The forts of Vidarbha are not as widely discussed as those in western Maharashtra, yet they carry centuries of strategic and administrative significance. Constructed and occupied by a succession of dynasties, from tribal rulers to the Marathas and finally the British, these structures are silent witnesses to long cycles of warfare, administration, and regional assertion. Many of these forts were originally built by lesser-known powers such as the Mana and Gond dynasties and later absorbed by larger sultanates and empires.

Their locations were often chosen for natural defences such as rivers, hills, or dense forests, which also made them ideal for monitoring trade and troop movements. Today, the ruins of these forts continue to inform the historical understanding of eastern Maharashtra. Vidarbha, often perceived as politically peripheral, has had its own fortified markers of power spread across districts like Akola, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli.

1. Narnala Fort, Akola District

Narnala Fort, also known historically as Shahnur Fort, is located in the Satpura range within the bounds of the Melghat Tiger Reserve. It is one of the most extensive and best-documented forts in Vidarbha, dating back to before the 15th century. The initial construction is attributed to Rajput ruler Narnal Singh Solanki, but much of the fort’s existing structure was developed under the Bahmani Sultanate around 1425 CE. Later, it was seized by the Imad Shahi rulers and eventually captured by the Mughals. Emperor Akbar stationed a garrison here and renamed it Shanur, using it as a frontier post to control Berar.

The Marathas took control of the fort in 1701, and it was later annexed by the British around 1803 or 1818. The fort consists of three connected parts, Narnala, Zafarabad, and Teliagarh, featuring Persian inscriptions, multiple gateways, and water cisterns carved into the hills. Despite its deteriorating condition, the architectural scale and defensive layout confirm its long-term strategic importance.

2. Ballarpur Fort, Chandrapur District

Ballarpur Fort was constructed during the rule of Gond king Khandkya Ballal Sah, who reigned between 1437 and 1462. Located on the eastern bank of the Wardha River, the fort served as the original capital of the Gond kingdom before administrative focus shifted to nearby Chandrapur. The structure is built using black basalt stone and follows a rectangular plan. It has two main entrances: one facing east and another leading directly toward the river. Key features include bastions, curtain walls, and underground chambers that may have been used for storage or as shelters during sieges.

Though large sections of the fort have collapsed, parts of the outer walls and interior passageways are still visible. The Archaeological Survey of India lists the site as protected, and it continues to attract attention from regional historians. Its placement near a major river made it a viable point for resource access and trade regulation during the Gond period.

3. Chandrapur Fort, Chandrapur District

Also referred to as Chanda Fort, this structure was commissioned by Gond king Khandkya Ballal Sah after he shifted his capital from Ballarpur. Built in the mid-15th century, the fort was part of a planned city that incorporated moats, defensive walls, and strategically placed gates. Originally, the city was enclosed by 12 gates and 16 bastions, although only a few survive in identifiable form today. Major gates such as Jatpura, Anchaleshwar, Pathanpura, and Binba were used not just for defence but also as administrative checkpoints. The town planning reflected a mix of tribal and early urban architectural sensibilities, especially in its zoning and water management systems.

After the Gond dynasty, the fort and the surrounding city came under Maratha influence and subsequently fell into British hands. The site is now part of Chandrapur’s urban sprawl but remains a reference point in the city’s identity. Parts of the walls and entry points are still visible near the older sections of the town.

4. Manikgarh Fort, Chandrapur District

Located near Rajura in Chandrapur, Manikgarh Fort dates back to the 9th century and was originally constructed by King Gahilu of the Mana dynasty. It later came under the control of the Gonds and then passed into the hands of the Bahmani Sultanate. Today, the fort is largely in ruins and is situated atop a forested hill that provides natural camouflage and elevation. Stone steps and sections of wall remain intact, indicating the structure’s former layout and its access points. The site was later used as a forest outpost by colonial administrators, making it one of the few forts in Vidarbha that remained functionally relevant into the British era. The name "Manikgarh" is derived from King Manikdev, a local ruler whose influence shaped early developments in this region.

Though currently not developed as a tourist destination, the fort remains significant for its tribal and medieval associations. The surrounding forests are now part of a conservation zone, making archaeological access limited but still feasible for research.

5. Wairagad Fort, Gadchiroli District

Wairagad Fort, sometimes spelt Vairagad, is located at the confluence of the Khobragadhi and Satnala rivers in Gadchiroli. The fort dates back to the 7th to 9th centuries CE and was initially held by the Mana chiefs, a tribal dynasty predating Gond dominance. Later, it was incorporated into the Gond administrative system and functioned as a minor stronghold. Constructed using laterite stones, the fort includes defensive bastions, a surrounding moat, and at least one visible well, indicating sustainable planning for sieges or long stays. Though the structure is modest in comparison to others, it played a strategic role in controlling access to the surrounding forest tracts.

The site is now protected and was declared a heritage monument in 1925. Owing to its remote location, the fort has not suffered the same level of urban encroachment as others in the region. Researchers continue to cite it as a key marker in the study of pre-medieval fortifications in Vidarbha.

The forts of Vidarbha are critical to understanding the political and military frameworks that shaped the region across centuries. Each confirmed site represents a different phase in Vidarbha’s history, from tribal governance to Mughal annexation and British consolidation. These structures were not merely defensive walls but also administrative hubs and centres of power. Unlike the larger fort systems of western Maharashtra, Vidarbha’s forts have often been under-researched and under-maintained.

Nonetheless, their continued presence serves as physical evidence of a parallel political chronology that unfolded in eastern Maharashtra. For historians, archaeologists, and regional planners alike, these fortifications provide starting points to revisit how Vidarbha contributed to the broader historical narrative of the Deccan plateau.