Kothaligad, also known as Peth Fort, is located 21km northeast of Karjat near the village of Peth. The small fort has an illustrious history, serving as an important ammunition storage site during Sambhaji's era. In 1684, Mughal forces captured the fort after tricking the Marathas guarding it. They held it for over a year before the Marathas recaptured it. The fort offers scenic views of the surrounding area and has caves and water cisterns within. It can be accessed via a tiring pathway from Peth village.

1. शे स
Trekkers of Sahyadri
Trekkers of Sahyadri पेठचा िकल्ला
present
Elevation 3,100 ft
Location Karjat

2. Vangani
Neral
Route‐1
Via Neral Ambivali
Kashele Dhamani
Route‐2: Peth
Via Karjat Kothali gad
Route 1: Powai Airoli Bridge Shil Phata MIDC Vangani Neral Kashele Ambivali Dhamani Peth
Route‐1: Powai‐Airoli Bridge‐Shil Phata‐ MIDC ‐Vangani‐Neral‐Kashele‐Ambivali‐Dhamani‐Peth Village
Route‐2: Powai‐Airoli‐Express Way‐Diversion before Khopoli‐Karjat ‐Kashele‐Ambivali‐Dhamani‐Peth Village

3. Ambivali
From
Kashele
Dhamani
Neral
Peth
Kothali gad

5. Kothaligad or Peth
Peth, also known as ‘Kothaligad’, is situated in Shahapur Taluka, approximately 21Km North East of Karjat. This fort stands
tall in the company of various other forts like Rajmachi, Dhak, Siddhagad and Bhimashankar, a witness to our illustrious
history.
Kothaligad is more commonly known as the fort of Peth because the village of Peth is situated at its base. This fort though
small in stature has a vast historical background. This fort was more of a ‘defense station’ than a strong fort. Peth was
mainly used for ammunition storage. Peth gained importance during Sambhaji’s era.
History :
History :
Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb ordered his warriors ‘Abdul Kadar’ and ‘Ali Biradarkani’ in November 1684 to capture the forts
belonging to Sambhaji’s empire. Control over fort means control over Kokan region. As soon as they came to know that
arms and weapons were traded here, a group of 300 gunmen reached the base in November 1684. The Marathas forced
most of them back, but some still managed to reach the ‘Magarkot Dwar’ and started shouting ‘open the door’.
The Marathas inside the fort opened the door on the assumption that these shouting Mughals were ‘own men’ who came
for picking up the weapons for war. The Mughals immediately rushed in and the battle started. They could win the battle
with help of ‘Mankoji Pandhere’.
The next day, the Marathas surrounded the fort. Abdul Kadar’s position became critical. The ammunition in the fort was
destroyed and used in the battle. Although the Mughals were occupying the fort, they were helpless as the Marathas looted
destroyed and used in the battle. Although the Mughals were occupying the fort, they were helpless as the Marathas looted
ammunition and food sent to them at their base camp, on its way. About 10‐12 days later, Abdul Aziz Khan sent his son
Abdul Khan to help Abdul Kadar. But Maratha Sardar Naroji Tryambak was hiding in the valley to prevent him to approach
the fort. When another war broke, the Marathas lost and Naroji was killed. Ehmat Khan capitulated Naroji and hung his
head right in the middle of the road.
Now, the Mughals had total control over the fort. The Golden keys of main door of the fort were sent to Aurangzeb as a
N th M h l h d t t l t l th f t Th G ld k f i d f th f t tt A b
symbol of victory. After confirming the victory, he rewarded Abdul Khan. The Mughals renamed the fort as ‘Miftahulfateh’,
meaning victory key.
The Marathas continued their efforts to conquer the fort. In December 1684, the Marathas tried to stop Mughals moving
towards the fort. Seven thousand Marathas constituted a strong battalion and fought with Mahamatkhan. But success was
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far away. In April 1685, 700 Marathas attacked again. About 200 of them climbed the fort with the help of rope ladders.
Battle started between two parties and a lot of blood shaded. The goddess of victory again favored the Mughals and the
Marathas lost the battle and the fort.
After 130 years in November 1817, Bapurao, a Maratha Sardar with Bajirao II fought with British and won the fort.

6. Kothaligad or Peth
Fascinating Spots :
The pinnacle of the Peth can be seen from the village. It looks like a filed surface. On reaching
the top of the fort, we see caves carved in huge rocks. The first one is the cave of Goddess,
besides which is a water cistern and the last one is the specious Bhairoba cave. A flat floor and
well sculpted pillars are specialty of the cave. Along the Bhairoba cave, steps are carved leading
well‐sculpted pillars are specialty of the cave. Along the Bhairoba cave, steps are carved leading
the pinnacle.
Four –Five potholes and some canon balls are scattered in the fort. Kalwawantinicha Mahal,
Nagfani, Siddhagad, Malanggad, Chanderi, Prabalgad, Manikgad, and Matheran all these
surrounding historical places are visible from top of the fort Peth.
di hi t i l l i ibl f t f th f t P th
Ways To Reach :
One has to board ST bus for Ambivali via Kashele or from Karjat railway station on Mumbai‐Pune
route. The distance from Karjat to Ambivali is about 30 Kms. A road leads to village Peth from
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Ambivali. A tiring pathway leads to the fort door from village Peth. The pathway pierces through
lush green trees and we can refresh ourselves with the lovingly smelled flowers and tasty fruits.
On can get down at Neral, another railway station on Mumbai‐Pune route and reach Kashele
by local conveyance and catch bus for Ambivali from there.
by local conveyance and catch bus for Ambivali from there
Ambivali to Peth – 2 hours, Peth village to top of the fort – 1 hour
Accommodation Facility :
The cave on the fort is the best place to spend a night.
Drinking Water Facility :
There are many a cisterns and tanks on the fort, but the one near the cave is reliable.

10. Adarsh and Chetan

11. Adarsh and Chetan

12. Chetan

13. Adarsh and Sandesh

14. Dinner

15. Adarsh – gazing stars

16. The crowd, half asleep
at 2AM

17. Adarsh, Sandesh and
Adarsh

18. Chetan

19. Chetan and Rajeev

20. Good place at
Ambivali for night
y
stay and food
09226093034
0214‐8683313

22. Adarsh, Rajeev and Soumya having morning tea

23. Sandesh doing van vihar

24. Sandesh enjoying van vihar

25. Bharadwaj

26. Rajeev, Chetan and Adarsh basking

27. Good photograph

28. Sandesh, Chetan and Adarsh

29. Adarsh and Sandesh

30. Adarsh and Sandesh

31. Adarsh and Sandesh

32. Kothaligad

33. Kothaligad as viewed from village Dhamani

34. Good photo
by Sandesh

35. Dhamani village woman

36. Sandesh with (ex) polic patil of Peth – Mr. Sawant
The Car was parked here.

37. Contact at Peth Village at the base of Kothaligad
Can arrange food during the trek

39. Starting from Dhamani village. Travel by car not possible.

68. Mr. Sawant’s house at Peth – stop for water and food

69. Soumya
Adarsh’s i ht
Ad h’ right eye

71. Good photo

72. Shrike by Soumya

73. Indian Robin by Soumya

74. Kothaligad pinnacle

75. Peth village – neat and clean

76. Hanuman Mandir in Peth village

79. A village boy

81. Hibiscus (Jaswandi)

99. Good place for night stay. Drinking water also available.

108. Road to top of pinnacle in carved within

157. Un spoilt
Un hurried
Un touched
Un confined
Un expected
Un conquered
Un paralleled
Un paralleled
Un matched
Un stressed
Un stressed
Un limited
Standing as silent sentinels to history are the 350‐odd forts of Maharashtra. Beaten by
g y y
the sea waves, lashed at by the torrential Deccan rains, or scorched in the blazing sun,
stand imposing ramparts and crumbling walls , the last lingering memories of
Maharashtra's martial times. Nowhere in the country would you encounter such a
profusion of forts. And such variety. Sited on an island, or guarding the seas or among
the Sahyadri hills, whose zig‐zag walls and rounded bastions sit like a scepter and
crown amidst hills turned mauve.