The short answer
Kandhar Bhuikot Fort: what visitors should know first
Go if you like forts and have a car. It is big, partly ruined and rewarding, with moat, bastions and inscriptions, but it needs a morning and some walking.
History and context
The story behind Kandhar Bhuikot Fort
The district site says Krishna I first built the fort in 758 CE and Krishna III completed it in stone in 941 CE. Wikipedia adds that a Mughal army captured it in 1631 after a 19-day siege.
Useful facts
Kandhar Bhuikot Fort facts at a glance
- Location
- Kandhar taluka, about 45 km from Nanded
- Experience type
- Large moated fort
- Known for
- Moat, 32 bastions, inscriptions, Ambari Cannon
- Built
- 8th to 10th century, Rashtrakuta
- Size
- About 24 acres
Why it matters
Why Kandhar Bhuikot Fort is worth your time
Kandhar is among the oldest forts of the region. Inscriptions credit the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I with an earthen fort in 758 CE and Krishna III with the stone version in 941 CE, and a Mughal army took it after a 19-day siege in 1631 according to Wikipedia.
For travellers whose Nanded trip is all pilgrimage, it adds a different layer: military and court architecture over more than a thousand years, in a quiet rural setting. The combination of earthwork, stone and later Mughal and Nizam additions makes it a compact lesson in Deccan fort building, and few visitors come, so you can see it unhurried.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The moat
A moat about 100 feet wide and 25 feet deep surrounds the fort.
- 02
Ambari Cannon
The largest cannon is made of ashtadhatu.
- 03
Inscriptions
Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit and Prakrit texts survive.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Drive about 45 km to Kandhar and start walking early. The Nanded district site describes a fort of about 24 acres surrounded by a moat roughly 100 feet wide and 25 feet deep, with two layers of fortification, 32 bastions and four gates.
Inside, look for the Queen's Palace, Durbar Hall, Baradari, Jal Mahal, gunpowder store, mosque and granaries. The largest cannon, the Ambari Cannon, is made of ashtadhatu, an eight-metal alloy. Inscriptions in Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit and Prakrit show how many rulers shaped the place.
Carry water, wear sturdy shoes and allow a long morning. The fort rewards slow walking more than a tick-box tour. Allow time to read the inscriptions you can reach and to look for the gateways and bastions from the outside of the moat, which gives the best sense of scale before you go in.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Hire a car for the day
- Carry water and sun protection
- Start early
- Check access before going
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Kandhar, about 45 km from Nanded city
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours plus travel
- Best time
- Morning, October to February
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The fort is large, with uneven ground, long walks between structures and little shade. Not ideal for those with limited mobility or in summer heat.
- Tickets and access
- The district site calls it open to visitors but gives no ticket details; confirm access before travelling.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Kandhar Bhuikot 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 large, with uneven ground, long walks between structures and little shade. Not ideal for those with limited mobility or in summer heat.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How far is Kandhar fort?
About 45 km from Nanded city.
Who built Kandhar fort?
Rashtrakuta kings Krishna I and Krishna III, per inscriptions cited by the district site.
How long to allow?
A long morning, plus travel time.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
