Ahivant Fort

Ahivant Fort stands about 55 km from Nashik and is one of the district's important forts; the nearby Achala and Mohandar forts were built to guard it. Held by the Adil Shahis in 1636, it was taken for Shah Jahan by Alivardi Khan, a cavalry officer under Shaista Khan. Shivaji won it in 1670, but Aurangzeb's commanders Mahabat Khan and Diler Khan attacked from both sides so fiercely that it was surrendered to the Mughals. Colonel Prother captured it for the British in 1818.

The base village, Daregaonwani, is 13 km from Vani, itself 44 km from Nashik. A wide, safe but treeless path from the hillock north of the village reaches the gate in about two hours; a shorter route goes from Ahiwantwadi by road to the col and then an hour's climb. The fort spreads across a large flat plateau with a big pond in the middle, ruined storehouses and arches, bastions and cisterns. There is no drinking water on top, but villagers offer meals and overnight stays.