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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox Military Structure
|name = Ahivant Fort
|partof = Ajintha Satmal Hill Range
|location = [[Nashik district]], [[Maharashtra]]
|image = 
|caption = 
|map_type=India Maharashtra
| map_size = 300
|map_caption = Shown within [[Maharashtra]]
|type = Hill fort
|coordinates = {{coord|20|24|55.6|N|73|51|36|E}}
|materials = Stone
|height = 4024Ft.
|used = 
|condition = Ruins 
|ownership = {{flagcountry|India}}Government of India
|open_to_public = Yes
|controlledby =  {{noflag}}[[Ahmadnagar Sultanate|Ahmadnagar]] <small>(1521-1594)</small><br />{{flagcountry|Maratha Empire}} (<small>1670-1676</small>)<br />{{flagicon image|Alam of the Mughal Empire.svg}}Mughal Empire(<small>1676-1754</small>)<br />{{flagcountry|Maratha Empire}} (<small>1754-1818</small>)<br />{{flagcountry|United Kingdom}}
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the British East India Company (1801).svg}} [[East India Company]] (<small>1818-1857</small>)
* {{flagicon image|British Raj Red Ensign.svg}} [[British Raj]] (<small>1857-1947</small>)
{{flagcountry|India}} (<small>1947-</small>)
}}

'''Ahivant Fort''' is a fort located 55km from [[Nashik]], in [[Nashik district]], of [[Maharashtra]]. This fort is an important fort in Nashik district. The three forts Achala, Ahivant, and Mohandar are very close by. The other two forts were constructed to guard the Ahivant fort.<ref name="trekshitiz" />

==History==
In 1636 this fort was under the control of [[Adilshah]]. The [[Mughal Empire|Moghul]] Emperor [[Shahjahan]] send one of his General [[Shaista Khan]] and entrusted to win all the forts in Nashik region. Alivardi khan was cavalier of [[Shaista Khan]] who won the Fort. In 1670 king [[Shivaji]] won the fort from Moghuls. The Moghul Emperor [[Aurangzeb]] sent his chieftain Mahabat Khan to win the fort. Mahabat Khan and Diler Khan opened battle front from either side of the fort. The attack was so fierce that the fort was surrendered to Moghuls. In 1818 the fort was captured by British Colonel Prother.<ref name="trekshitiz" />

==How to reach==
The nearest town is [[Vani]] which is 44 km from [[Nashik]]. The base village of the fort is Daregaonwani which is 13km from Vani. There are good hotels at Vani. The trekking path starts from the hillock north of the Daregoanwani. The route is very safe and wide. There are no trees on the trekking route. It takes about two hours to reach the entrance gate of the fort. The night stay on the fort cannot be made due to lack of potable water on the fort. The villagers from the local village make night stay and food arrangements at a reasonable cost. The other route is from Village ahiwantwadi. This route is the shortest and safe. The motorable road from Daregaon towards Bilawadi helps to reach the col easily and from there a small climb for 1hr can reach the top of the fort.

==Places to see==
The Ahivant fort is occupied on a large flat plateau. All the structures are in ruined state. The ruins of store houses and arches can be seen on the fort. There are some bastions and water cisterns on the fort to be seen. There is a large pond in the middle of the fort. It takes about one hour to encircle the fort.<ref name="trekshitiz">{{cite web |last1=trekshitiz |title=Ahivant fort |url=http://trekshitiz.com/EI/Ahivant-Trek-Medium-Grade.html |website=www.trekshitiz.com |publisher=trekshitiz |access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref>
 

{{Coord|20|24|55.6|N|73|51|36|E|display=title}}

== See also ==
* [[List of forts in Maharashtra]]
* [[List of forts in India]]
* [[Shaista Khan]]
* [[Marathi people|Marathi People]]
* [[List of Maratha dynasties and states]]
* [[Maratha War of Independence]]
* [[Battles involving the Maratha Empire]]
* [[Maratha Army]]
* [[Maratha titles]]
* [[Military history of India]]
* [[List of people involved in the Maratha Empire]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Forts in Maharashtra}}
{{MarathaEmpire}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures of the Maratha Empire]]
[[Category:Forts in Nashik district]]
[[Category:16th-century forts in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Nashik district]]
[[Category:Indian rock-cut architecture]]
[[Category:Former populated places in India]]
[[Category:Hiking trails in India]]
[[Category:Forts in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Backpacking|*]]
 [[Category:Hiking]]