Kherla

Kherla was a fortified Gond centre whose position drew it into the rivalry between Malwa and the Bahmani kingdom. Its fort is recorded by the historian Firishta in connection with events of 1398. A stone later built into its eastern wall carries a 1363 inscription for a stepwell near Khetakapura, thought to be Kherla's older name. The reused stone preserves the memory of an earlier waterwork.

In the fifteenth century, Narsingh Rai sought support against Hoshang Shah of Malwa, but Hoshang attacked again in 1433, killed him and annexed Kherla. The stronghold remained contested. In 1467 the Bahmani ruler ordered the governor of Berar, Nizam-ul-Mulk, to capture it, while its Gond prince owed allegiance to Malwa. Kherla's rulers therefore faced repeated pressure to align with stronger neighbours.