The short answer
Kharda Fort: what visitors should know first
Go if you enjoy quiet, uncrowded forts and Maratha history. It is small and level, about an hour to walk round, but the gate may be locked and the fort has no facilities, so ask in the village for the caretaker.
History and context
The story behind Kharda Fort
A Marathi inscription on the main gate credits Sardar Sultanrao Nimbalkar with building the fort in 1743. Sultan Raje Nimbalkar is recorded as its last ruler. It is also known as Shivpattan or Sultanagad.
The Battle of Kharda was fought on 11 March 1795 between the Maratha confederacy under the Peshwa and the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Nizam's army sheltered in the fort and a treaty followed within days; the Nizam paid a large indemnity and ceded territory. Accounts of the numbers engaged differ.
Useful facts
Kharda Fort facts at a glance
- Location
- Kharda, Jamkhed taluka, Ahilyanagar district
- Experience type
- Ground fort visit
- Known for
- Battle of Kharda, 11 March 1795
- Built
- Nimbalkar family; gate inscription dates it to 1743
- Layout
- Square fort of about three acres, moat and seven bastions
- Also called
- Shivpattan or Sultanagad
Why it matters
Why Kharda Fort is worth your time
Kharda is the site of one of the last great gatherings of the Maratha chiefs. In March 1795, the Peshwa's Maratha forces, led by Parshuram Bhau Patwardhan with Scindia, Holkar and others, defeated the Nizam of Hyderabad's army here. The Nizam's troops, under Assud Ally and supported by the French officer Michel Raymond, took refuge in the fort, and the treaty that followed ceded Daulatabad, Aurangabad and Solapur.
The fort itself was built earlier by the Nimbalkar family, and a Marathi inscription on the main gate credits Sardar Sultanrao Nimbalkar with building it in 1743. It is a rare surviving example of a Deccan ground fort that is still largely complete, with moat, bastions, mosque and stepwell, and visitors rarely crowd it.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The moat and bastions
A full moat and seven bastions make the fort's defence easy to read from the rampart walk.
- 02
The Jama Masjid
A well-preserved mosque on the eastern side, with a Persian inscription and a broken cannon beside it.
- 03
The stepwell
A very deep stepwell, the fort's only water source, shows how a siege would have been survived.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Kharda Fort is easy to miss. The main entrance faces north on the western side and is not visible from the road, so ask in the village for directions. A moat surrounds the whole structure, and a transverse wall with a smaller gate, carrying a Persian inscription, shields the main entrance. The iron gate fitted during restoration is often locked, and the caretaker may be elsewhere in the village.
Inside, most buildings have collapsed. The best-preserved structure is the Jama Masjid on the eastern side, dated by its Persian inscription, with a broken cannon lying beside it. A very deep stepwell, over 100 feet by the published account, was the fort's only water source. Stairs lead up to the ramparts, which you can walk around to see the seven bastions: four at the corners, two beside the gate and one in the outer enclosure.
After the fort, take time in the village. The Nimbalkar mansion, a group of twelve Jyotirlinga temples and the Nimbalkar family memorial in the Omkareshwar temple complex are close by. Plan a morning, carry water, and take your lunch in Jamkhed.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Ask in the village for the caretaker if the gate is locked
- Carry water and snacks; there are no facilities
- Keep away from the open edges of the stepwell
- Allow about an hour for the fort and more for the village
- Confirm access with locals before making the trip
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Kharda village, Jamkhed taluka, Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar) district, near the Shirdi to Hyderabad highway
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Best time
- October to February, in the morning
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The fort is on level ground and the rampart stairs are short, but the interior is uneven and ruined, with little shade or seating. The stepwell is deep and unfenced in places, so keep a safe distance.
- Tickets and access
- No ticket is published. The Archaeological Department restored the fort and fitted an iron gate that is often locked, so you may need to find the local caretaker in the village. Confirm access before you travel.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Kharda Fort
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 on level ground and the rampart stairs are short, but the interior is uneven and ruined, with little shade or seating. The stepwell is deep and unfenced in places, so keep a safe distance.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Who built Kharda Fort?
A Marathi inscription on the main gate credits Sardar Sultanrao Nimbalkar with building it in 1743.
What happened at the Battle of Kharda?
On 11 March 1795 the Marathas, united under the Peshwa, defeated the Nizam of Hyderabad, who had sheltered in the fort. The Nizam paid an indemnity and ceded territory.
Is Kharda Fort easy for elders?
The ground is level and the visit is short, but the interior is ruined and uneven, with no seating. The ramparts need short stair climbs.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
