The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has initiated an investigation into a major fire that erupted at the historic Devgiri Fort, also known as Daulatabad Fort, in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district on Tuesday (April 8, 2025) morning. The blaze scorched large swathes of grassland and vegetation within the fort premises, raising concerns about the monument’s safety and ecological balance.
The fire, which reportedly started around 10 a.m., spread rapidly across the slopes of the fort. Firefighters encountered challenges owing to the steep terrain, forcing them to deploy water jets from a distance. While the blaze was brought under control by evening, smoke and embers persisted through the night.
Officials confirmed that the ASI is currently assessing the extent of the damage. Based on this assessment, the agency plans to formulate a disaster management plan aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
The fire has also significantly disrupted the local wildlife. On Wednesday morning, monkeys and peacocks were observed scavenging for food in the charred Kalakot area of the fort. Peacocks, which typically inhabit the shrublands near the iconic Mendha cannon, are believed to have lost substantial portions of their natural habitat.
Devgiri Fort, situated approximately 16 km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city, holds immense historical significance, having served as the capital of the Yadava dynasty from the 9th to the 14th centuries. Reports suggest the fire also affected the Baradari, a pavilion located at the fort’s summit. During the response, Fort staff assisted firefighters by transporting water from the Moti tank to help cool the affected zones.
Authorities are now prioritising the development of a comprehensive disaster preparedness and response mechanism to safeguard the UNESCO-nominated heritage site from such threats moving forward.
Published – April 10, 2025 03:54 am IST
