🚩🚩Pratapgad: The Fort of Valour🚩🚩
Pratapgad Trip is one of the most memorable trips made before the outbreak of the pandemic situation in 2020.On the evening of January 17, while enjoying the breathtaking views of the fort, I remembered the stories we had been told and read from our childhood. The struggle of Shivrai and Afzal Khan, that scene stood before me.Pratapgad is a huge fort in the Satara district of Maharashtra. This is a great place to visit for a day trip and those who love adventure, history and nature will definitely love it.
This mountain fort was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to look at the road between Kineshwar and Par village. This fort is 1 km from Poladpur. It is 2 km west of Mahabaleshwar. Is at a distance. It is a popular hill station. It is 1080 meters above sea level. It is also known for the battle of Pratapgad between Shivaji and Afzal Khan which took place under the ramparts of the fort.
LOCATION :Maan Rd, Hinjawadi, Pune, Maharashtra 400033, India.
The Pratapgad fort today stands as a reminiscent of the glory of the time of Shivaji Maharaj.
The views from Pratapgad are spectacular. The fort is located in the western ghats region, which is well known as a biodiversity hotspot. It is a unique combination of breath-taking views and the mighty fort. The rare feature of the fort is the double-line fortification that divides it into two parts – upper fort and lower fort. The former is built across the northern and western side of the hill and the latter on the southern and eastern side. Besides, there is a temple of Bhavani Goddess on the eastern side of the lower fort, where Shivaji was rewarded with a shining sword.
Heritage and nature lovers can spend hours exploring this splendid place surrounded by luxuriant greenery. Visitors can also enjoy spectacular views of the wide Konkan Coast from the fort as it is at a height of 900 metres above sea level.
HISTORY: The task of building the fort was given to the prime minister of Shivaji named Moropant Trimbak Pingle and was constructed for defending the river banks of Koyna and Nira rivers. The famous Battle of Pratpgarh was also fought here.
Fight between Shivaji Raje and Afzal Khan
Shivaji sent an emissary to Afzal Khan, stating that he did not want to fight and was ready for peace. A meeting was arranged between Shivaji and Afzal Khan at a shamiyana (highly decorated tent) at the foothills of Pratapgad. It was agreed that they would bring only ten personal bodyguards each with them. All the ten bodyguards would remain 'one arrow-shot' away from the pair. Shivaji chose Sambhaji Kondhalkar, Jiva Mahala, Siddi Ibrahim, Kataji Ingle, Kondaji Kank, Yesaji Kank, Krishnaji Gayakwad, Surji Katake, Visaji Murambak & Sambhaji Karvar for the meet. Afzal Khan hid a katyar (a small dagger) in his coat, and Shivaji wore armor underneath his clothes and carried a concealed wagh nakha in one hand.
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Tomb of Afzalkhan
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As the two men entered the tent, the 6'7" tall Khan embraced Shivaji. He then tried to strangle Shivaji in his vice-like grip and pierced his dagger in Shivaji. But the armor under Shivaji's clothes saved him. Shivaji retaliated by using his "wagh nakh" (tiger claws) to slash Khan's stomach and disemboweled Khan. Thereupon Afzal Khan's bodyguard Bada Sayyed attacked Shivaji with swords but Jiva Mahala, Shivaji's bodyguard fatally struck him down. Also, a lawyer of Afzal khan krushna Bhaskar Kulkarni attacked Shivaji.Shivaji aware he killed krushna Kulkarni by the sword. Afzal Khan managed to hold his gushing entrails and hurtled, faint and bleeding, outside the tent and threw himself into his palanquin. The bearers hastily lifted their charge and began moving rapidly away down the slope. Sambhaji Kavji Kondhalkar, Shivaji's lieutenant and one of the accompanying guards, gave chase and beheaded Afzal Khan. The severed head was later sent to Rajgad to be shown to Shivaji's mother, Jijabai. She had long wanted vengeance for the deliberate maltreatment of Shahaji (Shivaji's father) while a captive of Afzal Khan, and for his role in the death of her elder brother, Sambhaji Shahaji Raje Bhosle. Shivaji sped up the slope towards the fortress and his lieutenants ordered cannons to be fired. It was a signal to his infantry, hidden in the densely forested valley, to raid the Adilshahi forces.
Maratha troops commanded by Shivaji's captain Kanhoji Jedhe, swept down on Afzal Khan's 1,500 musketeers; resulting in a complete rout of the musketeers at the foothills of the fort. Then in a rapid march, a section of Adilshahi forces commanded by Musekhan was attacked. Musekhan, Afzal Khan's lieutenant, was wounded and subsequently fled the field.
Shamiyana (Tomb of Afjalkhan)Meanwhile, Moropant led the Maratha infantry toward the left flank of Adilshahi troops. The suddenness of this attack on Afzal Khan's artillery at close quarters made them ineffective in providing artillery cover for the main portion of their troops. And as a result of this, the rest of their troops rapidly succumbed to an all out Maratha attack. Simultaneously Shivaji's Sardar (captain), Ragho Atre's cavalry units swooped down and attacked the large but unprepared Adilshahi cavalry before they were able to be fully geared up for battle and succeeded in completely routing them in short order.
The Maratha cavalry under Netaji Palkar pursued the retreating Adilshahi forces, who were attempting to join up with the part of their reserve forces stationed in the nearby village of Wai. They were engaged in battle before they could regroup and were defeated before reaching Wai. The Adilshahi forces notwithstanding the onslaught of the Marathas started retreating towards Bijapur. The Maratha army chased the retreating army and on their way captured 23 Adilshahi forts. The Adilshahi Killedar of the Kolhapur fort himself handed over the keys to the Marathas.
After numerous invasions and destruction, in the year 1957, a 17 feet high statue of Shivaji made of equestrian bronze was unveiled. The same year a road was constructed by PWD for better communication and transportation. In the year 1960, a national park and a guest house were also built inside the fort. This fort is now owned by Uday Raje Bhosale who is the heir to the former princely State of Satara.
HOW TO REACH:
By Air:Nearest Airport is Pune. Pratapgad Fort is 148 Km away from
Pune Airport and 224 kms away from Mumbai Airport.Karad airport is nearest airport located in Satara district. It is located around 125 KM from Pratapgad and t is currently being used for General aviation and pilot training. Mumbai airport is the international airport located around 225 KM from Pratapgad.
By Train:Nearest Railway Station is Satara is in 46 Km range. Alight at Satara Railway
Station.By Road:Pratapgad Fort is 81 Kms far from Satara. From Mahabaleshwar hill station fort is 23 kilometers away.
WHAT TO SEE : Go right after crossing the main gate for Tehani Buruj (Watchtower). These are the famous bastions which are always shown in the photos of Pratapgad fort. It was used to keep a close eye on nearby valleys. The Watchtower gives you a beautiful breathtaking valley view. As there is a bastion at the bottom of the fort, you can see the view of the fort from this bastion.
After spending some time at Bashan, we headed back towards the entrance. A few steps take you to the top of the fort. As you climb the stairs you can see the lake to your right. This lake is known as Rahat Lake. There are a total of 4lakes on the fort.
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| Rahat Lake |
The temple has a stately statue of Bhavani Mata, and this idol was taken by Maharaja by the Shaligram rock from the Gandaki River in Nepal. Alongside these idols is the crystal of Shivlinga. And the sword of the Chief of Staff, Sheri Hambirrao Mohite in the daily worship of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja. After moving forward to this temple there is Hanuman’s Temple on Right-hand side which is built by Swami Samarth, and after crossing the temple we come to Kedareshwar temple.
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Goddess Bhavani Temple
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| Kedareshwar Temple |
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Pratapgad Fort -Hambirrao Mohite’s Sword |
Honourable Sword on Pratapgad Fort InformationThe temple has the commander's(Hambirrao Mohite) sword and six dots are used in the sword. The commander of that sword had killed six hundred men in battle. There are also Shiva carpet guns outside the temple.
STAY & FOOD:There are many cheap hotels, resorts available there. You can camp at the top. Carry your tent on the weekends as the temple upstairs is always crowded and there is plenty of space left to sleep in the temple. So it's a good idea to put your tent on top.
VISIT SEASON: The best time to visit this fort is during the winter seasons {Winter (September to March)}. One can also visit this heritage site during holidays. It comes under the Maharashtra tour department and is promoted by Maharashtra tourism. Difficulty level: Easy.There is not much of trekking here. There are 450 steps from the base of the fort to the top. It depends upon the stamina of a person in reaching the top. Take plenty of water. At the parking lot, you can find water and snacks.
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| Pratapgad parking |
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