The Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang is supposed to have embarked in Bankot in 640 AD.

This fort was captured by the Portuguese from Mohammed Adil Shah of Bijapur in 1548.

It was won by Maratha Koli Admiral[1] Kanhoji Angre in 1700 and named "Himmatgad".

In 1755, this fort surrendered to Commodore James of British fleet after the fall of Suvarnadurg.

Later it was revealed by the British that it was not an economically viable deal to maintain the fort and it was handed over to Peshwas.

To reach from Harihareshwar one has to avail the Bagmandala to Bankot base village ferry service to cross the Savitri river.

It takes about half an hour to reach the entrance gate of the fort.

The government of Maharashtra has undertaken the renovation of Bankot Fort and the work is in full progress.