| Ballalgad |
FortHeight : 500 m |
| Type : Hill forts |
Fort Range : Palghar |
| District : Palghar |
Grade : Easy |
| Segava and Ballalgad forts are situated in Talasari Taluka, Palghar district on the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra near the Mumbai - Ahmedabad national highway. This fort was built on a small hill near Kaalji village. Compared to the other forts stituated nearby, the climb to Ballalgad is easy. Anyone can reach on the top of the fort in due course of time, since the fort is too close to the village Kaalji and of mere height. The visitors can visit and explore both Segava and Ballalgad in a single day. One can see many huge trees called ‘GHORAKH CHINCHA’ (African Baobab) in this vicinity. It is believed that the Portuguese had brought these trees in India in the form of saplings and planted them all-around the area around the fort. |
| History : |
| The ancient name of Kelwe-Mahim was Matsyamat, which turned in to Mahakavati and finally as it was renamed as Mahim. From the ancient times, Pratapabimba, the king of Daman ruled the areas expanding from Daman to Valukeshwar (today’s Mumbai). He established his kingdom on the coastal areas and declared Mahakavati as the capital of his empire. It is believed that Ballalgad was built in king Pratapabimba’s regime. In 14th century, this fort went in to the custody of the Sultan of Gujarat. Further, this fort including the nearby areas was ruled by the fishermen kings of Ramanagara. In between the years 1972 -1977, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj sent Shri Moropant to north of Konkan with 6000 Maratha troops. Eventually on 1977 the area of Ramanagara came into Maratha regime and finally this fort was merged into Swarajya. From 1683, Ballalgad fort was under the rule of Portuguese and Ramanagara. Further, in 1739 during the Vasai campaign the fort was drawn by Chimaji Appa and Krishnaji Mahadev Chaskar took Segava fort along with the Ballalgad fort. Again in 1754 the forts went to the power of Ramanagara. In 1802 according to the treaty, both these forts went in to the regime of Peshwas. In 1871 Ballalgad fort was won by the Anglo ruler Goddard and his army. |
| Geography : |
| The fort is situated to the north of Palghar district and to the east of Dahanu. Ballalgad is surrounded by Ghambhirgad and Asheri fort. |
| Fascinating Spots : |
On the top of Ballalgad, you will see a stone monument of the martyrs, also known as Veergahl in Marathi. Compared to the other structures this stone monument is different in many aspects. It depicts a mighty soldier riding a horse. The horse is of a special breed called ‘Kathiyawari’. It has a carving of Sun and Moon, which gives it an interesting look. It’s really worth watching such beautiful monuments that have been made in honor of the mighty soldiers who laid their lives in war.
The highest point of Ballalgad has been built with four bastions (buruj) and the fort parapet wall, which are still intact. The fort wall measures up to 15 feet in height and 5 feet in width. It has been built with huge stones. One can see two major reservoirs, which have dried over the period of time. No one is sure of the purpose these reservoirs were made for, whether it was meant to save water, food or ammunitions.
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| Ways To Reach : |
Kaalji is a village at the foothill of Ballalgad fort. To visit this fort you need to travel around 130 kms by the Mumbai - Ahmedabad national highway and reach Talasari. Further to it the village Kaalji is at a distance of 19 kms (from Mumbai it’s 149 kms). However, there is no signboard located on the roadside to locate this village. It can be recognized through a road on the left side of the highway which leads to a local village school. The hill opposite to this school has the way to reach Ballalgad fort.
If you wish to expedite by Train, you need to go to any one of these railway stations as - Talasari, Achhad, Bhilad or Sanjan. Further you can board an auto or a private van which will drop you till the Kaalji village. After a walk of 5 minutes you will reach the local school which will finally take you to the hill which goes towards the fort.
You will notice a bore well near the school; the water of this bore well is safe for drinking. It’s advisable to a carry ample stock of drinking water as there is no water available on the fort.
Ballalgad is on the hill right behind the Kaalji village. There is a huge tree ‘GHORAKH CHICHA’ (African Baobab) near the local school, there a narrow way on the right of this tree which needs to be avoided. Alternately, you need to continue walking through the trails on the left side which will help you to reach the top of the fort in just 10-15 minutes.
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| Accommodation Facility : |
| Available in Kaalji village. |
| Food Facility : |
| Nil. Available in the hotels on the highway. |
| Drinking Water Facility : |
| Nil |
| Time To Reach : |
| 10-15 minutes from base village. |
| Best Season To Visit : |
| September to March |
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