सिंहगड किल्ला ( कोंढाणा किल्ला) के बारे मे जाणकारी हिन्दी मे Shihgad kile ke bare me jankari

 सिंहगड किल्ला ( कोंढाणा किल्ला)  के बारे मे जाणकारी हिन्दी मे

Shihgad kile ke bare me jankari hindi me 

सिंहगढ़ उर्फ कोंढाणा किला

किला कोंढाना स्वराज्य का एक महत्वपूर्ण किला और राजमाता जीजाबाई इसकी उचित निगरानी कर सकती हैं। यह इस प्रकार है

“शिवबा मुगलों के हात मे कोंढाणे किले जैसा मजबूत किला होना अच्छा नहीं है। इसे स्वराज के पास फिर से ले आओ।”

• जगह :

महाराष्ट्र राज्य के पुणे जिले में पुणे से 25 कि.मी. दक्षिण पश्चिम में। यह गिरिदुर्ग सह्याद्रि पर्वत श्रृंखला में स्थित है जो पूर्वी तरफ भुलेश्वर तक फैला हुआ है।

• ऊंचाई :

सिंहगढ़ किले की औसत ऊंचाई 1312 मीटर / 4304 फीट है।

• आधार से औसत ऊंचाई 750 मीटर है।

• सिंहगढ़ जाने के रास्ते:

• पुणे - वडगांव - खडकवासला से सिंहगढ़ के आधार पर पहुंचा जा सकता है।

• शिवपुर से कटराज घाट होते हुए कार द्वारा सिंहगढ़ पहुंचा जा सकता है। किले में पार्किंग की सुविधा है।

• सिंहगढ़ किले में घूमने की जगहें:

• पुणे दरवाजा :

 सिंहगढ़ पहुंचने के बाद पार्किंग स्थल से चलकर आप पुणे गेट पर पहुंचेंगे। आज यह एक सुनिर्मित द्वार है।

• वहां से सीढ़ियां ऊपर जाने पर दूसरे दरवाजे की ओर जाता है। और उसके बाद ऐसी ही तीन दरवाज़ों की एक और शृंखला है।

गोला बारूद गोदाम:

तीसरे द्वार के पास दाहिनी ओर गोला बारूद भवन है। तोप के लिए आवश्यक बारूद  यहीं रखी जाती थी।

• इस स्थान पर वर्ष 1751 ई. में बिजली गिरी थी। इसमें गोदाम क्षतिग्रस्त हो गया. इसके अलावा वहां रहने वाले फड़णवीस के घर पर भी बिजली गिरी। और इसमें उनका सारा परिवार मर गया।

• घोड़ों के लिए पागा सिंहगढ़:

गोला बारूद भंडार से निकलने के बाद पहाडी में बंधे घोड़ों का तबेला / हांका दिखाई देता है। इसका आकार गुफा जैसा है। उस दौरान यहां घोड़ियां बांधी जाती थीं। और यहीं पर उनकी फीडिंग की जाती थी.

• तिलक बंगला :

वहां से आगे जाने पर आपको तिलक बंगला मिलेगा। लोकमान्य बाल गंगाधर तिलक ने इसे रामलाल नंदलाल नाइक से खरीदा था। वह नियमित रूप से यहां विश्राम के लिए आते रहते हैं। 1915 ई. में महात्मा गांधी और लोकमान्य तिलक की मुलाकात यहीं हुई थी।

• कोंढानेश्वर मंदिर:

यह एक शिव मंदिर है और यहां पिंड और नंदी को देखा जा सकता है। कोंढानेश्वर यादवों के कुलगुरु हैं।

• श्री अमृतेश्वर मंदिर :

कोंढानेश्वर मंदिर से आगे बढ़ने पर बाईं ओर अमृतेश्वर मंदिर है। इस मंदिर में भैरव और भैरवी की मूर्तियाँ देखी जा सकती हैं। भैरव के पास एक राक्षस का सिर है। यह स्थान मूलतः कोली लोगों का निवास था। यह उनके कुलदेवता हैं।

• नरवीर तानाजी मालुसरे समाधि एवं स्मारक:

कोंढाणा पर विजय प्राप्त करने के बाद युद्ध के दौरान नरवीर तानाजी मालुसरे की वीरतापूर्वक मृत्यु हो गई। अमृतेश्वर मंदिर के पीछे की ओर से ऊपर चढ़ने के बाद, आप तानाजी मालुसरे स्मारक के सामने आते हैं। इस स्थान पर युद्धरत मावलों की मूर्तियां स्थापित की गई हैं। इसके चारों ओर एक खूबसूरत पार्क देखा जा सकता है। इस स्मारक के मध्य में नरवीर तानाजी मालुसरे की भव्य प्रतिमा देखी जा सकती है। यहां उनकी समाधी भी देखी जा सकती है।

• देव टाके :

नरवीर सुभेदार तानाजी मालुसरे की समाधि से आगे बढ़ने पर बायीं ओर एक छोटी सी झील है। वहां से कुछ दूरी पर एक पीने के पानी की टंकी है. वे देवता हैं. महात्मा गांधी जब पुणे आते थे तो इसी तालाब से पानी मांगते थे।

• राजा राम स्मारक:

स्वराज्य के तीसरे छत्रपति राजाराम महाराज की समाधि भी यहां देखी जा सकती है। यह मकबरा राजस्थानी स्थापत्य शैली में बनाया गया है। छत्रपति संभाजी राज की मृत्यु के बाद सम्पूर्ण स्वराज की जिम्मेदारी राजाराम महाराज पर आ गयी। उन्होंने लगातार 11 वर्षों तक मुगलों से संघर्ष किया और स्वराज्य की लौ जलाए रखी। उनकी मृत्यु 30 वर्ष की आयु में यानि 3 मार्च 1700 को सिंहगढ़ में हुई।

• डोंगरी उर्फ तानाजी का किनारा :

झुंझार  टॉवर के पीछे आपको तट पर एक खड़ी पश्चिमी पहाड़ी मिलती है। इसे डोंगरीचा या पश्चिमकडा कहा जाता है। नरवीर तानाजी मालुसरे और मावलियों ने इस पहाड़ी पर चढ़कर किले पर धावा बोल दिया।

• कल्याण द्वार :

किले के पश्चिम दिशा में एक ऊंचा दरवाज़ा है। हम एक के पीछे एक दो दरवाजे देख सकते हैं। इस दरवाजे के नीचे कल्याण गांव है। इस गांव से ऊपर चढ़ने पर एक के बाद एक दरवाजे बने रहते हैं इसलिए उस दरवाजे को कल्याण दरवाजा कहा जाता है। यह एक ऐसी सीढ़ी है जिस पर चढ़ना कठिन है। इसके बगल में एक मजबूत बुर्ज बना हुआ है। इस स्थान पर हाथियों की मूर्तियां देखी जा सकती हैं। साथ ही, रास्ते में दुश्मन को आकर्षित करने के लिए दरवाजे पर बनी दीवारें भी बहुत सावधानी से बनाई गई हैं। जब तानाजी मालुसरे और मावला लड़ते हुए पहाड़ी पर चढ़ गए, तो यह कल्याण दरवाजा पश्चिम में खुल गया और बाहर मावला और सूर्याजी मालुसरे के साथ मिलकर उन्होंने दुश्मन को उड़ा दिया। और इस किले को स्वराज्य में शामिल कर लिया गया।

• उदेभान स्मारक:

सिंहगढ़ की पहाड़ी पर एक चौकोर पत्थर है। यह एक स्मारक है.

• झुंझार बुरुज  :

पानी की टंकी से आगे बढ़ने पर एक मीनार है। यह झुंझार बुरुज है। इसे सिंहगढ़ का अंत माना जाता है। इस स्थान से तोरणा किला और राजगढ़ किला देखा जा सकता है। पुरंदर किला पूर्व में देखा जा सकता है। पानशेत बांध जलाशय भी देखा जा सकता है।

• सिंहगढ़ के बारे में संक्षिप्त ऐतिहासिक तथ्य:

• कोंढाना इस किले का नाम ऋषि कोंडिन्य के नाम पर रखा गया है। प्राचीन काल में यहां कौंडिन्य ऋषि का आश्रम था।

• इसके अलावा द्रविड़ महादेव कोली लोग पहले से ही इस स्थान पर रहते थे। उन्होंने ही इस स्थान पर किले का परिचय कराया था।

• मुहम्मद बिन तुगलक ने 1328 ई. में कोली राजा नाग नाइक से यह किला छीन लिया। उसने मंगोल आक्रमणकारियों से अपनी शक्ति बचाने के लिए राजधानी को देवगिरि में स्थानांतरित कर दिया। फिर उसने दक्षिण की ओर विस्तार करने के लिए इस किले को जीत लिया। लेकिन इसे कड़े प्रतिरोध का सामना करना पड़ा। किले में रसद ख़त्म हो जाने के कारण किले को दे दिया गया।

• मुहम्मद तुगलक के दिल्ली चले जाने के बाद महादेव कोली लोगों ने दोबारा आक्रमण कर इस किले को जीत लिया।

• निज़ामशाही तक यह किला महादेव कोली समाज सरदार का था।

• निज़ामशाही के बाद यह किला आदिलशाही के पास चला गया।

• दादोजी कोंडदेव ने आदिल शाही काल के दौरान इस किले के सूबेदार के रूप में कार्य किया था।

• बाद में इस किले को शिव राय ने स्वराज्य में शामिल कर लिया। और वर्ष 1647 ई. में यहां सेना भर्ती के लिए एक केंद्र स्थापित किया गया। दादोजी कोंडदेव इसके मामलों की देखरेख करते हैं।

• वर्ष 1649 ई. में शाहजी ने राजा की रिहाई के लिए यह किला आदिल शाह को दे दिया।

• उसके बाद यह किला पुनः स्वराज्य में ले लिया गया।

• पुरंदर की संधि के दौरान किला मुगलों को वापस दे दिया गया था। तब मुगल सरदार उदेभान को एक राजपूत किलेदार नियुक्त किया गया।

इस किले को पुनः प्राप्त करने का निर्णय लिया गया। तब, बहादुर योद्धा तानाजी मालुसरे, शेलार मामा, सूर्याजी मालुसरे और उनके समूह के मावलों ने इस किले पर कब्जा करने और जीतने का फैसला किया।

• 4 फरवरी, 1670 को तानाजी मालुसरे अपने 300 मावलों के साथ रस्सियों के सहारे द्रोणागिरी पर्वतमाला के पश्चिमी किनारे पर चढ़ गए और एक भयंकर युद्ध हुआ। उदेभान राजपूत से लड़ते समय तानाजी की ढाल टूट गई। उदेभान से लड़ते समय तानाजी धारातीर्थी  होकार  गिर पड़े, उन्होंने अपना सिर  का शेला उसकी बांह पर लपेट लिया और वार सहन कर लिया। तब तक कल्याण का द्वार खुल चुका था। सूर्याजी ५०० मावलों के साथ आये। अपने भाई की मृत्यु पर शोक मनाने के बजाय, उसने मुगल सेना को शीघ्रता से पराजित कर दिया। और उन्होंने एक घास के ढेर में आग लगाकर घोषणा की कि उन्होंने किले पर विजय प्राप्त कर ली है। जब राजा छत्रपति शिवाजी को पता चला कि वीर योद्धा तानाजी मालुसरे धारा तीर्थ के तट पर शहीद हो गए हैं, तो उन्हें बहुत दुख हुआ। तब राजा ने कहा, "किला तो आ गया पर सिंह चला गया।" तभी से इस किले का नाम सिंहगढ़ पड़ा।

• सिंहगढ़ के बारे में संक्षिप्त ऐतिहासिक घटनाएँ:

• उसके बाद यह किला कभी मुगलों तो कभी मराठों के नियंत्रण में रहा।

• इस किले की विशेषता यह है कि इस किले से तोरणा, पुरंदर, वज्रगढ़, राजगढ़ और आसपास के क्षेत्र का अवलोकन किया जा सकता है। एक विशाल देश निगरानी में रहता है।

‘जेम्स डगलस, एक पश्चिमी पर्यवेक्षक, इस किले को शेर की मांद कहते हैं।’

सिंहगड किल्ला ( कोंढाणा किल्ला) के बारे मे जाणकारी हिन्दी मे

Shihgad kile ke bare me jankari hindi me 

Shihgad Fort (kondhana ) information in English

 Shihgad Fort (kondhana ) information in English 

Sinhagad aka Kondhana Fort 

Fort Kondhana is an important hill fort in Swarajya. Rajmata Jijabai can make a correct observation about it. She is as follows 

“ It is not good for the Mughals to have a strong fort like Shivaba Kondhana. Take it to Swarajya.”

• Location : 

This hill fort is located 25 km southwest of Pune in the Pune district of Maharashtra state. This hill fort is located in the Sahyadri mountain range extending to the east of Bhuleshwar. 

• Height : 

The average height of Sinhagad Fort is 1312 meters / 4304 feet. 

• The average height from the base is 750 meters. 

• Routes to reach Sinhagad : 

• From Pune – Vadgaon- Khadakwasla, one can reach the base of Sinhagad. 

• One can reach Sinhagad by car via Katraj Ghat via Shivapur. There is parking facility at the fort. 

• Places to see at Sinhagad Fort: 

• Pune Gate: 

After arriving at Sinhagad by car, walk forward from the parking lot and you will come to Pune Gate. Today, this gate is a well-maintained structure. 

• From there, if you go up the steps, you will come to another gate. And then another one, and so on. This is a series of three gates.

Ammunition warehouse: 

On the right side of the third door, there is an ammunition building. The liquor required for the cannon was kept here. 

• In the year 1751 AD, lightning struck this place. This not only damaged this warehouse, but also the house of Fadnavis who lived there was struck by lightning. And his entire family died in it. 

• Horse stable Sinhagad: 

After going further from the ammunition warehouse, there is a horse stable built in the forest. Its structure is like a cave. During that time, horses were kept here. And their fodder was given here. 

• Tilak Bungalow: 

After going further from there, there is Tilak Bungalow. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak bought it from Ramlal Nandlal Naik. He used to come here regularly for rest. In the year 1915, Mahatma Gandhi and Lokmanya Tilak met here. 

• Kondhaneshwar Temple: 

This is a Shiva temple and a pind and Nandi can be seen here. Kondhaneshwar is the family deity of the Yadavas. 

• Shri Amruteshwar Temple: 

After going ahead from Kondhaneshwar Temple, Amruteshwar Temple is on the left. In this temple, idols of the gods Bhairav and Bhairavi can be seen. Bhairav holds the head of a demon. This place was originally inhabited by the Koli people. This is their family deity.

• Narveer Tanaji Malusare Samadhi and Memorial: 

While on a campaign to conquer Kondhana, Narveer Tanaji Malusare died a heroic death during the war. After climbing up from the back of the Amruteshwar temple, you will come across the Tanaji Malusare Memorial. Sculptures of the fighting Mavalas have been erected here and there. A beautiful garden has been created around it. In the middle of this memorial, a magnificent statue of Narveer Tanaji Malusare can be seen. His Samadhi can also be seen here. 

• Devtake: 

After moving forward from the Samadhi of Narveer Subhedar Tanaji Malusare, a small lake can be seen on the left. Some distance ahead from there, there is a drinking water tank. It is Devtake. Whenever Mahatma Gandhi came to Pune, he used to ask for water from this tank. 

• Rajaram Memorial: 

The Samadhi of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, the third ruler of Swarajya, can also be seen here. The construction of this Samadhi is in the Rajasthani style. After the death of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje, the responsibility of the entire Swarajya fell on Rajaram Maharaj. He fought against the Mughals for 11 consecutive years and kept the flame of Swarajya burning. He died at the age of 30, i.e. on 3 March 1700, at Sinhagad. 

• Dongiri aka Tanaji's Edge: 

Behind the Jhunjar Buruja, on the bank, there is a high western edge. It is called Dongiri or Paschimkada. Narveer Tanaji Malusare and Mavala climbed this edge and captured the fort.

• Kalyan Darwaza: 

There is a high gate on the west side of the fort. We can see two gates, one on each side. At the foot of this gate is Kalyan village. After climbing up from this village, these gates are one after the other, hence the gate is called Kalyan Darwaza. This is a difficult to climb staircase gate. A strong tower is built on its side. Elephant sculptures can be seen here. Also, the battlements on the gate have been built in a very planned manner to attract the enemy on this path. After Tanaji Malusare and the Mavlas climbed the ridge, they opened this Kalyan Darwaza on the west and together with the Mavlas and Suryaji Malusare outside, they defeated the enemy. And this fort entered Swarajya. 

• Udebhan Memorial: 

There is a square stone on the hill at Sinhagad. It is the Udebhan Memorial. 

• Jhunjar Buruj: 

After going further from the water tank, there is a tower. It is the Jhunjar Buruj. This is considered the last point of Sinhagad. From this place, one can see the forts Torna and Rajgad. In the east, one can see the Purandar fort. Also, the reservoir of Panshet Dam can be seen.

• Brief historical events about Sinhagad: 

• The name Kondhana for this fort is derived from the name of the sage Kondinya. In ancient times, there was an ashram of the Kondinya sages here. 

• Also, the Dravidian Mahadev Koli people lived here since ancient times. They introduced this place to the fort. 

• In the year 1328 AD, Muhammad bin Tughlaq captured this fort from the Koli king Nag Naik. To protect his power from the Mongol invaders, he shifted the capital to Devgiri. Then, with the aim of expanding south, he conquered this fort. But he had to face bitter resistance. The fort was given away because the supplies fort was exhausted. 

• When Muhammad Tughlaq went to Delhi, the Mahadev Koli people attacked again and conquered this fort again. 

• Until the Nizamshahi, this fort was owned by the chieftain of the Mahadev Koli community. 

• After the Nizamshahi, this fort went to Adilshahi. 

• During the Adilshahi period, Dadoji Konddev worked as the Subhedar of this fort. 

• After that, this fort was included in Swarajya by Shivaji. And in 1647, a center was set up here for army recruitment. Dadoji Konddev used to look after its administration. 

• In 1649, this fort was given to Adilshah for the release of Shahaji Raja. 

• After that, this fort was taken back to Swarajya. 

• During the Purandar Treaty, this fort was given back to the Mughals. Then the Mughal chieftain Udebhan, the Rajput fort master, was appointed. 

• It was decided to take this fort back to Swarajya. Then Narveer Tanaji Malusare and Shelar Mama and Suryaji Malusare and the Mavalas of their group decided to capture this fort and conquer it.

On 4th February 1670 AD, Tanaji Malusare along with his 300 Mavalas climbed the western Dronagiri ridge by climbing the kapari and ropes and a fierce hand-to-hand battle took place. Tanaji's shield broke while fighting with Udebhan Rajput. Tanaji fell while fighting with Udebhan, wrapping his headscarf around his hand and taking the blow. By then, Kalyan door had opened. Suryaji came in with 500 Mavalas. Instead of mourning the death of his brother, he rushed in with great force and scattered the Mughal army. And by burning the haystack, he informed that the fort had been conquered. When Chhatrapati Shivaji came to know that the brave Tanaji Malusare had fallen, he was very sad. Then the king said, "The fort has come but the lion has gone" and from then on this fort was named Sinhagad. 

• Brief historical events about Sinhagad: 

• After that, this fort was sometimes under the control of the Mughals and sometimes the Marathas. 

• The specialty of this fort is that from this fort, one can keep an eye on the forts Torna, Purandar, Vajragad, Rajgad and the surrounding region. A huge land remains under surveillance. 

‘James Douglas, a Western observer, calls this fort the lion's den.’

This is 

Shihgad Fort (kondhana ) information in English 

Pratapgad Fort Maharashtra information in English

 Pratapgad Fort Maharashtra information in English 

Pratapgad Fort Information: 

“ Pratapgad is a hill fort in the Sahyadri Mountains known as the fortress of valor”

• Pratapgad Fort Location: 

This fort is located some distance from the cool place of Mahabaleshwar in Satara district of Maharashtra state. 

When Chhatrapati Shivaji conquered Jawali, there was a remote Bhorpya mountain in the forest there. In this place, surrounded by forests that were difficult to reach, Chhatrapati Shivaji built this fort in 1656 AD under the supervision of Moropant Pingle. From this, the historical background of this fort goes back to the seventeenth century. 

• Height: 

The average height of Pratapgad is 1080 meters / 3556 feet. 

• Pratapgad has 475 steps. 

• Since this fort was built in the seventeenth century, its fortifications and other structures are still in good condition. 

• Pratapgad Fort: 

Built in the Shivajiraje era, i.e. in the 17th century, the fort's fortifications are very strong and its northwest elevation is more than 800 feet. 

If you take a photo of Pratapgad with a drone, it looks like a butterfly. 

There is a road to reach this fort. And this fort is easy to climb. 

• Route to reach Pratapgad Fort: 

The distance from Satara to Pratapgad is 87 km. 

The distance from Pune to Pratapgad is 150 km. 

• In the Satara district of Maharashtra, from the cool place of Mahabaleshwar to the west, after going through the Ambenali Ghat, Pratapgad is at a fork. You can go directly to the fort through that route. You can park your car at the fort's parking lot and walk a little. You can reach Pratapgad Fort. 

• The second route is from Poladpur on the Mumbai-Goa highway in the Konkan region, a fork goes west through the Ambenali Ghat to Mahabaleshwar, and if you continue along that path, you will come to the above-mentioned fork of Pratapgad. Through it, you can reach Pratapgad.

Places to visit at Pratapgad: 

• Pratapgad Mahadarwaja: 

After walking a little from the base of the vehicle and climbing 96 steps, you will come across a structure with a strong armored tower with a cow's face. There is a magnificent gate that even a tall elephant can pass through, it is the Mahadarwaja of Pratapgad. The importance of this gate is that here, this gate is still opened at sunrise in the Shiva era style. And it is closed at sunset. The placement of this gate is in the cow's face style. Cow's face means the view of a cow looking back while feeding a calf while licking it. Many gates on the Shiva era fort are built in this way. Due to this, the enemy's cannons cannot be hit directly at the gate. Also, a quick collective attack could not be carried out. 

After going inside the gate, you will see the deodras built for the guards to rest. There is a Shiva era cannon. And a lotus-shaped sculpture made to keep the torch used to light it can be seen on a stone with a hole in the middle. 

• Bhavani Mata Temple Old Road and Nagarkhana: 

After entering through the Maha Darwaza, a little further on, an arch-like door structure is seen. This is the old road to the old Bhavani Mata Temple. This road was open until 1957. But now it has fallen into disrepair and is now closed for security reasons. From here onwards, the remains of the Nagarkhana buildings can be seen. During Shiva's time, musical instruments were played in Nagarkhana every day so that Bhavani Devi would be pleased and her blessings would remain on Swarajya.

Pratapgad Lake:

After passing through the main door, you climb a few steps and at a bend you come across a beautiful lake below the path. Stones were excavated from this place during the construction of Pratagad. And so a lake was formed here. For this, water is first inspected on rainy days and waited for. And accordingly low places were selected and excavated. It used to achieve both the purpose of pond creation and construction.

• Bhawanidevi Temple :

 After walking up the steps from the Mahadarwaja, entering the fortified building through an arched doorway, there is a temple of Bhavani Devi. Tuljabhavani is the deity of Chhatrapati Shivarai and her counterpart is the temple. This temple has a beautiful assembly hall and a wide courtyard. The Shaligram stone used to make the idol of the goddess in this temple was brought from the Gandaki river in Nepal. This beautiful holy idol was made from that rock and consecrated and installed here.

This temple has a crystal-shaped Shivalinga. Chhatrapati Shivarai used to worship him. There is also a sword in this place. It is believed to belong to General Hambir Rao Mohite. It shows some signs of moonlight. A Chandni is a sign of killing a hundred enemies. One can see a sword with five moons.

• Hanuman idol: 

After going further from Bhavani temple, there is a Hanuman idol. It is believed to have been installed by Samarth Ramdas Swami. 

• Balekilla: 

After going further from Bhavani temple, you will come across another door. It is the Balekilla door. From here you can go to Balekilla. You can see the Kedareshwar temple, Shiva statue, and lake, tower there. 

• Kedareshwar temple: 

After entering the Balekilla door, after climbing the stairs, you will come across a temple, the Kedareshwar temple. While constructing the temple of Bhavani Devi here, a magnificent Shivling was found while digging here. Then the same Shivling was installed here, which is the Kedareshwar temple. 

• Palace ruins: 

Near Kedareshwar temple, you can see the ruins of some buildings. They are the ruins of palaces during the Shiva era. Chhatrapati Shivaji as well as other officers and Rajmata Jijabai also lived here. Ashtapradhan Mandal meetings were held here. 

• Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji: 

In the upper part of the fort, we can see a magnificent statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji. This statue of Shivaji on horseback is 20 feet high and its height is 16 feet. This statue is 36 feet high in total. Its weight is four and a half tons and it is made of bronze. It was brought here in the form of parts. Hearing this, 17 parts were brought here and joined and this statue was made. 

The then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, himself came to unveil it. 

This is considered the most sacred place. 

There is a government rest house nearby.

There are ruins of many buildings near this Shiva statue. If you walk along the edge of the nearby rampart from there, you can see the thief's gate at some distance. It is now closed for security reasons. At that time, if the enemy entered the fort, he could exit through this thief's path. 

• Watchtower / Shiv Pratap Tower: 

After coming back down from the fort, an armored tower is seen in front. It is the Shiv Pratap Tower. The saffron flag is always seen flying there. This tower, which is in very good condition, testifies to the prowess of Chhatrapati Shivaji. A path can be seen from both sides under this tower. It was built at that time for watch. 

• There are three towers on Pratapgad: 

• Surya Tower: There is a Surya Tower adjacent to the road leading to Pratapgad. 

• Yashwant Tower: This tower can be seen behind the Shiva statue in the fort. 

• Redka Tower: It is connected to the fort. It is a triangular tower like the mouth of a redka. 

The towers are very useful for monitoring the fort. These towers work to strengthen the weak side of the fort. 

• Sidewall: There is also a sidewall on Pratapgad. From which, if any enemy who was hostile to Swarajya was found, he was pushed down from this sidewall.

• Afzal Khan Tomb :

Afzal Khan, who came with the dream of capturing Chhatrapati Shivarai, was captured by Shivajiraj at the foot of this Pratapgarh. His grave is at this place. We can clearly see this tomb from the Shiv Pratap tower.

It is located at a distance from Pratapgad on one side on the way to Pratapgad.

Along with this, you can see many small and big doors and secret passages.

• Many nobles and chieftains from Shivakala lived on this fort. We get to see many of his descendants. People can still be seen here. Accommodation is also available.

• Historical events at Pratagad:

• Shivaraya conquered Jawli from the possession of Chandrarao More of Jawli. Then there was an inaccessible mountain of Bhorpya in the valley of this Jawli. Shiv Raya spied it and decided to build a fort there.

• On the order of Chhatrapati Shivarai, Moropant Pingale built this fort under his supervision and completed it in the year 1656 AD.

• Historical Events:

• The first major crisis in Shivarai's Swaraj work was Afzal Khan's invasion. Adilshah Sardar Afzal Khan of Bijapur marched on Shiv Raya with an army of 20000 cavalry, 15000 infantry, 1500 gunners, 80 guns, 1200 camels, 85 elephants.

• At that time Shiva Raya had only 6000 cavalry, 3000 infantry, 4000 reserve infantry.

• On his way, he destroyed the sacred places of Hindus at Pandharpur, Tuljapur, Shikhar Shingnapur and came to Vai. He worked here for twelve years.

Then Shivaraya decided to settle Afzal Khan with his wisdom. And after consulting Rajmata Jijabai and other Sardars, they went directly to Pratapgad from Rajgad.

Both sides discussed and decided to meet and make peace. 

For this, a meeting was arranged in the beautiful Shyamian area of the loft on Pratapgad. It was decided to bring only ten bodyguards. 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Khan knew that he was a traitor. Shivaji put on armor and put on a tunic. He put a cap on his head and built a temple on it. He hid a tiger's claw in his left finger and a beech in the palm of the same hand. 

During the meeting, Khan tried to betray him. He stabbed him with a sword. Then Shivaji removed his bag with the help of a tiger's claw and a beech. And he told the other Mavlas to hide in the bushes in the forest on the way. He wiped out the entire Khan's army. 

At this time, Sambhaji Kavji cut off the heads of Afzal Khan. They are buried in a gate tower on Rajgad. 

Pratapgad is a testimony to such valor. 

On the day that Afzal Khan was killed, on November 9, 1659, that day is celebrated every year as Shiv Pratap Din. 

After this, a large treasure and weapons stockpile came to Swarajya. And the foundation of Swarajya was strengthened. 

Both sides discussed and decided to meet and make peace. 

For this, a meeting was arranged in the beautiful Shyamian area of the Machi on Pratapgad. It was decided to bring only ten bodyguards. 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Khan knew that he was a traitor. Shivaji put on armor and put on an tunic. He put a turban on his head and built a temple on it. He hid a tiger's claw in his left finger and a beech in the palm of the same hand. 

During the meeting, Khan tried to betray him. He stabbed him with a dagger. Then Shivaji removed his bag with the help of a tiger's claw and a beech. And he had told the other Mavalas to hide in the bushes in the forest on the way. He wiped out the entire Khan's army. 

At this time, Sambhaji Kavji brought the beheaded head of Afzal Khan. It is buried in a gate tower on Rajgad. 

Pratapgad is a testimony to such prowess. 

The day on which Afzal Khan was killed, i.e. 9 November 1659. That day is celebrated every year as Shiv Pratap Din. 

After this, a large treasure and weapons stockpile came to Swarajya. And the foundation of Swarajya was strengthened.

During the reign of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, a battle with Kakar Khan was fought at this foothill in 1689 AD. 

Rajaram Maharaj showed great valor in this battle. 

• From 1656 AD to 1818 AD, this fort remained in Swarajya except for a few months. 

• In 1818 AD, the Third Anglo-Maratha War took place. In this, the Marathas were defeated. After that, this fort came under the control of the British. 

• After independence, in 1957 AD, a magnificent 36-foot-tall equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji was unveiled at this fort by the then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. 

Pratapgad is the heroic fort of Shivaji, which is located at the place where such a grand glory of Swarajya took place and was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji himself. 

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Pratapgad Fort.

Pratapgad Fort Maharashtra information in English