Purandar Fort Maharashtra information in English
Purandar Fort'
'Alyad Rajuri Paliad Jejuri wahate karahe ho, Purandar Shobhe Shivshahi's honor tura.'
Location :
In the upper range of Sahyadri mountain near Saswad village in Pune district of Maharashtra state, which goes up to Bhuleshwar. Sinhagad and Purandar forts come in the same row.
Height:
This fort is a hill fort at an altitude of 1390 meters / i.e. 4472 feet above sea level in the eastern part of the Sahyadri mountain range.
Geographical Location:
To the east of this fort lies a flat plain, to the south-west of Saswad town, on the south-east side of Pune city. High hilly areas in the west. 42 km north-west of Purandar. I. Sinhagad in the distance, 54 km to the west. I. Distance Rajgad and 60 km. I. In the distance is Torna Fort.
• Production :
Purandar Fort is believed to have been built during the Yadav rule. Its construction started in the year 1350 AD.
• Route to reach the fort:
• Saswad is 25 km from Katraj in Pune city. From there, Purandar Fort is 15 to 18 km away.
• You can reach Purandar Fort via three ghats. Katraj Ghat, Dive Ghat, Bapdev Ghat.
• Pune Satara Road Kapurhol 20 km. Purandar.
• You could reach it via two routes from Pune – Saswad – Narayanpur.
• The first route is from Narayanpur to the foothills of Purandar, a forest path leads to Aloo Darwaza. We can trek through that forest path. But now this road has been closed due to the Army Training Camp.
• The second route is a straight paved road, go directly to the Purandar Army Gate, get permission there, park inside and then go to the fort.
• Now only the Army Camp route is available, only from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.
There is no entry before and after that. Also, your identity card i.e. Aadhaar card is required. Because it is an Indian military camp, security precautions are taken.
• Purandar and Vajragad are twin forts. However, entry from the Vajragad side is closed.
Places to visit in Purandar Fort:
Places to visit in this fort include Bini Darwaza, Purandareshwar Temple, Rameshwar Temple, Padmavati Lake, Murarbaji Samadhi, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Memorial, Kedareshwar Temple, Shendarya Buruj, Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Memorial, Sir Darwaza, Delhi Darwaza, Church, Fortification and Purandar Buruj, Balekilla, Khandkada.
Bini Darwaza:
After Narayan village, after climbing up the forest trail from the foot of Purandar, you will come across a gate. It is Bini Darwaza. This gate is next to the Machi of Purandar. Even a very tall elephant will pass through it with its Ambari. This gate, built of black stone, is still in good condition. There are pavilions on the inside for the guards to rest. But access from this side is closed.
Purandareshwar Temple:
If you continue straight along the road, you will come across some military camp buildings. If you continue straight ahead from there, before going to the fort, you will come across an ancient Yadav-era building built in the Hemadpanthi style of Purandar. This temple has been beautifully constructed by installing another one in a groove of the stone. This is a Mahadev temple and here you can see a beautiful Shiva pind as well as a beautiful statue of Indra Dev. Indra Dev had performed penance here. This fort was named Purandar after his name.
This temple was renovated during the time of the great Bajirao Peshwa.
• Rameshwar Temple:
This temple located behind the Purandar temple is the private temple of the Peshwas.
• Peshwa's Palace:
Palaces were built here for the Peshwas to live in. We can see some of its remains.
• Murarbaji Deshpande's Tomb:
The tomb of Murarbaji Deshpande, the fort owner who fought fiercely during the siege of Purandar during the Mughal invasion, can be seen here. A magnificent statue of Murarbaji Deshpande can be seen in front of the tomb. We get inspiration from Murarbaji to sacrifice our lives for freedom.
• Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj
Memorial and Garden:
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje was born at Purandar Fort. In his memory, a magnificent statue of him has been recently erected and a beautiful garden and memorial structure has been built around it by the Army Training Camp. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Memorial is known as a place of worship. A historical sword can be seen here. There are also wall paintings here. From this, we can see incidents from the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
• Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji:
A semi-sculptural statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the founder of Swarajya, and a garden can also be seen here.
• Padmavati Lake:
A short walk from the tomb of Murarbaji Deshpande, you will come across a lake. It is called Padmavati Lake. You can see a beautiful wall built around this lake in the vicinity of the army camp.
• Shendarya Buruj:
Ahead of Padmavati Lake, there is a tower in the northwest part of the fort, which is called Shendarya Buruj.
• Balekilla and its gates:
After coming from near Padmavati Lake, a path leads to the Balekilla. Balekilla is a very high part of the fort. On the way here, you will come across three gates. The English Z-shaped, i.e. the doors of the light-spreading mirrors made for dark rooms, are used.
• Sir Darwaza Purandar:
The first door is known as Sir Darwaza. Inside it is a statue of Hanuman painted in vermilion.
The second door is known as Ganesh Darwaza. It is still standing in a strong condition.
• North Gate/ Delhi Gate Purandar Fort:
This door is the third door. From here, we can go to the fort.
• A large number of small water tanks and ponds can be seen on the fort. From here, this water is taken to the army camp through a pipe.
• The remains of a residential palace can be seen on the fort.
• A closed tank from the Shiva era is found on the fort. It can be accessed by a ladder. The water in it is still used for drinking. The water in other open tanks and ponds is mossy due to sunlight.
• Some cacti and other small plants can be seen in this area.
This temple is located in a very high area of the fort and you can see the construction of parasbandi steps to reach this place. After climbing it and going to the upper part, we come to a temple. It is the temple of Kedareshwar. There is a Shivalinga in this temple. Also, some weapons of Shiva era are seen. For example, sword. When we see the saffron flag flying on the Kedareshwar temple, it reminds us of freedom and independence.
Khandakada:
After going beyond Delhi Gate, there is a high stone ledge called Khandakada. After going beyond this, there are water tanks. Also, the remains of some Shiva era buildings can be seen.
Ambarkhana:
After going further from the trench, you will come to Ambarkhana. There are water tanks from here. From there you can go to Kedareshwar temple.
Church:
After coming forward from the army camp, you will come to a British-era architectural church. Its specialty is the arched doors and windows. The roof of this wide church is on a tile and covered with a sheet. Another similar church is built here.
Features of Purandar:
Describing the features of Purandar
• A large garrison can be placed on this fort. Because there is a large amount of water available here.
• Since this fort is difficult on three sides, it was difficult for the enemy to win.
• Since the Vajragadh fort is adjacent to this fort, help can be obtained.
• This fort is important because it is big, strong, extensive and has a lot of space to defend.
• At its foot, the village of Narayanpur is the holy place of Datta Maharaj.
Historical information about Purandar Fort:
• In the 12th century AD, it was under the control of the Yadav dynasty.
• After that, it came under the control of the Bahamani dynasty.
• In the year 1449 AD, Malik Ahmed conquered it and brought it under the Nizamshahi.
• In the year 1550 AD, Adil Shah conquered this fort.
After Shivaji established Swarajya, Adil Shah imprisoned Shahaji Raj. Then he sent Fateh Khan to settle Shivaji. Then Shivaji chose Purandar as a suitable place to fight. At that time, this fort was in the possession of Mahadji Nilkanth. There was a dispute between his brother and him for supremacy in this place. Taking advantage of this, Chhatrapati Shivaji captured this fort. And not only settled Fateh Khan. He also freed Shahaji Raj.
• In the year 1655 AD, Netoji Palkar was elected as the Sarnobat of this fort.
• On May 14, 1657 AD, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje was born in this fort.
Historical information of Purandar Fort:
• In the year 1665 AD, Purandar was besieged by Mughal chieftain Mirzaraje Jai Singh. And Diler Khan fired cannons at Purandar and Vajragad. Machi was won. There was a fierce struggle between the Marathas and the Mughals. This resulted in the Treaty of Purandar on 11 June 1665. In this, Shivaji gave 23 forts and a land of four lakhs to the Mughals and 12 forts remained in Swarajya.
• Forts given to the Mughals:
Purandar, Vajragad (Rudramal), Kondhana, Karnala, Lohagad, Isagad, Tung, Tikona, Rohida, Nardurg, Mahuli, Bhandardurg, Palasakhol, Rupgad, Bakhtgad, Markaggad, Manikgad, Sarupgad, Sakargad, Ankola, Songad, Mangad.
• Forts that remained in Swarajya:
• On 8 March 1907, Nilopant Majumdar recaptured this fort and brought it back to Swarajya.
• After the death of Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje, Aurangzeb recaptured this fort and named it Azamgad.
Later, Shankar Narayan Secretary brought this fort back to Swarajya.
• After that, in the year 1818, the British took over this fort from the Marathas.
• After independence, this fort is in the possession of the Indian Army. There is a military training center here.
llThis is the turban of Swarajya. Which is seen in the crown of Swarajya.ll
“ Purandar Fort Maharashtra information in English
