Visapur -Brother of Lohagad fort

 

Introduction

Visapur , also  referred as Sambalgad is a fort located in the  state of Maharashtra. Leaving Lonavla on the way from Mumbai to Pune, the Lohgad-Visapur twin attracts the attention of climbers. When you get off at Malwali railway station, you can see Lohgad. However, Visapur fort hidden behind the hill can be seen only after visiting Bhaje village.Like Lohagad, Visapur fort protects Khandala (Bor) ghat.

It was built during 1713-1720 CE by Balaji Vishwanath, the first Peshwa of Maratha Empire.Visapur fort was built much later than Lohagad but the histories of the two forts are closely linked.

In 1818, when reducing the Peshwa’s forts, the strength of Lohagad and its fame as the treasury of the Maratha kingdom, caused the English to make special preparations for its attack. A detachment of 380 European and 800 native soldiers, with a battering train, summoned from Konkan, were joined by artillery from Chakan, and two other British battalions. On 4 March 1818, Visapur was attacked and occupied.

Making use of its higher elevation and proximity to Lohagad, the British troops set up their cannons on Visapur and bombarded Lohagad, forcing the Marathas to flee. Thus, in 1818, Lohagad-Visapur was taken over by the British in 1818 AD and placed under the command of a Colonel Prother. Considering, the strategic importance of Visapur, both the north (Konkan) and the south (Deccan) gateways were blown up, and except a few huts, nothing was left standing.In contrast, most of Lohagad fort is still intact.

About Visapur

Visapur,is at an altitude of 3600 ft above sea level, this fort is located at the very top of the Bhave Leni, south of the Malvali railway station. 

How to get there?

Three ways to get to this fort. A bhaje cave will go to the neighboring stream. The other north is Patan which climbs over us, while between Lohgad-Visapur it goes up through Gaimukh gorge to Visapur.

Once you stary climbing ,you will find at north there is Delhi Darwaza ,gate of the entry of  the fort through the Delhi Dawarja and south  gate through the konkan Darwaza.The funny thing is that these Delhi and Konkan darwaza are not seen here even today.  These gates have never been attacked by the British. We entered the fort through the Delhi Darwaza. The six feet high carved Hanuman seen on this path and Ganesha on Kothi should be worshiped.

Visapur is composed of a large plateau and a small hill in the middle of Balekilla. As soon as he comes up, Lohgad, the elder brother of Visapur, says goodbye. 

There is a well which local legend says was built by the Pandavas.[3] In 1885, near the north wall there was an iron gun ten feet long and of four-inch bore, marked with the Tudor Rose and Crown, flanked by the letters E. R. This is probably a gun of Queen Elizabeth's reign probably taken as bounty from an English ship and presented to the Peshwa by Kanhoji Angre or some other commander of the Maratha Navy. Like other guns on the fort it has been disabled by breaking off its trunnions. Close to it are the remains of an old Mahadev shrine.[3]

Stairs of Visapur in mansoon

Overall experience:

The Visapur Fort trek, being of moderate difficulty level, is a good excursion option for beginners. There are three routes to the top – one from Patan Village, one from Bhaje Caves and the third one from Gaimukh Khind. Depending on which route you follow, it will take between one and two hours to get to Visapur Fort. Given the absence of accommodation options, staying the night is usually not an option and the trek is usually planned as a day trip from either Mumbai or Pune. If you do intend to make a longer trip of it, there are some limited options in Lohagad village, at the base of Visapur. Food and refreshments too follow the same pattern. With absolutely no food stalls on the way up to the Fort, packing a tiffin and water bottle with you is recommended – though at the base of the trek you will find eating joints and shacks that serve refreshments.

-by Bharati parab