can see beautiful Shri Siddheshwar temple and the lake adjacent to it.
After getting down, we saw a small well with walls.
Moving ahead, we saw these sculptures of Elephant and Flowers in the wall.
There is a board ahead which shows the way to a temple and a well. But the path has been locked by a gate and we cannot go from this side of the fort.
If we climb up the nearby bastion, we can see it.
Going ahead, there is a Mosque. It has many columns inside.
All the columns have uniform carvings on them. The structure inside looks amazing.
Further on this way, there is a Shiva temple. It must have been built from a single rock but now it is in ruins and there is a iron fence on it. There are delicate and beautiful carvings made on the pillars.
There is a Shivaling below the cover.
Just left to this temple, there is a way which takes us to Mahakal Darwaja. There are two minarets on the top, two carved lions and empty space which could have housed inscription. The entry is within the arch.
Just beside the gate, there are temples of Lord Mahakaleshwar and Shanaishwar.
Beside the temple, we could see some ancient sculptures.
There is also an inscription on the rock in Modi script language.
There is second gate of the fort known as Khoti Darwaza, it has wooden door. On the top there are two lions, Persian inscription and two minarets on the top. Also there are some windows.
After this gate, there is a huge open area. There are some arch like structure with holes.
It could have been used to keep guns for the attack.
After this there is the main gate of the fort also called as Revani Darwaza. This is also a wooden door but fitted with iron plates and bolts on the outer side.
Adjacent to this huge door, there is a small door which must have been used for people movement.
After crossing main gate, we could see the well and rock made wall surrounding it. This is called as Nagmodi vihir. There is a small bridge over the water flowing down here.
A goddess sculpture on the outer wall of the fort.
Further ahead, there is a gate. Outside the gate, there are two vertical pillars which look very old. But this gate is closed.
This completed our exploration of the fort. There are four recent tanks built around the garden but its not maintained.
You can also watch the vlog here.
Leave only your footprints, Take back only pleasant memories.