Durgadi Fort

Durgadi Fort is a historic hill fort located in Kalyan West, Thane district, Maharashtra. Originally built during the Maratha period and later modified by the British, it served as a strategic military outpost overlooking the Ulhas River. The fort features remnants of ramparts, bastions, and a lighthouse. It is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India and offers panoramic views of Kalyan city and surrounding creeks.

Visitors can explore the ruins of an 18th-century hill fort including stone ramparts, bastions, and a functioning lighthouse at the summit. The site provides elevated views of Kalyan city, the Ulhas River, and nearby industrial areas. Interpretive signage from the Archaeological Survey of India outlines the fort’s history. The terrain involves uneven stone steps and pathways suitable for light walking and photography.

Durgadi Fort was originally constructed by the Marathas in the 18th century as part of their coastal defense network. After the Anglo-Maratha Wars, the British East India Company took control and added a lighthouse in the early 19th century to aid navigation on the Ulhas River. The fort played a role in regional military logistics and riverine trade surveillance.

The fort is recognized as a heritage landmark symbolizing Kalyan’s historical importance as a port and trading center. It is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India and serves as an educational site for local schools and history enthusiasts interested in Maratha and colonial-era architecture.