Rajgad

Rajgad (Marathi: राजगड), literally meaning "King of forts", is one of the most impressive forts of Maharashtra state in India. Situated in the Pune district, the fort is approximately 4250 feet above sea level.

Formerly known as Murumdev, it was capital of the Maratha Kingdom (Hindavi Swarajya) ruled by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for almost 26 years, after which he moved to Raigad and made that his capital.

Treasure found on adjacent Torna Fort was used to fortify this hill.

Location

The fort is 42 km to the south west of Pune, about 15-16 km west of Nasrapur, in the Sahyadris range.

Parts of the fort

The fort can be divided into four different parts based on geographical terrain and fortification. These are the three sub-plateaux (Machee) namely Padmavati Machee, Suvela Machee and Sanjevani Machee, and the central volcanic plug called Ballekilla (meaning "small fort").

Padmavati Machee (north end)

This machee is the site of Padmavati Temple, Padmavati Lake, Chor Darwaja, Pali Darwaja, Gunjavane Darwaja, Daru Kothar (storage of arms and ammunition), Diwankhana, Rajwada (ruins), Ghod Tale (Horse Lake), Sadar (office) and Dhalkathi (flag hoisting place).

anjeevani Machee (southwest/west end)

This huge, beautiful and royally constructed machee faces west and has a three-stepped (layered) fortified structure. Each of the lower levels is separated from the higher one by a fortified bastion with a gate that could be defended independently. The lowest level is beautifully fortified by double curtain walls (chilkhathi) separated by a deep trench, on average 12 feet across. One can walk between these walls. The outer wall has openings to let soldiers out for sudden attack.

uvela Machee (south east)

This is another grand machee facing east with lots of secret routes and doorways. This one is a double-stepped fortified machee with the steps separated by a beautiful bastioned doorway. At the end of first step a hole cuts across the rock; one can sit on this hole (nedhe).

The final (lowest) step like Sanjeevani Machee is has a double curtain wall.

To the south side of this machee one can find a beautiful triangular bastion called Kaleswari buruz having an escape door near it. The home of the renowned military leader Tanaji Malusare was in this machee.

Bale Killa (centre)

This is the highest part of the fort which has remains of palaces, water cisterns and caves. It has a beautiful entrance door called Mahadarwaja. One can view the whole fort and the vast surrounding expanse.

urrounding hills

To the north one can see Sinhagad with its marked television tower. To the west lie Torna Fort, the pinnacle fort Lingana and, down in Konkan, Raigad.

To the east one can see the twin forts of Purandar and Vajragad (Rudramal).

To the south east one can locate Rohida. To the south are Kenjalgad and Raireshwar plateau at a distance Mahabaleshwar (seen through the "W" of Kaleshwar plateau range behind Raireshwar.)

History

Rajgad boasts the highest number of days stayed by Chhatrapati Shivaji on any fort.

This fort has witnessed lots of historic events, including the birth of Chhatrapati Rajaram, the death of Shivaji's beloved queen Saibai, the return of Shivaji from Agra, the antyayatra of Tanaji Malusare to his Konkan village, the burial of Afzal Khan's head in the Mahadarwaja walls of Ballekilla, the strict words of Sonopant Dabir to Shivaji, and the Khandoji Khopade episode.

Hardly anybody dared to attack this mighty fort. The diameter of the fort at the base is 40 km making it difficult for anybody to lay siege to it. Fear of the Marathas may have also been a reason.

Tourism

This fort is a significant site for trekkers and adventurous tourists to visit. Accommodation for 50 people is available in Padmavati Mandir. Water tanks provide water all over the year.

Routes

One can climb the fort from numerous route from villages at the base of Rajgad, namely Gunjavne (Gunjavne Darwaja or Chor Darwaja both on Padmavati Machee, and a tough route to Chor Darwaja near Nedhe on Suvela Machi); Chirmudi (Chor Darwaja on Padmavati Machee, the route meets corresponding route from Gunjavne); Wajeghar (Chor Darwaja on Padmavati Machee, the route meets corresponding route from Gunjavne); Pali (Rajmarga to Pali Darwaja on Padmavati Machee); Bhutunde (Alu Darwaja on Sanjeevani Machee); and Male (Chor Darwaja on Kaleshwari Buruj, Suvela Machee).

Another route from Budhla Machee of Torna comes through a connecting ridge to Alu Darwaja on Sanjeevani Machi.

The best way to reach Rajgad is to take a Maharashtra State Transport bus to one of the base villages for the ascent, and descend to another base village for the return to Pune, in order to experience different facets of the terrain.

External links

* [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=us&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100053412144074967991.0004463422a45cabe997f Way to Rajgad from Pune] at Google Maps
* [http://amitkulkarni.info/pics/rajgad-fort Phots of Rajgad fort]
* [http://wikimapia.org/133706/Aerial photo] at WikiMapia
* [http://aroundpune.com/rajgad.htm Rajgad] at AroundPune.com