Chandor

Chandor, or Chandwad, lies below a hill fort on the road from Berar and Khandesh towards Nashik and the western coast. The fort commands a pass through the hills, while the town’s position made it a centre of trade. It is identified with the old Chandradityapura associated with an early Yadava dynasty.

Mughal forces captured Chandor fort in 1635 during their campaigns in the Deccan. In 1670 the Mughal commander Daud Khan came through the town while attempting to intercept Shivaji on his return from Surat. Later, between 1754 and 1756, Malhar Rao Holkar encouraged craftsmen to settle by granting them land. The suburb of Somvarpeth grew, and Chandor became known for brass work. The fort passed to British forces in 1804, returned to Holkar, and surrendered again in 1818.