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{{Short description|Fort in India}}
{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=September 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox military installation
|name = Manikgad Fort
|partof = 
|location = [[Chandrapur district]], [[Maharashtra]]
|caption = Fort entrance
|map_type=India Maharashtra#India
|map_size = 
|map_caption = Location Of Manikgad fort19°40′30.6″N 79°07′31.5″E
|type = Hill fort
|coordinates = {{coord|19|40|30.6|N|79|07|31.5|E}}
|built = 
|builder = [[Mana dynasty|Naga king-Gahilu]]
|materials = Stone
|height = 507 MTRS
|used = 
|demolished = 
|condition = Ruins 
|ownership = Government of India
|open_to_public = Yes
|controlledby = {{flagcountry|Maratha Empire}} (<small>1739-1818</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>)
|garrison = 
|current_commander = 
|commanders = 
|occupants = 
|battles = 
|events = 
|image2 = 
|caption2 = 
}}
'''Manikgad''' /  (also called Gadchandur) ({{lang-mr|माणिकगड / गडचांदूर   }}) is an ancient fort in [[Chandrapur district]], [[Maharashtra]]. It is a hill fort 507 metres above sea level built by the [[Mana dynasty|Naga kings]] in 9 CE.<ref name="fof">{{cite web|url=http://www.fortsofsahyadri.friendsofforts.com/list_of_maharashtraforts.htm |title=Friends of Forts |access-date=2009-02-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090405125744/http://www.fortsofsahyadri.friendsofforts.com/list_of_maharashtraforts.htm |archive-date=2009-04-05 }}</ref> The fort is in ruins and is frequented by wild animals that live in the vicinity, such as [[Leopard|panthers]] and [[boars]]. Several monuments of historical importance are nearby.<ref name="gaz">{{cite web|url=http://www.chanda.nic.in/htmldocs/pdf/dgazette2/places_Manikgad.html|title=Chandrapur District Gazetteer|publisher=Government of Maharashtra|access-date=2009-04-10}}</ref>

== History ==
Manikgad was built by the last [[Mana dynasty|Mana Naga King - Gahilu]]. The Mana Nagas settled in this area around 9 CE. Initially, the fort was named Manikagad after the patron deity of the Mana Nagas - Manikadevi - but later on this was shortened to Manikgad.

Local legend holds that the fort was built by a [[Gondi people|Gond]] king named Mankyal (hence the name Manikgad). However, the lintel of the entrance gate has a Naga image carved in relief and not the Gond emblem of a lion and an elephant. So this legend is likely not true.<ref name="gaz" />

== Features ==
The fort was built of large black stones and was a formidable defense in its time. Rampart walls of the fort enclose a valley that has ruins of old buildings and store-houses. Outlines of apartments are visible against the rampart walls. The southern bastion, along with its supporting wall, collapsed.

In the valley below lies a cannon that likely was mounted on that bastion. Unlike a cast-iron cannon, this cannon is made of several iron straps welded together. The gateway of the fort is intact.<ref name="gaz" />

The Queen's palace is situated near a small dam with steps and a few rooms for bathing. Two wooden pagodas were constructed by the Forest Department. The fort area is filled with shrubs and trees.<ref>https://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/CHANDRAPUR/places_Manikgad.html</ref>
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==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Manikgadchanda1.JPG|A Cannon
File:Manikgadchanda2.JPG|The Second gate
File:Manikgadchanda3.JPG|The Queens palace
File:Manikgadchanda4.jpg|The Lake
File:Manikgadchanda5.jpg|A Bastion
File:Manikgadchanda6.jpg|The Observation tower
</gallery>

== References ==

{{reflist}}

{{Forts in Maharashtra}}

[[Category:Forts in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Forts in Vidarbha]]


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