Tikona: Difference between revisions

'''Tikona''' also known as '''Vitandgad''') is the dominant [[hill fort]] in [[Maval]] in western India. It is located near [[Kamshet]] around 60 km from [[Pune]]. The village nearest to the fort is called Tikona-Peth. The 3500 ft high hill is pyramidal in shape and the name Tikona means "triangular".

The fort is a trekking destination noted for the large doors, the temple of 'Trimbakeshwar Mahadev', a water tanks (seven water tanks) and some Satvahan caves. Trek organisers also commend the views of Pawna<!--also spelt Pauna and Pawana--> dam and the nearby forts of [[Tung Fort|Tung]], [[Lohagad]] and [[Visapur fort|Visapur]].<ref>Visit this pyramid shaped hill fort near Pune:https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/visit-this-pyramid-shaped-hill-fort-near-pune-which-is-a-trekking-destination/story-vx5P42s4TykRRZjNtqmbTL.html</ref> There is good view of Pawana lake from the summit.

Little is known about the origins of this fort. There is a [[vihara]] on the fort datable to circa seventh-eight centuries A.D.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indian Archaeology 1969-70 - A review|url=http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201969-70%20A%20Review.pdf|access-date=24 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410064545/http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201969-70%20A%20Review.pdf|archive-date=10 April 2009|url-status=live|page=25}}</ref> [[Malik Ahmad Nizam Shah I]] of the Nizam Shahi dynasty conquered the fort in 1585 and annexed it to the Nizam territory. In 1657, [[Shivaji Maharaj]] brought the whole of [[Konkan]], which had been Nizam territory, under his control when he conquered Tikona along with the forts of [[Karnala fort|Karnala]], [[Lohgad]], [[Mahuli]], Songad, [[Talagad|Tala]], and [[Visapur fort|Visapur]].<ref>http://trekshitiz.com/ trekshitiz/Ei/Tikona-Trek-Pune-District.html</ref> This fort was a strategic nexus: the centre of control for the entire Pawana Mawal region. In 1660, Dhamale family, the [[Deshmukh]]s from Maval region were charged with ensuring the security of fort Tikona.It was under the Dhamale Deshmukh family for long time. Jaysingh invaded the region in 1665 and attacked the local villages but the forts held out. Tikona fort was surrendered to the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] warrior Kubadkhan, who had attacked the region together with Halal Khan and others, according to the [[Treaty of Purandar (1665)|Treaty of Purandar]] signed on 12 June 1665. Kubad Khan took over the fort on 18 June but it was later recaptured by the [[Marathas]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Tikona|url=http://www.trekshitiz.com/EI/EI_DefaultUser.asp?SearchValue=T&FortName=Tikona&SearchChoice=Alpha|access-date=24 July 2011}}</ref> In 1682 King Sambhaji met Aurangzeb's son Akbar. After the meeting the Akbar was offered to stay on Tikona fort, however he was shifted to Jaitapur as the climate didn't suit him. A small battle was fought by Maratha army with British in 1818, before it was captured by the latter.

The nearest town is [[Kamshet]] which is 51;km from [[Pune]]. The base village of the fort is Tikona peth which is 26&nbsp;km from Kamshet. There are good hotels at Kamshet, now tea and snacks are also available in small hotels at Tikonapeth and Kale colony. The trekking path starts from the hillock south of the parking area near Tikonapeth. The route is very safe and wide. There are few trees on the trekking route. It takes about an hour to reach the entrance gate of the fort. There are very steep and high, which makes the climb a thrilling experience. There is very less space on the fort. It is advisable not to accompany large groups for climbing the fort. The steps are so narrow that only a single person can climb at a time. The night stay on the fort can be made in the caves either near the entrance of the fort or on the top of the fort. The villagers from the local fort restoration committee in the Tikonapeth make night stay and food arrangements at a reasonable cost. The [[Bedse]] caves which are on the way from Kamshet can also be visited on the way to Tikona<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tikona Fort And Its Majestic Fairy Tales {{!}} Fort Trek|url=https://www.forttrek.com/tikona-fort-and-its-majestic-fairy-tales/|access-date=2021-01-23|language=en-US}}</ref> on the same day<ref>How to reavh Tikona fort:https://www.india.com/travel/articles/monsoon-treks-near-mumbai-how-to-reach-tikona-aka-vitangad-hill-fort-in-maharashtra-3228719/</ref>