Ankai Fort

Ankai Fort is a historic hill fort located in the Satmala Range near Manmad in Nashik district, Maharashtra. Built around the 11th century by the Yadava dynasty of Devagiri, it served as a strategic outpost guarding the Surat-Aurangabad trade route. The site features well-preserved fortification walls, ancient rock-cut Jain caves with intricate carvings, and panoramic views of the surrounding plains. It forms a twin fort complex with the adjacent Tankai Fort.

Visitors can explore a moderately challenging trek involving approximately 600 stone steps leading to fortified gateways and a tabletop plateau. At the base and lower cliffs, there are 11th-century rock-cut Jain cave temples featuring sculptures of Tirthankaras and Yakshas. On the summit, remnants include a dilapidated palace, rock-cut water cisterns, the Kashi Talav reservoir, and viewpoints offering vistas of the Satmala range and Manmad plains. The trail is wide and generally safe for beginners.

Originally constructed in the 11th century by the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty of Devagiri to monitor the Surat-Aurangabad trade route. Captured by Mughal General Khan Khanan in 1635, came under Maratha control after the Treaty of Bhalki in 1752, and was finally taken by the British in 1818.

The site houses significant 11th-12th century Jain rock-cut cave temples excavated during the Yadava period, featuring sculpted mandapas and idols of Lord Mahavira and Parshvanatha that represent an important intersection of Jain and Hindu artistic traditions in medieval Maharashtra.