Dongartal

Dongartal was a fortified district of the Gond kingdom of Garha-Mandla, later transferred to the rulers of Deogarh. The old road between Nagpur and Seoni passed through this hill country. Farther south stands Ramtek, a sacred hill associated with Rama, whose temples have attracted worshippers since early centuries. Its fortified enclosure received additions under the Bhonsle rulers of Nagpur.

Tradition tells that Bakht Buland of Deogarh appointed a Pathan, Taj Khan, governor of Dongartal after he saved the king during a hunt. When Raghuji Bhonsle seized the Deogarh kingdom, Taj Khan’s son Muhammad Khan held out at Dongartal for three years. Raghuji eventually appointed him governor of Seoni-Chhapara. At Ramtek, Raghuji is credited with building the outer walls and the Varaha gate of the hilltop citadel.