Dhotri Fort at Dhotri Village near Solapur

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Dhotri Fort is located in Dhotri village. The road to the village is not in good condition. Will test car and bike suspension. Deserted roads to reach the village. Farms on either side of the road.

Fortification of Dhotri Fort at Dhotri Village near Solapur

After visiting Solapur Fort we headed off to see Dhotri Fort. Finally reached Dhotri village. Directions to Dhotri Fort are tagged on google maps. There is a fort like entrance to visit the village.

The fort is surrounded by the village on one side and loose soil on the other. The fort walls are intact. A certain part of it has collapsed but the pattern is untouched. The same kind of stone is used to build houses of the locals around the fort. So not sure if the houses are also that old or it's just the fort.

Fortification of Dhotri Fort at Dhotri Village near Solapur

Apart from the stone that can see seen from the outside, it has walls of mud in it. The mud walls are around 10 feet broad.

A couple of children were playing cricket in the quadrangle of the fort. Again there is only one door to access the fort.

Entrance to Dhotri Fort at Dhotri Village near Solapur

They became out guide and showed us around the fort. The helped us up the stone stairs to climb the wall. Initially when Manohar tried to be enter bats came running out, reminded me of Indiana Jones.

Quadrangle of Dhotri Fort at Dhotri Village near Solapur

They also should us a small entrance in the wall. As per the kids there are 36 small rooms in there and also a secret underground road that leads to Akkalkot fort.

Fortification of Dhotri Fort at Dhotri Village near Solapur

There are also a couple of wells in the fort premises, but they are empty, plus there is dried wild grass growing all over the fort premises. The golden grass reminded me of my Peth Fort exploration. 

Fortification of Dhotri Fort at Dhotri Village near Solapur

It took us around 30 minutes to see the fort.

The locals themselves don't know as to who built the fort, strange.

Way to Akkalkot Fort from Dhotri Fort at Dhotri Village near Solapur

Also strange to hear that Kannada is the second language here.

Fortification of Dhotri Fort at Dhotri Village near Solapur

There are st buses and shared rickshaw available in village.

Entrance to Dhotri Village near Solapur

We then headed off to Naldurg in Osmanabad.