Thalner Fort, the capital center of the Khandesh region is on the Surat-Burhanpur trade route in Maharashtra.
This fort has seen it all, from glorious reigns to sorry conditions due to inattentiveness by the locals and government authorities. The only thing it hasn’t seen is a good scrub down and a facelift. But let’s not dwell on the negative.
Built on the banks of the Tapi River, this triangular-shaped fort was fortified with towers and a wall on one side, while the river formed its natural protection on the other. It’s like they say, location is everything.
Now, let’s get to the juicy bits. Thalner has been conquered more times than a slice of pizza at a Super Bowl party. In 1370 A.D., Ferozeshah Tughlak won the area of Khandesh and appointed Malikraja Faruki to administer the region of Gujarat. Thalner was made his capital center. But, wouldn’t you know it, the very next year, the Sultan of Gujarat attacked Malikraja and captured his territory, forcing him to take refuge in Thalner fort. I guess he knew a good location when he saw one.
Things didn’t get any easier for Thalner after Malikraja’s death in 1497 A.D. His second son took control, against the will of the first son. In true Game of Thrones fashion, the first son attacked Thalner with the support of the Sultan of Malwa, taking control in 1417 A.D. In 1418 A.D., the Sultan of Gujarat, Mohammed Begada, captured Thalner and looted the nearby provinces. Can’t they just leave Thalner alone?
In 1600 A.D., Akbar defeated the King of Khandesh Miran Mohammed and took control of the fort. This was a prosperous time for Thalner, as it was a vital part of the Surat-Burhanpur trade route. But, like all good things, it came to an end when the Peshwas took over the fort in 1750 A.D., handing it over to the Holkars, who then passed it on to the Nimbalkars in 1800 A.D. However, the Holkars took it back the very next year. It’s like a game of hot potato, but with a fort.
Things really took a turn in 1818 A.D. when the British General Sir Thomas Hissop tried to conquer the fort. This is known as one of the bloodiest conquests in history, with around 250 Maratha and 25 British soldiers being killed in the war. The fort may be in ruins now, but it definitely has a story to tell.
While there’s not much left to see on the fort, there are two places to visit in the village of Thalner. The first is Jamadar Wada, a small fort-like structure with four 12-foot high bastions on the four corners. The entrance door is 20 feet high and studded with nails, making it a perfect deterrent for any would-be attackers. The houses inside have beautiful wooden carved windows and other parts.
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