Kille Mahur

Mahur village, also called Mahor, is 40 kms north-west of Kinwat town in Handed district in the Marathawada division of Maharashtra.  Earlier Mahur was a big city and a Suba of southern Berar.  Situated on an eastern branch of Sahyadri Mountains, the hill fort here is very old and exists at least from the time of the Yadavas.  It was subsequently occupied by many powers - the Gonds, the Bahamanis, the Adilshani and the Nizamshahi rulers and finally the Mughals and their vassals.  The fort on its three sides is girded by the Painganga River.

The fort built on top of two adjoining hills, was protected by walls, ramparts and bastions.  It had two main gateways - one on the southern side and the other on the northern side.  The northern gate is still in a reasonably good condition, and so is its southern rampart nearly five metres wide.  The fort had a palace, a mosque, a granary, an armoury, etc., now all in ruins.  At the centre of the fort, there is a big tank call Ijalatalav.

Being situated on the main route from the north to the Deccan, Mahur has a long history.  There is evidence to show that Mahur, ancient Matapur, was an important place at the time of the Satavahanas and the Rashtrakutas.  The Renuka temple on an adjoining hill was built by the Yadavas.  After remaining with the Gond rulers for sometime, Mahur passed on to the Bahamanis in the 15th century and was made a Suba.  In the 16th century, Mahur, being strategically placed at their centre, faced a lot of fire from the infighting between the Nizamshahi, Adilshahi and Imadshahi rulers.  Then in the early 17th century, Mahur became a part of the Mughal Empire and came to be ruled by their Subedars.  When Shahjahan rebelled against his father Jahangir, he took refuge in the Mahur fort along with his wife and children, including 6 years old Aurangzeb.

About 2kms from Mahur bus-stand, there are two Elephant type (situated on an island near Mumbai) rock-cut caves of the Rashtrakuta period.

Pictures: Remains of rampart and a bastion on the South-Western side of the Mahur fort, and its northern gate ‘Hathi Darwaja’ (inset).  Behind the bastion, on another hill, is the Renuka temple.

Ballalpur, Chandrapur and Manikgarh Forts

Situated in Chandrapur (old Chanda) district of Maharashtra, all the three forts are of tribal origin.  Ballalpur, now known for its coal mines and paper mills, is 16kms south-eat of Chandrapur, the district headquarters, Ballalpur was the capital of the Good king Khandakya Ballalshah during 1437-62 AD.  The land fort that he built here on the eastern bank of the Wardha River is square in shape with walls and bastions.  There are still two intact gates set at right angle to each other.  There is also a small postern gate on the river side.  The fort walls are still intact, but all the old buildings are in total ruins.

The credit for establishing Chandrapur also goes to Khandakya Ballalshah.  When the capital was shifted from Ballalpur to Chandrapur, the Ballal kings built here an extensive land fort with high walls and bastions.  The fort had at its four cardinal points four impressive gates.  The original buildings have vanished, but the gates and a portion of the wall still exists.  Chandrapur was annexed by Raghuji Bhosale of Nagpur in the middle of the 18th century.  Finally the fort was captured by the Britishers in 1818 AD.  Now an industrial town, Chandrapur is also famous for it s old Mahakali temple.

Manikgarh, made famous by a newly established cement factory near by, is about 35kms south-west of Chandrapur.  Built by tribal Naga kings in the 9th century, the Manigarh hill fort stands at the height of 507 metres above sea-level.  It was strongly fortified with walls and bastions.  There were several tanks and buildings inside the fort.  Today, the fort is in complete ruins and has become a sanctuary for wild animals.  A pukka road through a dense forest leads very close to the gateway of the fort.  Nearby is an old temple of Vishnu.

Pictures: The Wardha river-side rampart and bastion of the Ballalpur for (above, left).  The main gate of the Ballalpur for from inside (above, right).  The ruined gate-way of the Manikgarh hill fort (below, left).  A portion of the rampart of the Chandrapur fort (below, right).

Ahmadnagar Fort

One of the most well planned and strongly built, the Ahamadnagar land fort is situated in the centre of the cantonment in the eastern part of the city.  Oval in shape, the fort is about 1.70km in circumference and is strengthened by 24 bastions.  It is surrounded by a moat, now dry, about 30 metres wide and 4 to 6 metres deep, and beyond it there is a wooded glacis.  The massive curtain wall, built of cut stone masonry, rises above 25 metres from the bottom of the ditch.  The two entrances to the fort could be reached only after crossing the moat over the suspension drawn bridges.  Inside the fort there are some old and new buildings, fairly in good condition.  Presently the fort is under Indian military command.

The Ahamadnagar fort was built by Husain Nizam Shah in 1559 AD.  The fort was besieged by the vast Mughal army in 1596 AD, but the garrison led by Chandbibi valiantly defied the attack for four months and the Mughals had to beat a retreat.   In the next attack in 1600 AD, the fort was captured by Akbar.  It remained with the Mughals till 1759 Ad, when it was sold to Sadashiv Bhau, the cousin of the third Peshwa.  In 1797 AD, the fort was assigned to Daulatrao Shinde, from whom it was captured by General Welleslay in August, 1803.  Finally under the Treaty of Pune (June, 1817 AD) the fort was handed over to the British by Bajirav Peshwa II.

The Ahamadnagar fort was often used as royal prison, both by the Marathas and the British, Nana Phadnis, who was instrumental in imprisoning many Martha noblemen in this fort was himself locked up in the fort by Daulatrao Shinde.  During the Quit India Movement of 1942, the entire Congress Working Committee was detained here.  Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru wrote his famous work Discovery of India while in confinement at the Ahamadnagar fort.

Pictures: The main entrance to the Ahamadnagar for with its two gateways placed at right angles (above).  The outer gate (only is upper half) is on the left side and the inner gate is the front one.  A water-outlet on the left wall of the inner gate with a sculpture of a tiger trampling on an elephant (insert, above).  A portion of the massive wall of the fort with a bastion, the most on the left is grown with babul and other trees (below).

Pauni and Nagardhan Fort

Pauni, in Bhandara district, is 82kms south-east of Nagpur.  The present town, about three kms south-west of the Wainganga River, is engirdled by medieval fortifications embellished by imposing gateways, of which those situate to the west are almost intact.  The majestic fortifications, which at some places are extant to a height of about 20 metres, were encircled by a moat of about 20 metres in width.  The ancient moat has now turned into a small seasonal lake and is called Balasamudra.  The fort was constructed by the Gond ruler Bakht Buland in the early 18th century and was taken over by Raghuji Bhosale I around 1710 AD.

Pauni, an ancient place, has yielded the relics of one of the greatest Stupas of India and definite evidence of a flourishing Buddhist establishment.  The Pauni rampart has yielded the copper plate grant of Pravarasena II of the Vakatakas who ruled over this region.  So it is possible that the clay of the rampart goes back to a period much earlier than the medieval.

Nagardhan, ancient Nandivardhan, the first capital of the Vakatakas, is 34 kms northeast of Nagpur and about 5kms south of Ramtek, famous for its fortified hill temple.

The present land for at Nagardhan, probably built by Raghuji Bhosale I around 1740 AD, must have served the purpose of guarding the eastern approaches to Napur.  Square in shape, it has an outer rampart with bastions and had an inner wall surrounding the buildings.  The main gate, still in good condition, is on the north-west side.  In the fort there is a temple below the ground level and the idol is placed on a ledge of a well like structure.

Not far away from the present for there is a place where big sized bricks of ancient periods are often discovered.  This is said to be a site of the capital-cum fort of the Vakatakas.

Pictures: A distant view of the Pauni fort with the ancient moat, now turned into a seasonal lake (above).  Wide rampart and high parapet of the fort (inset).  Front wall with a bastion and the main gate of the Nagardhan fort (below).  The main gate (inset).

Narnala, Akola and Achalpur Forts

Narnala fort, standing upon an isolated hill of the Satpuda range, is 18kms north of Akot, a taluka town in Akola district.  It is 973 metres above sea-level and consists of three distinct hill forts: Jafarabad in the north-east, Narnala, the principal fort, in the centre,and Teliagarh in the south-west.  It was protected by a curtain wall about 9 metres high with 67 bastions and six large gates.  The Shahnur or “Mahakali” gate, built by Fateh-ullah Imad-ul-Mulk in 1487 AD, is not notable example of Sultanate architecture.  The white sandstone gateway has Arabic inscriptions on it and is flanked upon on either side by galleries and rooms, probably for guards, but the most striking feature of the gateway is the overhanging balconied windows, two on either side.  Within the fort are a number of tanks and cisterns, large cannon, known as nau-gazi top, and old palace, an armoury, a baradari, a mosque and other buildings, all in ruins.

According to tradition a very old fort, Narnala was repaired by Ahmad Shah Bahamani around 1425 AD, and in 1487 AD it came under the control of Fateh-ullah Imad-ul-Mulk, the founder of Imadshahi at Ellichpur, now called Achalpur.  During Akbar’s rule.  Narnala was a Suba. Narnala was captured by Parsoji Bhosale I in 1701 AD and remained with the Marathas till it was taken over by the British in 1803 AD.

The history of Achalpur, formerly known as Ellichpur, could well be said to be history of Vidarbha (Berar) itself.  Nawab Sultan Khan, the first of his dynasty, built the fort at Sultanapura in Achalpur on the south the bank of the Sarpan River in about 1754 AD.  Much of the part of the fort is now in completely dilapidated condition.  The city was fortified by Sultan Khan’s son Ismail Khan by a huge and solid rampart wall of masonry with four gates.  Most of the fortifications and the gates are still intact.

Pictures: The Shahnur or Mahakali gate of the Narnala fort (above, left).  The overhanging balconied windows on the left flank of the Mahakali gate (above, right).  The remaining high tower of the Akola fort (below, left).  A gate flanked by two bastions of the Achalpur fort (below, right)

Tryambak and Chakan Forts

Tryambak or Brahmagath hill fort, overlooking the holy temple of Tryambakeshwar, is 32kms south-west of Nasik town.  The fort was built on a high hill with steep scarps to its each face.  Besides, it was fortified by walls and bastions.  There are only two gateways.  The main southern access is through the steep steps (about 300 in numbers) cut out of a near vertical scarp and passing through rock cut gates.  The northern access is through only a single gate approached by a narrow passage with steps cut from the rock.  The fort is now in ruins.  From the top of Tryambak, one can have grand view of the Harihar, Anjaneri and a few other hill forts.

Being in the category of Devagiri, Tryambak fort seems to be of Rashtrakuta-Yadava origin.  After the Yadavas (1271AD) it was occupied by the Nizamshahi sultans, the Mughals and the Marathas.  Tryambak and its cluster of forts provided cover to upper Konkan and so was of strategic importance.  In 1818 AD, when Tryambak was taken over by the British with a tough fight, the surrounding forts surrendered without any resistance.  The river Godavari originates from the Tryambak hill.

Chakan village and its landfort is 29kms north of Pune. Nearly square, the fort was protected by a strong wall with bastions and corner towers surrounded by a moat.  There was also an inner wall.  The fort is now in ruins.

The Chakan for is quite old and was occupied by several powers.  An Abyssinian chief is said to have made the first fortification in 1295 AD.  In 1595 AD.  It was given in jagirto Shivaji’s grandfather, Maloji Bhosale.  An important event occurred here when the fort was captured by Shaista Khan in 1660 AD. Being on the shortest route from Ahmadnagar to Konkan, Chakan was a place of great strategic importance.  The fort was captured from the Marathas by the British in 1818 AD.

Suvarnadurg Fort

The island fort of Suvarnadurg stands close to Harne in Ratnagiri Distric, a natural harbour famous for fishing and its marketing.  A very strong fort, its walls are cut out of solid rock and the ramparts are raised by using huge square blocks.  No mortar was used in the walls.  The fort has many bastions and a postern gated on the western side.  The hidden main gate opens towards the east.  It has on its threshold a carved figure of a tortoise and on the side wall, that of Maruti (Hanuman).  Inside the fort there were several buildings, water tanks and a place for ordinance.  All the buildings are now in ruins.

The fort was probably built by the Bijapur kings in the 17th century.  Captured and strengthened by Shivaji, it became a stronghold of Maratha navy and remained with the Peshwas till 1818 AD.  It was one of the main naval bases of the Angres.

Gova, Kanakadurg and Fatehgarh forts on the mainland are separated from Suvarnadurg by a narrow channel.  The small Gova fort was stronger than the other two.  It has two gates, one towards the land and another towards the sea.  On the wall of the sea-gate there are carved figures of a tiger, eagle and elephants.  The old buildings inside the fort are in ruins.

Kanakadurg has the sea on three sides.  Nothing remains of the fort, except two broken bastions.  There is a light at its higher point.  Fatehgarh is in complete ruin.  Most probably, these three small forts were built by Kanhoji Angre (1667-1729AD) to protect Suvarnadurg from the land route.

Pictures: A distant view of Suvarnadurg from the Gova fort (above), and a wall with a bastions of the Gova fort (below).

Kondana Sinhagarh Fort

Sinhagarh fort, whose earlier name was Kondana or Kondhana, stands 20kms, south-west of Pune.  Perched on an isolated cliff of the Bhuleswar range of the Sahyadri Mountains, its height above sea-level is 1380 metres.  Given natural protection by its very steep slopes, the walls and bastions were constructed at only key places; it has two gates – the Kalyan Darwaza in the south-east and the Pun Darwaza in the north-east

Sinhagarh has a long history.  It was captured from theKoli tribal chieftain, Nag Naik, by Muhammad bin Tughlaq in 1328 AD.  Three centuries later, Shivaji wrested it away by bribing the commander, by the Treaty of Purandar (1665 AD) had to cede the fort to the Mughals.  Sinhagarh was the scene of one of the most daring exploits in Maratha history when, in 1670 AD, it was recaptured by Shivjaji’s forces under Tanaji Malusare, who laid down his life in the battle.  On his death, a saddened Shivaji said, “The fort is won, but the lion is gone!” Whereupon the fort got is new name:  Sinha (lion) gadha (fort).  Finally the British seized the fort from the Peshwas in 1818 AD, destroying its almost all ancient monuments.  Only the traditional gates and broken walls remain now.

The upper surface of the fort is undulating and retains few buildings, Ruins of temples, tombs and towers are scattered about.  Near the gorge is a monument (Samadhi) commemorating the bravery of Tanaji.  There is also a tiny tomb of Rajaram, Shivaji’s son, who died here in 1700 AD. Also there are few bungalows, including that of Lokamanya Tilak.

In the Maratha period Sinhagarh played the crucial role of defending Pune.  The National Defence Academy (Kharakwalsa) trains its army cadet’s right under the shadows of Sinhagrah.

Pictures: Sinhagarh fort with its Kalyan gate flanked by two ruined bastions, and the Pune Darwaza (inset).

Balapur Fort

Balapur, a taluka town, is 26kms Akola, the district headquarters.  Situated at the junction of the rivers Man and Mhais, Balapur is a historical town and has a massively built fort, probably the strongest in Vidarbha and Khandesh regions of Maharashtra.  The fort was started in 1721 AD by Azam Shah, the son of Emperor Aurangzeb, and we completed by Ismail Khan, the Nawab of Ellichpur (now Achalpur, Amaravati District) in 1757 AD.  The fort is in a reasonably good condition and today houses some government offices. Situated on a high ground between the rivers, the fort has very lofty walls and bastions built of the best brickwork of its time.  The fort has three gateways, one within the other.  The outer or the lower fort is a decagon with a bastions at each angle, and above it rises, by the height of its walls, the inner fort which is a pentagon, each angle having a bastion, as in the lower fort.  The innermost walls are 3 metres thick and their ramparts are pierced with numerous slits at three different angles for the discharge of missiles.  Inside the fort are three wells and one mosque.  During the rains the fort gets surrounded by floodwater except at one point. The temple of Bala Devi, from which the town has derived its name, lies just under the fort on the southern side. Pictures: Balapur for from across the river (above, left).  Main gateway of the Balapur for leading to the inner courtyard (above, right).  Upper and lower walls and bastions of the Balapur fort (below, left).  The innermost wall and gateway of the Balapur fort (below, right).

Kulaba Alibag Fort

Built on a rock island near Alibag town, 112kms south of Mumbai, the Kulaba for is an imposing structure, measuring roughly 275 metres from north to south and 100 metres from east to west.  At low tide one can walk across to the fort.  The height of the fort-wall varies from 6 to 8 metres at different places.  It has a wide parapet with 17 bastions.  The main gateway of the fort, called Maha Darwaja, is in the north-east corner and faces the city.  The teak-door had strong iron-spikes driven in them.  There is also a small gate on its southern side.  The masonry of the fort is without lime mortar.  Inside the fort there is a fresh water tank, a well and several temples, the Ganapati temple being still in good condition. In the northern corner of the parapet, there still stand two English canons facing the open sea.  To the sough of the fort was ship-dock, visible even now at low-tide.

The Kulaba fort was Shivaji’s last construction and was completed almost on the eve of his death in April, 1680.  it attained importance under the Angres and was the main base of the Maratha navy.  It had palaces for the members of the Angre family, houses for their officers and storing arrangements for grain and other necessities. None of the buildings have survived.  The rule of the Angres, who were also known as Kulabkar, came to an end in 1840 AD. To the north of the main for there is a small fort-like structure called sarjyakot, sometimes referred to as the 18th bastion of Kulaba.  Sarjyakot was constructed to answer the artillery of hirakot situated on the Alibag shore. Picture: The Maha Darwaja of the Kulaba fort (above).  The southern gate of the fort (below), and the two English canons on the parapet facing the open sea (insert).

Lohagarh Visapur Fort

Lohagarh fort is 7kms south of Malavali station on the Pune-Mumbai railway line.  Situated on a side range of Sahyadri mountains, if divides the basins of Indrayani and Pavana rivers.  Close to Lohagarh, on its eastern side, there is another fort, called Visapur.  The approach to Lohagarh is from the village Lohadwadi, situated in the depression between Lohagarh and Visapur.  Climbing from the north towards the village, one can see on the left side the famous Buddhist caves of Bhaja.  The four large gats of Lohagarh are very intricately arranged and are still intact.  In the later Peshwa period, Nana Fadanis (1742-1800 AD) built several structures in the fort including a big tank and a step-well (bawali).  There is also a small temple and grave of a muslim pir.  On the west side of the fort there is a long and narrow wall like fortified spur called Vinchukata in Marathi (scorpion sting) because of its natural shape.

Visapur Fort is larger and also higher than Lohgarh fort.  Now in ruins, its history is closely linked with that of Lohagarh.  Making use of its higher position, the British troops in 1818 AD set up their canons on Visapur and bombarded Lohagarh, forcing the Marathas to leave the fort.  Lohagarh has a long history.  It was occupied by many dynasties: Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Nizamshahis, Mughals and Maarathas.  Lohagarh was captured by Shivaji in 1648 AD. but by the Treaty of Purandar he had to surrender it to the Mughals in 1665 AD.  It was recaptured by Shivaji in 1670 AD and was used for keeping the treasury.  Then on, the fort remained with the Marathas.  Ultimately Lohagarh-Visapur was taken over by the British in 1818 AD.

Murud-Janjira Fort

Situated on a rock of oval shape near the port town of Murud, 165kms south of Mumbai, Janjira is one of the strongest marine forts of India (the word ‘Janjira’ is a corruption of the Arabic word Jazira for island).  The forts is approached by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty.  The main gate of the fort faces Rajapuri on the shore and can be seen only when one is quite close to it.  It has a small postern gate towards the open sea for escape.  The fort has 19 rounded bastions, still intact. There are many canons of native and European make rusting on the bastions.  Now in ruins, the fort in its heyday had all necessary facilities, e.g., palaces, quarters for officers, mosque, a big fresh water tank, etc.  On the outer wall flanking the main gate, there is a sculpture depicting a tiger-like beast clasping elephants in its claws.  This sculpture, its meaning difficult to interpret, appears on many fort-gates of Maharashtra.

Originally the fort was small wooden structure built by a Koli chief in the late 15th century. It was captured by Pir Khan, a general of Nizamshah of Ahmednagar.  Later the fort was strengthened by Malik Ambar, the Abyssinian Siddi regent of Ahmednagar kings.  From then onward Siddis became independent, owing allegiance to Adilshah and the Mughals as dictated by the times.  Despite their repeated attempts, the Portuguese, the British and the Marathas failed to subdue the Siddi power.  Shivaji’s all attempts to capture Janjira fort failed due to one reason or the other.  When Sambhaji also failed, he built another island fort, known as Kansa or Padmadurg, just 9kms north of Janjira.  The Janjira state came to an end after 1947.  The palace of the Nawabs of Janjira at Murud is still in good shape.

Picture: A distant view of Janjira from the southern side (above), and the huge sweet water tank inside the fort (inset).  A close view of the eastern side of the island fort (below).  The sea water has scooped away some portions of the stone wall near the water line.

Pratapgad

Pratapgadh is a large fort located in the Satara District, of Maharashtra, India, 25 kilometres from Mahabaleshwar. This fort stands 900 metres above sea level. This fort was built in 1656 by Moropant Trimbak Pingle under the command of the Maratha rular Shivaji. The fort is best known for the Battle of Pratapgarh between Shivaji and Afzal Khan, fought on November 10, 1659, in which the Marathas successfully defended the fort against Afzal Khan's army. Afzalkhan, brave & formidable sardar of Bijapur during an arranged meeting with Shivaji Maharaj, tried to kill him trecherously but with great alertness Shivaji killed the mighty sardar instead. And in ensuing guerilla war he massacered Afzalkhan's mighty army.

The fort holds a temple dedicated to the goddess Bhavani, Shivaji's chosen deity.

Getting there

By Air : Pune is nearest airport 137 km.
By Rail : Nearest railhead is Wathar 85 kms away.
By Road: 226 km from Mumbai, 22 km from Mahabaleshwar.

Kille Vijaydurg

Vijaydurg Fort, also known as Victory Fort, is one of the many historically important sites in Sindhudurg District. Vijaydurg is in really good condition and gives a good idea of its glory 300 years back. The fort was center of Maratha navy in Peshwa Rule and was considered as a symbol of power of Maratha navy in Portuguese documents. Vijaydurg Fort is surrounded by sea from three sides, was once called as Girye or Gheriya. The fort covers an area of six hectares. There are 27 Buruj (tower) inside the fort of which some have three floors. Kothi Pirachi Sadar, Kitta Sadar, Jails, Jakhinis Canon, huge stones used for construction purpose, and the platform built in the deep sea for guarding are worth visiting.

In the 17th century, Shivaji Maharaj strengthened the fort by adding impressive features including the triple line of huge walls, numerous towers and the spacious interior buildings.

Getting there

Via Mumbai - Goa highway Sindhudurg and Vijaydurg are 510km and 245km respectively. Nearest railway stations are at Rajapur and Kudal.

Ferry services are available from Malvan port to Sindhudurg Port.

One can trek from Donaje to the top of the Fort. Bus services are also available from Pune.

Kille Sindhudurg

Sindhudurga fort is undoubtedly the most formidable of Shivaji's sea coast constructions. The Sindhudurg fort bears testimony to the Maratha supremacy and power, especially during the reign of Shivaji. Over 4000 mounds of iron were used in the casting and foundation stones were firmly laid down in lead. The construction was started on November 25, 1664. Built over a period of three years, the sea fort is spread over 48 acres with a two-mile long rampart, and walls that are 30 feet high and 12 feet thick. The massive walls were designed to serve as a deterrent to approaching enemies and to the waves and tides of the Arabian Sea. The main entrance is concealed in such a way that no one can pinpoint it from outside.

Even today, as one approaches the fort past a rocky reef, navigable through a narrow channel, one marvels at the transportation of such heavy material through such choppy waters. Within its precincts are temples holding the shrines of Maruti, Bhavani, Mahadeo, Jarimai, Mahapurush and also of Shivaji -- the only such shrine in the country.

Angre Bank, newly found Coral Island

Angre Bank: 40 km away from Sindhudurg is this beautiful coral island. Maharashtra State goverment has started developing this coral island as a tourist spot. This will help to study the corals, different species of fish, under water research. Diving for tourists and some other sports are being developed to attract tourists from all over the world to this newly found beautiful island near Sindhudurg. From Sindhudurg, one can take a small motor boat to reach the island.

How to reach

Sindudurg town lies in Sindudurg district to north of Goa. Sindudurg can be reached either by train or by bus from Mumbai, Goa and Mangalore. The Konkan railway has a railway station at Sindudurg. Only few trains stop here. There are state government(State Transport) buses running from Mumbai,Ratnagiri and Panaji.

Kille Rajgad

Rajgad' - the name describes the place itself, the king of forts. The capital of Marathas for a long long time. As the history goes this fort fort was built by Shivaji by using the wealth that he recoverd from his Torna take over. He spent almost 25/30 yrs here. The place of historical importance, very near from Pune. Rajgad is south-west 40 Kms from Pune. Rajgad is famous for its construction. Fort is of 1350 Mtrs. high, Rajgad is famous for its Padmavati Machi, Sanjivani Machi ,Suvela Machi and 'Bale killa' - the pride of Maharashtra. It is almost 500 feet high and really difficult to climb.

The Padmavati temple is the only place where one can rest. Sanjivani Machi, Padmavati Machi and Suvela Machi are places one can see over here. One can also see 'Chor Darawaja' and 'Pali Darwaja' on the machi. It takes about 6 hours to reach Torana from Sanjivani Machi. Suvela Machi can be considered as the strongest place on the fort. One can have a view of various places like Purandar, Sinhagad, Mahabaleshwar, Raireshwar, Torana, Raigad, Manmohangad, Makarandgad, Varanda Ghat, Lingana, Lohegad, Visapur, Tikona & Pratapgad, from Rajgad. Bale Killa which is one of the most difficult forts to climb in Maharashtra is another attraction over here.

Location: Maharashtra 50-60 Km South of Pune

Altitude is around 4,500 ft Getting there by (ST bus) Pune - Vajeghar - Pali or Pune - Gunjavne Best time to visit All seasons except Summer Season Other Forts nearby are Torna,Sinhgad,Raigad,Purandar,Raireshwar

Kille Raigad

Fort Raigad was the capital of Shivaji's kingdom, the place where he was crowned and where he died. Raigad also known as Durgadeshwar is the lord of all the 360 odd forts in the state of Maharashtra. Raigad is 3000 feet high above sea level. For its immence beauty, Raigad remains a hiker's paradice. The formidable Pratapgad fort with its equestrian statue of shivaji is an interesting excursion. You may wonder why is Raigad the king of all forts - but there is a very good reason behind Raigad being crowned as the king of all forts. It is because Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who roused the patriotic fervour by his guru mantra, Hindavi Swaraj, which later, became his war cry, chose this fort as his capital. The fort was originally named Raigiri. It was renamed Raigad by Shivaji who was coronated on June 6, 1674. Torna, Rajgad and Lingana can be seen towards the East of Raigad. Towards the South are Vasota, Pratapgad and Makarandgad.

After getting down at the Cheet Darwaja, to the right is a way to climb the fort. After crossing Valsura Khind and climbing about 90 steps you reach the Maha Darwaja. Another way to reach the fort is by the Wagh Darwaja, but is a very difficult path and often avoided by the tourists, but trekkers may like to go by this way. After climbing 100 mts from Maha Darwaja to the right is a Iron Pillar. 'Hatti Talav' falls to the Left. Before reaching the 'Main Darwaja' you cross the 'Ganga Sagar Talav' which is towards the Left. Going by this way you reach the Hirkani Buruj. The Hirkani Buruj is also popular amongst the tourists. There is a story behind this place naming Hirkani Buruj. The story is - Hirkani was a mother of an infant. She used to sell milk on the fort. One day she got late on the fort and the doors were closed, as a result she got stuck on the fort. No one opened the doors for her. Her baby was alone at home. As she had no other choice to reach at her baby, she climbed down the fort at night. When Shivaji came to know about this he built the Hirkai Buruj on that place and also honored Hirkani.

For Trekking:

There are many interesting routes to Raigad, varying from the relatively easy to the challenging. The path starts from Pachad, 24 kms from Mahad, a shallow sea port on the banks of the Savitri River. Raigad can also be an adventure-filled day excursion from the hill station of Mahabaleshwar or from Pune.
The Statue of Shivaji situated at he center of the fort is a beautiful one. Other places to see on the fort are Shirkai Temple, Jagdishwar Temple and Koli Lake. The 'Takmak Tok' is the most breezy spot on the fort. You can even see the arms and ammunition of those days on the fort. 'Bhavani Tok' is 2 kms away from the Wagh Darwaja.

Getting there

By Air : Nearest airport is Pune 126 kms.
By Rail : Nearest railhead is Veer on Konkan Rly. (40 kms.)
By Road : Mumbai-Raigad 210 kms. via Mahad. Pune-Raigad 126 kms. Mahad-Raigad 27 kms.
State Transport buses ply from Mumbai, Kolhapur, Mahad and Pune to Raigad.

Rope-way is available from foot-hills to the top of the fort (seasonal). On foot, about 1450 steps from the foot-hill to the top of the Fort. 

Devgiri / Daulatabad

Daulatabad is situated around 13 kms away from Aurangabad. The Daulatabad fort emerges dramatically over 600 ft above the Deccan plain. It is one of the world's best preserved forts of medieval times and also one of the few impregnable forts in Maharashtra with excellent architecture. The city was named Daulatabad 'The city of fortune', by Mohammed bin Tughluq, the sultan of Delhi.

The original widespread capital city is now mostly unoccupied and has been reduced to a village. Much of its survival depends on the tourists to the old city and the adjacent fort. The area of the city includes the hill-fortress of Devagiri.

It stands on a conical hill, about 200 meters high. Encircled by thick walls, spiked gates, steep slide ways and a deep trench. The fort has a coiled network of secret, quizzical and subsurface passages.Much of the lower slopes of the hill has been cut away by Yadava dynasty rulers to leave 50 meter vertical sides to improve defences. The fort is a place of extraordinary strength. The only means of access to the summit is by a narrow bridge, with passage for not more than two people abreast, and a long gallery, excavated in the rock, which has for the most part a very gradual upward slope. About midway along this gallery, the access gallery has steep stairs, the top of which is covered by a grating destined in time of war to form the hearth of a huge fire kept burning by the garrison above. At the summit, and at intervals on the slope, are specimens of massive old cannon facing out over the surrounding countryside.

Getting There

By Road : Daulatabad Fort is a part of the MTDC tour to Ellora from Aurangabad. It can also be reached by private taxi or by the local bus that runs between Aurangabad and Ellora.
By Rail : Aurangabad is well connected to Mumbai and other cities of the country. There are two trains that depart daily from Mumbai. The Tapovan Express leaves Mumbai early morning arriving in Aurangabad by late afternoon, while the Devgiri Express is an overnight train.
By Air : The nearest airport from Daulatabad is the Aurangabad airport, located around 10 kms east of the Aurangabad town. This airport is directly linked to Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur and Udaipur.

Royal Forts Palaces

Forts And Palaces of Rajasthan- Relics with the Previous 
For centuries, if not millennia, the Rajput fortresses, the defensive castles, the composite havelis - have been abode of chivalry the place hospitality was a strategy for existence. Site visitors, guests, even strangers had been welcomed inside a tradition that was a part of your lifestyles. Even enemies, need to they've arrive calling, have been treated with utmost respect "Aao Sa". And an extensive network of matrimonial alliances amongst the warring clans ensured that all battles was over around the field. It wouldn't be an extravagant quote to say, that if the Rajputs had not been so humble to their enemies as to let them in, the colossal forts might never acquired been conquered! Take a royal fort and palace excursions of Rajasthan to see the historical evidences.

The Forts That Stood The Test of Time
The forts in Rajasthan are little doubt the greatest manuscripts that spell the saga in the audacious Rajput clans. Believe it, these colossal structures are much more experienced than you and me. They have seen sandstorms lash the cities in summer time, trees becoming bent by fierce winds although they stood with their spirits excessive assenting the valor and intransigency of the mighty Rajputs. They've observed a 20th-century princess who fell in love having a man candidly, with out concerning that he traces his family tree all of the way again to monkeys, and married him in the encounter of medieval defiance, portraying accurate love amidst the desolate deserts. Above all the forts have observed mass immolations by thousands of graceful Rajput girls, charging to their deaths in ash and saffron, endorsing the devotion and amour that these glitterati had locked inside the secret archives of their heart for lengthy. They grabbed the horns of destiny and modified its course of journey.!!!.adequate to go away a foreign tourist mesmerized.

The famous forts and palace points of interest of Rajasthan in India are eloquent of the bygone era. The chivalry and gallantry of your warrior fraternity is reflected inside structure from the feudal homes. Everytime you buzz the bell, right after jaunting by way of the barren grasslands (due to the fact the forts ended up commonly built atop a hill), you will probably be greeted with a colossal entrance; carved impeccebly enough to brake your eyeshot, if you attempt to peep in to the voluminous courtyards disfavoring the grand architecture over you. The moment inside of you is going to be captivated to see the prodigious contours in the forts; lavishly spacious to accommodate 2-3 football grounds.

There ended up separate viewing galleries for females, and also the girls with the zenana regulated their very own durbars and maneuvered substantial power from behind the purdah. Stroll together the interspersed corridors although holding an eye open for the fantastically embellished jaalis akin to intricate filigree, displayed to the mammoth parkotas from the coliseum in your sides. A few of the eminent forts also houses appalling chattels for example the Jaigarh Fort, which boasts of the biggest cannon in the globe, the Jaivan. Consider a tour with the royal forts and palaces of Rajasthan to get pleasure from a historic vacation.

Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park 

Location : Bandhavgarh nationwide playground is situated in Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh.
Finest time for you to visit : The very best time for you to tour the countrywide park is from Mid-November to June and also the playground remains closed during the rainy season through the month of July to early November.

About Bandhavgarh Countrywide Park
Bandhavgarh Country wide Park is situated within the very low lying areas encompassed by cliffs and wooded Vindhyan mountains, and its plains contain wetlands covered by a variety of grass and reeds, which are the resting floor of numerous birds as well as other faunal species. This country wide playground nestled amongst the Vindhya hills came into existence in 1968 when the Maharaja of Rewa handed above the region to the government for it is formation. Bandhavgarh National Park presently is composed of an region of 448 square kilometers. The playground region is primarily dominated by Sal forests, which is the primary tree-cover found within the whole playground along with Bamboo. It was eventually declared a tiger reserve below Project Tiger in 1993.

How you can attain :
Air : Khajuraho airport, positioned in the length of 230-kms, is the closest airport from the country wide park and is linked by several domestic airline services with Agra, Delhi, Varanasi.
Rail : The nearest railway station is located in Umaria at 30-kms and lies around the Katni-Bilaspur area of South-Eastern Railway. An additional railhead at a convenient distance is Satna (117-kms) and lies around the Bombay-Howrah principal line from the Central Railway.
Street : Bandhavgarh National Park lies to the Satna-Umaria & Rewa-Umaria highway. The length from the park from a variety of areas are: Khajuraho via Satna is 230-kms, Varanasi via Rewa is 340-kms, Katni is 75-kms, Rewa 115-kms, Umaria is 30-kms, Kanha is 250kms. Madhya Pradesh State Transport Bus Companies are also available from Rewa, Satna, Katni and Umaria.

Wildlife attractions :

The Flora : Initially the region of the park was 106 sq-kms and contained 25 resident tigers and was thus said to have a high-density of tigers. Today the park has been extended to an region of 448-sq-kms and about half the Bandhavgarh playground is filled with fine trees of Sal, while mixed forests are discovered within the higher reaches with the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands extend to the north as well as the major wildlife viewing is still done inside the core with the playground with its 32 beautiful, wooded hills.

The Fauna : The playground was once a hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa and in recent times Bandhavgarh has been declared a country wide park in 1968. White Tigers of Rewa were learned within the same web site. The several animals found inside the playground are Elephants, Tigers, Nilgai, Chausingha, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar and occasionally a Fox or Jackal.

Park Trip
Jeep and Elephant safari: There are two ways to enjoy wildlife at Bandhavgarh - Jeep Safari and Elephant Safari. Jeep safaris are generally undertaken throughout the early morning hours till evening. A forest department guide is always their with all the visitors on these jeep trips taken within the playground. Most importantly, Elephant safari trips are organised for tiger tracking early inside the morning.