Kandhar Fort

Kandhar Fort, also known as Kandhar Khilla or Bhuikot Fort, is a historic hill fort located in Kandhar town of Nanded district, Maharashtra. Originally constructed by Rashtrakuta King Krishna III in the 10th century, it features two layers of fortification, 32 bastions, and a protective water moat. The site contains ruins of palaces, an ancient Idgah, and inscriptions in multiple languages, serving as a significant archaeological and historical landmark in the Deccan region.

Visitors can explore extensive black stone fortifications surrounded by a deep water-filled moat and enter through historic gates like Jinsi and Machali. Inside the 24-acre complex, one can view ruins of the Queen’s Palace, Durbar Hall, Jal Mahal, and granaries alongside ancient cannons including the Ambari Cannon. The site offers panoramic views of the Deccan landscape and contains inscriptions in Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Prakrit reflecting its multi-dynastic history.

Originally built by Rashtrakuta King Krishna I in 758 CE and completed in stone by Krishna III in 941 CE, the fort served as a key military and administrative hub. It was captured by the Mughal army under Nasiri Khan in 1631 after a 19-day siege, an event depicted in the Padshahnama. The fort later passed through Yadava, Tughlaq, Bahmani, Nizam Shahi, Maratha, and British control.

The fort contains inscriptions in Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Prakrit, reflecting its diverse cultural and administrative history across Hindu and Islamic dynasties. It houses an Ancient Idgah and various structural remains that illustrate the synthesis of Indo-Islamic architectural styles in the Deccan region.