The short answer
Akola Fort (Asadgad): what visitors should know first
Worth a short stop if you are in Akola anyway and enjoy gates and inscriptions. Do not expect a complete fort; much was dismantled in the 19th century. Allow about an hour and combine it with the Raj Rajeshwar temple next door.
History and context
The story behind Akola Fort (Asadgad)
The fort is also known as Korbandh Fort and Asadgad. An inscription credits Govind Appaji with building it in 780 AD, but this conflicts with other inscriptions, and the claim is not widely accepted. Asad Khan attacked and rebuilt the fort in 1697 under Aurangzeb, and it was renamed Asadgad.
In 1803, Arthur Wellesley camped here before the Battle of Argaon. The British dismantled the fort around 1870, and a 1910 gazetteer recorded its central hall being used as a school.
Useful facts
Akola Fort (Asadgad) facts at a glance
- Location
- Morna River bank, central Akola
- Experience type
- Ruined fort with gates and inscriptions
- Known for
- Dahi Handa gate inscription, Fateh Buruj bastion, Eidgah
- Rebuilt
- 1697 under Asad Khan (Aurangzeb's reign)
- Condition
- Dilapidated; much dismantled c. 1870
- Time or schedule
- Hours not published; confirm locally
Why it matters
Why Akola Fort (Asadgad) is worth your time
Akola Fort shows how Mughal power was organised in Berar in the late 17th century. Its inscriptions give rare fixed dates and names for a fort whose earlier history is disputed, and they place Asad Khan at the centre of its rebuilding.
It is also a piece of 1803 history: the future Duke of Wellington camped here before the Battle of Argaon during the Second Anglo-Maratha War. Even in ruins, the fort anchors the old city of Akola.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Dahi Handa gate
The inscription dates the rebuilding to 1697 and names Asad Khan.
- 02
Fateh Buruj bastion
A surviving bastion with an undated inscription naming the same minister.
- 03
Eidgah
An inscription records the completion of the rebuilding in 1698.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Approach the fort from the Raj Rajeshwar temple side, since the temple is the easiest landmark to ask for. What remains is the stretch along the Morna River, with gates and a bastion, rather than the full ring of walls that once stood here.
Look for the Dahi Handa gate and its inscription, dated 1114 AH (1697 CE), which names Asad Khan, the Mughal minister who rebuilt the fort. The Fateh Buruj bastion carries an undated inscription naming the same minister, and the Agarves gate has a Marathi inscription crediting Govind Appaji. The fort is plain, with no decoration, and the Eidgah inside carries a further inscription of 1698.
Keep expectations modest and treat it as a quick, atmospheric stop in the old city. The river beside it is in poor condition, so do not plan a riverside walk. Combine it with the Raj Rajeshwar temple and a walk through the nearby lanes.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Ask for the Raj Rajeshwar temple as the easiest landmark
- Wear sturdy shoes; surfaces are uneven
- Go early or late to avoid heat
- Do not expect a riverside walk; the river is in poor condition
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Banks of the Morna River, central Akola, about 3 km from the railway station
- Time needed
- About 1 hour
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon; October to February
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The fort is in the city, with level approaches, but surfaces are uneven, shade is limited and there are few places to sit. A car or auto to the gate keeps the effort low.
- Tickets and access
- The fort is described as open to the public. Entry fees, if any, and hours are not published; confirm locally. It is in a dilapidated state.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Akola Fort (Asadgad)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The fort is in the city, with level approaches, but surfaces are uneven, shade is limited and there are few places to sit. A car or auto to the gate keeps the effort low.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Why is it called Asadgad?
It was renamed after Asad Khan, who rebuilt it in 1697.
Is it open to the public?
It is described as open, but fees and hours are not published; confirm locally.
How much of the fort remains?
Only parts: gates, a bastion and the Eidgah, as much was dismantled around 1870.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
