Manikgad

Manikgad, also known as Gadchandur, is a hill fort 507 m above sea level in Jiwati tehsil of Chandrapur district. It was built by the Mana Naga kings and is credited to Gahilu, the last of them; its first name, Manikagad, honoured Manikadevi, the dynasty's patron goddess. A local story attributes it to a Gond king named Mankyal, but the Naga figure carved on the gate lintel, in place of the Gond lion-and-elephant emblem, argues against that. By the close of the 12th century the Nagas owed allegiance to Jajalladeva of Ratanpur.

The fort is built of huge black stone blocks; its tall gateway survives intact. The ramparts enclose a valley holding ruined buildings, storehouses and the outlines of apartments. Part of the southern wall and its bastion has collapsed, and below lies a cannon made of welded iron straps rather than cast iron. The Queen's palace stands by a small stepped dam with bathing rooms. Shrubs and trees cover the site, sheltering panthers, deer, boars and other animals.