Udgir Fort is a remarkable 16th-century hill fort located in Udgir town, Latur district, Maharashtra. Unlike many forts built on hilltops, this fort is mostly underground, making it architecturally unique in India.
Udgir Fort, also known as Bhui-Kot Killa, is a 12th-century historical fort located in Udgir, Latur district, Maharashtra, India.
Built during the pre-Bahamani era, it is situated at an elevation of about 632 meters and is surrounded by a 40-foot-deep trench for defense. The fort is named after the Hindu saint Udaygiri Rishi, whose samadhi lies 60 feet below ground level within the fort premises.
It is historically significant for the Battle of Udgir (1760), where the Marathas, led by Sadashivrao Bhau, defeated the Nizam of Hyderabad, leading to the Treaty of Udgir.
The fort features remnants of palaces, durbar halls, and rare Arabic and Persian inscriptions, reflecting centuries of cultural and intellectual patronage by Muslim rulers.
There are also local beliefs about an underground tunnel connecting Udgir Fort to the forts of Bidar and Bhalki.
Currently in ruins and under the control of the Government of Maharashtra, the fort is open to the public and recognized as a State Protected Monument (ASI ID: S-MH-106). In 2022, five cannons and cannonballs from the 14th–15th century were discovered during cleaning efforts.
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