Rajgad Fort

Rajgad Fort
Part of Maharashtra
Pune District, Maharashtra India
Rajgad after monsoon
Rajgad Fort
Shown within Maharashtra
Rajgad Fort
Rajgad Fort (India)
Coordinates 18°14′48″N 73°40′56″E / 18.2467°N 73.6823°E / 18.2467; 73.6823
Type Hill fort
Site information
Owner Government of India
Controlled by

 Adilshahi (1630-1647)
 Maratha Empire (1647-1676)
Mughal Empire(1689-1692)
 Maratha Empire (1692-1818)
 United Kingdom

 India (1947-)

Rajgad (Ruling Fort) is a hill fort situated in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India. Formerly known as Murumdev, the fort was the capital of the Maratha Empire under the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for almost 26 years, after which the capital was moved to the Raigad Fort. Treasures discovered from an adjacent fort was used to completely build and fortify the Rajgad Fort.

The Rajgad Fort is located around 60 km (37 mi) to the south-west of Pune and about 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Nasrapur in the Sahyadris range. The fort lies 1,400 m (4,600 ft) above the sea level. The diameter of the base of the fort was about 40 km (25 mi) which made it difficult to lay siege on it, which added to its strategic value. The fort's ruins consist of palaces, water cisterns, and caves. This fort was built on a hill called Murumbadevi Dongar (Mountain of the Goddess Murumba). Rajgad boasts of the highest number of days stayed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on any fort.

History

The fort has stood witness to many significant historic events including the birth of Chhatrapati Shivaji's son "Rajaram Chhatrapati", the death of Shivaji's Queen Saibai, the return of Shivaji from Agra, the burial of Afzal Khan's head in the Mahadarwaja walls of Balle Killa, the strict words of Sonopant Dabir to Shivaji.

Rajgad

The Rajgad Fort was also one of the 17 forts that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj kept when he signed the Treaty of Purandar in 1665, with the Mughal general Jai Singh I, leader of the Mughal forces. Under this treaty, 23 forts were handed over to the Mughals.[1]

Sanjivani Machi-view from Rajgad Mahadwar

List of Chronological Events

YearDateEvent
1490 A.DAhmed Bahiri Nizamshah captured the fort.
1626 A.DDuring the Nizam's last struggle, Adilshah captured the fort.
1630 A.DThe fort was recaptured by Nizamshah with the help of Shahaji.
1642 A.DThe fort was included in the jagir of Shahaji Raje.
1647 A.DShivaji captured the fort.
1649 A.DRepairs on the fort began and Shamrao Neelkanth Ranzekar was appointed as the Peshwa.
1654 A.DThe fort was renamed as "Rajgad". Construction on new fortifications and buildings commenced.
1658 A.D14 JanuaryChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj returned to Rajgad after conquering North Konkan.
1659 A.D11 JulyShivaji shifted to Pratapgad in order to battle with Afzal Khan.
1659 A.D5 SeptemberSaibai's (Shivaji's wife) died in the Rajgad Fort.
1660 A.DJulyShivaji escaped from Siddi Jouhar's siege of Panhala and came to Rajgad.
1661 A.DJulyThe idol of Bhavanimata, which was to be established in Pratapgad, was first brought to Rajgad to be inspected by Jijabai.
1662 A.DJanuaryThe construction of the Rajgad fort was completed and Shivaji returned to the fort after capturing Pen and Kalyan.
1664 A.DFebruaryThe booty of Surat was brought to Rajgad.
1665 A.D30 AprilThe Mughals were unsuccessful on their attack of the fort.
1665 A.DJuneShivaji's letter of accepting defeat was sent to Jaisingh.
1670 A.D24 FebruaryRajaram was born on the Fort.
1671 A.DThe repairing of the fort began at an expected cost of 10,000 hons.
1689 A.DJuneThe fort was captured by the Mughals after Sambahji was murdered.
1692 A.DShankarji Narayan captured the fort from the Mughals.
1697 A.DRajaram returned to Maharashtra and made Rajgad his new capital
1701 A.D4 AugustShahaji Mohite was made the havaldar of Padmavati Machi
1704 A.D18 FebruaryThe fort was handed over to Aurangzeb as part of a treaty. The fort was renamed to Nabishahagad. Santaji Shilimkar and Sidoji Thopte were killed here by Aurangzeb.
1707 A.D29 MayGunaji Sawant captured the fort and The Maratha War of Independence ended.
1709 A.DChhattrapati Shahu made provisions for the repairs of the fort.
1818 A.DThe Rajgad Fort passed into the hands of the British.

Tourism

The fort is a significant tourist destination and is most sought after especially during monsoon. Visitors prefer to stay overnight on the fort considering the fort itself is huge and cannot be explored in a single day. The Padmavati temple on the fort can accommodate around 50 people. Water tanks provide fresh water all throughout the year. Villagers from the foothills of Rajgad sell local antiques and items to these tourists.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Rajgarh Fort History". Travelomy. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
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