Nepanagar - Historical Places

Historical Places

The ASIRGARH FORT, at a distance about 17 km by road, has its importance in history and was known as 'Gateway to South (Dakshin ka Dwaar)'.It was so because whoever wants to win south had to win and pass through it.A victory over this fortress meant the kingdom of Khandesh, which in turn meant a smooth road to Deccan.It was considered as an impregnable fortress during Mugal Period. The ownership of the fort between 14th-16th Century was in hands of Adil Shah Farouqui. After him the fort passed on to his successor Bahadur Shah Faroqui who was not considered as a farsighted king.As soon as Akbar,the Mughal emperor, came to know of this he dispatched an army to conquer Asirgarh Fort.Bahadur Shah got the wind of Akbar's plans and he too proceeded swiftly and fortified his fortress. Consequently, the armies of the Mughal emperor were stuck here laying siege to the fort for almost 10 years. It is evidence of how well-stocked the fortress was during that time that people and army inside had enough provision for food and water. Every attempt to take the fort was repulsed by the soldiers of the Shah.Finally sick of the battle, Akbar one day called Bahadur Shah to his camp for a meeting and there had him summarily dispatched to happy hunting grounds above. When the dying king accused Akbar of treachery, the emperor replied with that age-old lesson, "Everything is fair in Politics and government." Later Akbar showered gold and silver on Bahadur Shah's generals and won his way through to the fort. Finally on January 17, 1609 Akbar became the lord of the Asirgarh fort. Since then the fort remained in the hands of the Mughals. The fortress is home to a tenth-century temple of Shiva. Asha mandir of Hindu Goddess Asha-devi is located on the hills of this village.In the vicinity of Asirgarh,there is a tomb of Shah Nomani Asiri, a saint, a believer of Sufism. Moti mahal, the burial place of Moti Begam, beloved of Shah Jahan is to the left of the fort and situated at the bank of Pandhar River.