Rajgad Fort Maharashtra information in English
Considered as the first capital of Swarajya, Giridurg, which today stands on the top of the Western Ghats as a testimony of history, is Rajgad.
"King of Forts and Fort of Kings"
Giridurg is a royal fort that can be seen with such a title.
• Location :
If you want to go to Rajgad, it is 48 km southwest from Pune city. At a distance of approximately 24 km from Bhor in Kanad Valley. I. The location of this fort is If you want to visit this fort, the surrounding Sahyadri mountains give it a unique protection. That is, while going towards it, one has to cross a river or a small hill while going in any direction.
• Geographical reality of Rajgad:
The extension of the fort is twelve kosas. A kos is approximately 2 to 3 km. I.
• Gunjavani river and its basin in the north.
• In the South, the river Vramkhand and the Bhatghar Dam on it
• Pune Satara Road on the east, and high Sahyadri Ghat Matha on the west. And Rajgad is a fort situated on the hill of Murumbadev, adjacent to the Kanad river valley.
• Height :
The average height of this fort is 1394 meters from the sea level. Also, its height from the base is approximately 900 meters
• Route to Rajgad:
Rajgad can be reached from Nasrapur village on Pune Satara Road. On reaching the base of Rajgad
There are two ways to go to Rajgad
One way to go to Rajgad is through Pali Darwaza, and the other way is Gunjavani Darwaza. We can reach the fort in about two to three hours.
• Resonance path:
After coming to Gunjwane village from Pune, we can go to Rajgad via Chor Darwaza by trekking along the forest path.
• Via Pali Darwaza :
This is the then state road. It is easy and simple to climb.
• Rulers who ruled the Rajgad:
According to historical records, Gautamiputra Satakarni, a king during the glorious Satavahana dynasty of Maharashtra, first identified and built a strong thane at this place in the 1st century AD.
After that, the region remained under the rule of Shilahar and Yadav. Later, during the Bahmani period, this fort was under the control of Muslim rulers. Later, when the Bahamani power was destroyed, this fort remained in the possession of different powers such as Nizamshahi, then Adilshahi, again during Nizamshahi and Adilshahi.
Chhatrapati Shivaraya captured this fort in 1645 AD. And knowing its geographical importance, he gave it a proper outline of the capital. Its earlier name was Murumbadev's Hill and it was named Rajgad.
Shivaraya used the money found during the renovation of the Torna fort, which was full of gold, for the construction of this fort.
And this fort got the honor of being the first capital of Swarajya.
• Places to visit in Rajgad:
Places worth seeing in Rajgad are Padmavati Machi, Suvela Machi, Sanjivani Machi, Fort, Tali and Water Tank, Chilkathi Buruj, small gates including Gunjpa, Pali, Alu, Kaleshwari, Mahadarwaja, Chorwata, Padmavati Temple, Sadar, Rajwada and other structures to reach the fort. Remains, some stone objects, broken cannons can be seen. Also, a picturesque view of the valleys of the rivers Veamvandi, Kanad and Gunjavani flowing around the towering Sahyadri peaks takes place here. It also offers a breathtaking view of the vast Rajgad Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Pali Door :
We reach the fort after two and a half to three hours journey from the base of the Rajgad by climbing up the stairs. Then the first door that comes is the Pali Door. While constructing the fort, Shivaraya used black stone from the fort instead of bringing stones from outside. The construction of Pali Darwaza is also done entirely in black stone. Its construction seems to be of Gomukh style. A few structures are still visible in this area bearing witness to the Shiva period construction.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gave the form of Rajgad to the mountain known as Murumbadevacha Dongar.
We can see the description of Rajgad by Saki Mustaid Khan in his book Masire Alimgire. He says that
Mohammad Hashim Khali Khan has described it in his book Muntakhbullubab e Mahemdashahi as follows,
‘ How can we describe Rajgad? The height and expansion of that fort were as if the sky were spread out. Seeing its peak, the chest was squeezed. The bull of the underworld, who held the earth under its weight, must have been screaming. This place is full of snakes, wild animals, and mountains, and it is surrounded by a thicket, making it difficult to besiege.
This is what has been done.
• Padmavati Machi:
Machi is a naturally formed flat area above the fort after climbing up.
After going up through the thief door, you can reach Padmavati Machi.
• Padmavati Devi Temple:
The temple of Padmavati Devi is located on Padmavati Machi. Inside, you can see the idol of Goddess Padmini.
• Saibai Samadhi:
The first wife of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Saibai, passed away on this fort. Here we can see Saibai's Samadhi near the Padmini Devi Temple.
• Rameshwar Temple:
A Rameshwar Temple can also be seen nearby.
• Padmini Lake:
A built lake can be seen in the lower part of the temple. It was named after this Padmavati Devi. While building the lake on the fort, many people were asked where to build it. But the Maharaj did not like the places they showed. Finally, the rainy season started. And suddenly, when it was raining heavily, the Maharaj went and stopped under a tree near the Padmavati Temple. Then, when he saw the water falling from the cliff on the fort, he built a lake there. He named it Padmini Lake.
• Since Padmini Machi is large in size, many historical structures can be seen here. Since these steps are going up step by step, here you can see old houses, constructions as well as palaces. and other residences can be seen.
• There is a warehouse on Padmavati Machi. There is also a broken cannon near this warehouse. Also, the remains of an ammunition shed can be seen. The remains of some fallen walls can be seen. There is one structure here, which is the Havaldar's Sadar. The remains of many palaces can be seen here.
• From the Havaldar's Sadar, we can see two paths. One of them goes towards the fort on the upper side and the other goes towards the Suvela Machi on the lower side.
• Sanjeevani Machi:
A path from the Havaldar Sadar on Padmini Machi takes you directly to Sanjeevani Machi from near the fort's cone. After walking through the small and big gate, you can reach Sanjeevani Machi by foot. Sanjeevani Machi looks like a serpentine serpent walking for hunting. It has armored towers built for guarding in places. This Machi, which is about 2.5 km long, has a triple wall. If the enemy attacks this very narrow wall, one soldier can enter from here at a time. And it is easy to fight one army at a time. The location of this Machi is responsible for this. Because there is a wide space on the side of the Machi. Also, you will see many doors and thieves' paths here. During the Shiva era, water tanks were built here for the soldiers guarding the Shibandi. Also, Sharabh sculptures are carved in places. In this, a lion is holding an elephant in its paw. Such a sculpture. The purpose behind this is to inspire the Mavlas. Sharabh means the Mavlas of Swarajya. And the elephant means the emperor who is drunk, intoxicated and intoxicated with power, and the Shahya. Also, a sculpture can be seen near this Machi near the Alu Darwaja. There, a deer has been found at the feet of two tigers. It is said that they are hunting it. Even today, the fortifications at this place are found in good condition. From the tip of this Machi, we can see the Torna, as well as the reservoir of the Bhatghar Dam.
• A good example of how to build a building using intelligence in terms of security is Sanjeevani Machi.
• Must visit this place at least once.
• Suvela Machi:
There is a fork in the road leading to the fort. If you go straight ahead along the narrow path, you will find a flat area and in front of it, there is a strong armored tower. After going down the steps of a small door on its side, you can go directly to Suvela Machi by following a narrow path adjacent to the rampart. On the way from the armored tower, you will find a Ganesh idol. It is painted in scarlet color.
There, in the nearby rock, there is an arch made of broken rock on the top, it is called Nidhe or Hatti Prast, Tiger's Eye. From here, you can get a great view of the Sahyadri. However, you have to go a little carefully. This is a tall black basalt rock standing stone. When you look at it from a distance, it looks like an elephant.
. From there, you can see a beautiful tower made of stone, fortified with a rampart. It is Suvela Tower. There are a total of seventeen towers on this tower. Seven of them are armored towers. There are also built and narrow passages here. Further towards the end, a beautiful lake is built for drinking. The remains of some household items are found here. As the broken stones go, it is difficult to climb this tower. There is a deep valley along its side.
• Balekilla:
The highest safe place in the fort is ‘Balekilla’
After coming from Padmavati Machi, a path takes you up to the Balekilla. This is a very narrow path. You should be a little careful while going from here. Because there may be a bee hive in the bush here. After climbing further from there, you will come to the main gate of the Balekilla.
• Mahadarwaja:
Like the Pali Darwaja, this is also built in black stone. In a very high and strong position, from here you can see the sun rising in the east during a beautiful sunrise. To see this, you have to live in the fort. Mahadarwaja is the protective lock of the Balekilla.
• After the assassination of Afj Khan, his head was brought here and buried on one side of this gate.
• Chandratale:
Since the Balekilla was very high, the stones required for construction were dug from here. And while they were being dug, the place was given the appearance of beautiful lakes. The shape of those lakes is like a crescent moon. Hence, these lakes got the name Chandratali.
• Market:
The remains of the market can be seen at the Balekilla. During the Shiva era, a market used to be held here.
• Brahmashwar Temple:
There is a well-built Brahmashwar Temple at this place.
• Palace:
Going a little further, we can see the remains of the palace. Chhatrapati Shivaji spent most of his life here, that is, only 25 years. The remains of many residential settlements can be found here.
• From the Balekilla, not only can you see the beautiful view of the Rajgad fort, but also the water of the rivers, dams and the surrounding forests.
• Many chieftains like Tanaji Malusare, Netaji Palkar, Yesaji Kank, Shilamkar lived in this fort. The remains of the buildings built for them can be seen here.
• When Tanaji Malusare fell on the Kondhana river, his body was first brought to this fort. From here onwards, he was taken to his village of Umarthe.
• This fort is a witness to most of the secret negotiations as well as fort campaigns and many plans of Swarajya. The campaign against Afzal Khan, the Treaty of Purandar, and Chhatrapati Shivaji first came to this fort after escaping from Agra.
Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj was also born in this fort. This is his birthplace.
• The structure of this fort is like a ceiling fan. The Balekilla is the middle part and the three forts Sanjeevani, Suvela, Padmavati are its wings.
• The museum in Switzerland has images of the world's best 14 forts kept there for viewing. Among them is the only fort in India. And that is Rajgad.
One must visit this first capital of Swarajya at least once in one's life.
Rajgad Fort.
