Twin forts of Ankai and Tankai in the Manmad Region

About the Destination:

Satmala Range, also called the Chandwad Range located South from Manmad is a range of table-top mountains running from west to east. This range contains many impressive and beautiful ancient hill forts.

Two impressive table-top mountains of this range - Ankai and Tankai - rise up to 275 m high above the surrounding landscape. The highest summit is located on Ankai - 961 m above the sea level and here opens a wide view on valleys of Khandesh and Godavari. Both hills from all sides have nearly vertical walls with several steps and only the narrow saddle between both hills makes them ascendable.

Ankai is located to the west of the common col. The uneven plateau on its top is up to 700 m long and approximately 200 m wide. Eastern side of plateau contains a steep hill which is rising some 45 m above the other plateau.Tankai is located to the east and is somewhat larger. It is up to 800 m long and up to 600 m wide. Surface of Tankai is more flat and windswept.

At the base of Tankai there are located several 700 - 1000 years old Jain and Hindu rock-cut temples, some Hindu rock-cut temples are located on Ankai. The rock cut figure of Bhavani is worth seeing. There are also remnants of ancient temples and other structures strewn all along the way to the col.

We can ascend from the Kusur (Ankai) village to the south from the saddle between both hills. The route passes by the Tankai Jain Cave Temples and through arched entrance door then reach the saddle and have a choice to ascend either Tankai or Ankai via path of stone-cut steps.

For most part of the year the area is grey and desert like but during the monsoon miraculous change happens - even the plateaus on top of both hills are covered with lush green grass with some low shrubs in some places

Ankai Fort

While ascending Ankai fort we pass through 7 rings of fortifications and a Hindu rock-cut temple. The winding steps leading towards the top of the hill were easy to defend. Behind the last gateway there stand remnants of a curious domed building disputed to be a treasure chamber in those times.

Top of the hill earlier had many buildings, nowadays only a few ruins remain. Plateau contains up to 15 m deep rock-cut granaries, 7 water tanks. The most impressive ruins are located in the far western end - this is former palace with a huge pond in front of it. At the base of the hill on eastern side of plateau there are located Hindu rock-cut shrines with hermits living here up to this day.

In the middle part of Ankai there is square water tank with an ancient sculpture in the middle.

Tankai hill fort

Ascent to the plateau of Tankai hill also leads through fortified wall with arched door.

Plateau on the top of Tankai is more flat and lower than the top of Ankai. Grass covered plateau is windy, nowadays it is used for horse grazing. Here is no shelter, though plateau contains semi-collapsed Shiva temple built of large stone blocks adorned with stone carving and Nandi sitting in the front of the building and looking towards the shrine of Shiva.

All four corners of plateau have traces of former fortifications, in the eastern side are located remnants of well-built guard house.

Most likely Tankai served as a huge storage facility of supplies for Ankai fort.

Known history

In 1635 both forts were captured by the general Khan Khanan of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan

The last time when forts were captured was in April 5, 1818 when British (unit of Lieutenant-Colonel McDowell) took them without bloodshed. This was great luck for British as the fort had large amount of ammunition and neighbouring forts were ready to take up rebellion if Ankai would start it.

Activities that can be carried out in the forts : Trekking, early morning birding, photography

Difficulty Level: Easy

Highlights

We can see Patta Fort, Bitangad, Alang, Madan, Kulang, Kalsubai and the surrounding area from Aundha fort.