Manohar-Mansantosh forts are twin forts, separated by a pass and are located in the stunning Amboli Ghat. The Manohar Fort is in ruins but is an easy climb, while the Mansantosh Gad is a cone and will require some effort to scale. Just remember to avoid visiting during the four months of monsoon, unless you’re into getting soaked to the bone!
Now, let’s talk about the places to check out on the fort. The first entrance is where the paths from Shivapur and Gothnewadi meet, and there’s only one bastion of this entrance that still stands today. But don’t worry, there’s plenty more to see! Just past the bastion, there are some concrete steps that lead up to the fort. On the right, you’ll see a cliff, while on the left, there’s a deep ravine. It’s like the fort designers were saying, “No enemy soldiers allowed!” This fort is impregnable, folks.
Once you make it up the steps and climb over some ruins, you’ll come across an abandoned castle and a well. Be sure to check out the palace on the high hill, which has two halls named the Main Darwaza and Dindi/Chor Darwaza. Unfortunately, the wooden pillars, door frames, beams, and roof of the palace have long since disappeared, but you can still see the notches made in the stone walls for them. And hey, if you’re in the mood for some divine intervention, be sure to visit the idols of the deities that are placed under an audumbara tree.
As you continue your journey towards Mansantosh Fort, you’ll see the ruins of many structures. It’s easy to imagine that this place was once bustling with people. And when you reach the end of the Manohar Fort, you’ll get an amazing view of the valley between the two forts and the Mansantosh Fort itself.
Finally, when you reach the western end of the fort, you’ll get a great view of a bastion on the lower side of the ridge. It’s almost like the fort is spreading its wings like an eagle.
Now, how do you get to this amazing place? You can take the “nose” route from Sawantwadi on the Sawantwadi-Amboli road. From there, head to Khalchi Dhabkadi, where you’ll find a left-hand road to Shirshinge village. Gothvewadi is a wadi of Shirshinge village, and there’s a paved road leading all the way there.
From Gothvewadi, take the dirt road to Shivapur. About 4 km from Gothvewadi, you’ll see a path leading to the hill on the left side. It’s a steep climb, but totally worth it. Just be careful not to slip on the soil falling on the steps.
As for the history of this place, no one knows who built the fort, but Shivaji Maharaj likely repaired it at some point. In 1667, he stayed at the fort for 34 days after lifting the siege of Rangana Fort. The control of the fort later went to the Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur, and there were some rebellions that they had to deal with.
It is believed that this fort was built or repaired by Shivaji. Shivaji entered this area on 11 April 1667 to lift the siege of Rangana fort. After lifting the siege of Rangana fort, he arrived to this fort on 13 May 1667. He stayed here for 34 days till June 15, 1667.Later, the control of Manohar-Mansantosh fort passed to the Chhatrapati of Kolhapur. In 1834, the fort garrison (gadkar) revolted against the Chatrapati which was again demolished by sending a chieftain. later due to regular cases of mutiny, Ch. Shahaji Maharaj (Buwa Maharaj) himself captured the fort on1936, it is recorded that he arrested the culprits and took back 2 guns from the fort. After the death of Ch. Shahaji Maharaj (Buwa Maharaj) in 1838, the gadkars again revolted against the fort, The then Chhatrapati sent his chiefs to break it, he suppressed the rebellion and gave asylum to the rebels. In the rebellion against the British in 1844, Manohar-Mansantosh fort brought the British to knees. Fonda Sawant Tambulkar, the mastermind of this rebellion, kidnapped Yuvraj Anasaheb of Sawantwadi Sansthan from the palace of Sawantwadi and brought him to this fort and recovered ransome from the surrounding area in his name. The rebels also started their own ammunition factory in the vicinity of Manohar fort. The goods were sent to the forts like Samangad, Rangana etc. to fight against the British Army. Due to all these incidents, the British sent General Della Monty and Colonel Autram to quell the revolt at Manohar Fort. The fort walls were shattered by the bullets fired by them. On January 26, 1845, the rebels fled the fort. The British demolished the steps of Manohar-Mansantoshgad fort.
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