Rajgad Fort

{{short description|Hill fort in Pune district, Maharashtra, India}}

{{Infobox military installation

| name = Rajgad Fort

| partof = on Maharashtra

| location = Pune District, Maharashtra

| pushpin_map = India Maharashtra#India

| pushpin_mapsize = 300

| pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Maharashtra

| coordinates = {{coord|18.2459862|73.6821929|type:landmark_region:IN-MH|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| type = Hill fort

| height = 1376 m

| architect = Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

| ownership = *Maratha Empire (1656–1689; 1707–1818)

Mughal Empire (1689–1707)
East India Company (1818–1858)
British Empire (1858–1947)
Government of India (1947–present)

| open_to_public = Yes

| mapframe = yes

| mapframe-wikidata = yes

| mapframe-zoom = 16

| image = Suvela machi,Rajgad fort, Maharashtra,India July2015.jpg

| caption = Rajgad Fort

}}

Rajgad (literal meaning ruling fort) is a Hill region fort situated in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India. Formerly known as Murumbdev, the fort was the first 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.{{cite book|author=Prof. A. R. Kulkarni|title=Medieval Maratha Country|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OY5LDwAAQBAJ|date=1 July 2008|publisher=Diamond Publications|isbn=978-81-8483-072-9|chapter=Rajgad: The first capital of Shivaji}} Treasures discovered from an adjacent fort called Torna were used to completely build and fortify the Rajgad Fort.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

The Rajgad Fort is located around {{Convert|60|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the south-west of Pune and about {{Convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Nasrapur in the Sahyadris range. The fort lies {{Convert|1376|m|ft|abbr=on}} above the sea level. The diameter of the base of the fort was about {{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} 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 Shivaji on any fort. {{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

History

The fort has stood witness to many significant historic events including the birth of Shivaji's son Rajaram I, the death of Shivaji's wife 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.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

The Rajgad Fort was also one of the 12 forts that chatrapati 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.{{cite web|url =http://www.travelomy.com/rajgarh-fort/ | title =Rajgarh Fort History |publisher = Travelomy | access-date = 2012-02-08}}

=List of chronological events=


class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
1647		Chhatrapati Shivaji captures the fort.
1649		Repairs on the fort began and Shamrao Neelkanth Ranzekar was appointed as the Peshwa.
1654		The fort was renamed as "Rajgad". Construction on new fortifications and buildings commenced.
1658	14 January	Shivaji returns to Rajgad after conquering North Konkan.
1659	11 July	Shivaji shifts to Pratapgad in order to battle with Afzal Khan.
1659	5 September	Maharani Saibai (Shivaji's wife) died in the Rajgad Fort.
1660	July	Shivaji escaped from Siddi Jouhar's siege of Panhala and came to Vishalgad and then to Rajgad.
1661	July	The idol of Bhavanimata, which was to be established in Pratapgad, was first brought to Rajgad to be inspected by Jijabai.
1662	January	The construction of the Rajgad fort was completed and Shivaji returned to the fort after capturing Pen and Kalyan.
1664	February	The booty of Surat was brought to Rajgad.
1665	30 April	The Mughals were unsuccessful on their attack of the fort.
1665	June	Shivaji's letter of accepting defeat was sent to Jaisingh.
1670	24 February	Rajaram was born on the Fort.
1671		The repairing of the fort began at an expected cost of 10,000 hons.
1674	6 June	Coronation of Shivaji happened on Riagard Fort {{citation needed\|date=May 2022}}
1689	June	The fort was captured by the Mughals after Sambhaji was murdered.
1692		Shankarji Narayan captured the fort from the Mughals.
1697		Rajaram returned to Maharashtra and made Rajgad his new capital
1701	4 August	Shahaji Mohite was made the havaldar of Padmavati Machi
1704	18 February	The fort was handed over to Aurangzeb as part of a treaty. The fort was renamed to Nabishahagad. Sidojirao Thopte and Santaji Shilimkar were killed here by Aurangzeb.
1707	29 May	Gunaji Sawant captured the fort and The Maratha War of Independence ended.
1709		Shahu made provisions for the repairs of the fort.
1818		The 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.

Gallery

File:Gadancha Raja, Rajancha Gad.jpg|Suvela machi

File:Rajgad 28.JPG|Main door bastion

File:Rajgad Fort.jpg|Bastion

File:Rajgad 30.JPG|steps

File:Rajgad 37.JPG|Pali darwaza

File:Rajgad3.jpg|Duba

File:Rajgad5.jpg|Duba view

File:Rajgad012.jpg|Fort mountain

File:Bali Khila Rajgad Maharashtra.jpg|Bale Killa of Rajgad

File:Ballekilla, Rajgad.jpg|Ballekilla, Rajgad

File:Sanjivani Machi-view from Rajgad Mahadwar.jpg|Suvela Machi view from Rajgad balekilla Mahadwar

File:.... Rajgad 16.JPG|Sanjeevani machi

File:Nedha- TheNeedle Head of Fort Rajgad 01.jpg|Nedha at Suvela machi

References

External links

[http://www.amazingmaharashtra.com/2012/12/rajgad.html Amazing Maharashtra]
[https://marathisuchak.com/rajgad-fort-information-marathi/ Rajgad Fort Information in Marathi]
[http://www.punetrekkers.com/rajgad-fort Pune Trekkers]

Category:Forts in Pune district

Category:Former capital cities in India

Category:Buildings and structures of the Maratha Empire