Deogarh Fort

This renowned historical fort of Deogarh is located 24 miles south of Mohkhed, Chhindwara. The fort is built on a hill, surrounded by a deep valley with dense reserved forest. The fort is accessible by motor road to its base, and nature here is abundant.

It was the capital of the ‘Gond’ kingdom until the 18th century, boasting great glory and splendor at that time. Today, only the delightful remains of the mighty empire and fort can be found. The Deogarh state was considered the largest tribal state in Central India. Archaeological structures like the palace, fort, and other buildings make it a beautiful tourist destination, reminding us of its past glory. It’s believed that there was a secret underground passage connecting Deogarh to Nagpur, which kings used to escape during emergencies.

Among the fort’s ruins, the main gate facing north speaks volumes of its past grandeur. Additionally, there are the Nagarkhana (a place for cattle drums), scattered remnants of the fort walls, and traces of the Darbar Hall. At the top of the fort is a peculiar reservoir called ‘Mortitanka’. It’s said that at one time, the water collected in the reservoir was so clear that even a coin at the bottom could be seen clearly. It is believed to have been built by King Jatav of the Gond dynasty. The design of the Deogarh Fort is similar to Mughal architecture, leading some historians to believe that the fort was built by Bakht Buland, King Jatav’s successor.