Nagpur: Sitabuldi Fort which is the site of the Battle of Sitabuldi in 1817 and located atop a hillock in central Nagpur is open to public on May 1, 2015.
The fort was built by Mudhoji II Bhonsle, also known as Appa Saheb Bhosle, of the Kingdom of Nagpur, just before he fought against the British East India Company during the Third Anglo-Maratha War. The area surrounding the hillock, now known as Sitabuldi, is an important commercial hub for Nagpur. The fort is now managed by the Indian Army’s 118th Infantry Battalion.
Sitabuldi Fort is a major tourist attraction in Nagpur and is situated on two hillocks i.e. Badi Tekri (Big Hill) and Chhoti Tekri (Small Hill). Traditional sources inform that Sitabuldi got its name from two Yaduvanshi brothers, Shitlaprasad and Badriprasad Gawali, who ruled the area in the 17th century. The place came to be known as “Shitlabadri”, which during British rule became “Seetabuldee”, and later assumed its current form, “Sitabardi” or “Sitabuldi”. The Battle of Sitabuldi was fought in November 1817 on these hillocks between the forces of Appa Saheb Bhonsle of Nagpur and the British.
A press note from the Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing) informed the Historical Fort of Sitabuldi, Nagpur will be kept open for public on May 1, 2015 between 08 am to 04 pm. The entry to Fort will be closed at 03 pm at the main entrance gate. Free drinking water will be available inside the Fort. People are requested not to bring hand bags, cameras and mobile phones inside the fort.
