Tikona (Marathi: तिकोना ) also...
Tikona (Marathi:
तिकोना) also known as
Vitandgad) is the dominant
hill fort in
Maval in western
India. It is located near
Kamshet around 60 km from
Pune.
The village nearest to the fort is called Tikona-Peth. The 3500 ft high
hill is pyramidal in shape and the name Tikona means "triangle".
The fort is a trekking destination noted for the large doors, the
temple of 'Trimbakeshwar Mahadev', a water tanks (seven water tanks) and
some Satvahan caves. Trek organisers also commend the views of Pawna
dam and the nearby forts of
Tung,
Lohagad and
Visapur. There is Pawana lake at the summit.
History
Little is known about the origins of this fort. There is a
vihara on the fort datable to circa seventh-eight centuries A.D.
[2] Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah I of the Nizam Shahi dynasty conquered the fort in 1585 and annexed it to the Nizam territory. In 1657,
Shivaji Maharaj brought the whole of
Konkan, which had been Nizam territory, under his control when he conquered Tikona along with the forts of
Karnala,
Lohgad,
Mahuli, Songad,
Tala, and
Visapur. This fort was a strategic nexus: the centre of control for the entire Pawana Mawal region. In 1660, Dhamale family, the
Deshmukhs
from Maval region were charged with ensuring the security of fort
Tikona. Jaysingh invaded the region in 1665 and attacked the local
villages but the forts held out. Tikona fort was surrendered to the
Mughal warrior Kubadkhan, who had attacked the region together with Halal Khan and others, according to the
Treaty of Purandar signed on 12 June 1665. Kubad Khan took over the fort on 18 June but it was later recaptured by the
Marathas.
Sources:
thedriftingwanderers.blogspot.in
maajhibhatkanti.wordpress.com
kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com
adidatar.files.wordpress.com
trekkerpedia.com
Map:
