Gawilgarh

Gawilgarh is a mountain fortress in the Satpura country north of the Deccan. Its name recalls the Gawli cattle herders of Berar. The date of its first construction is unknown, but the historian Firishta records that the Bahmani king Ahmad Shah Wali rebuilt it in 1425 while encamped at Ellichpur.

In 1803 Arthur Wellesley besieged the Maratha stronghold during the Second Anglo-Maratha War. After attacks on the main gate failed, Captain Campbell led Highlanders up the ravine between the outer and inner forts and over the inner defences. They forced the northern gatehouse and opened the way for the rest of the troops. The fort was returned to its Maratha commander, Rana Shivsingh Rajput, after peace was made, but was subsequently abandoned.