Forts of Maharashtra | Texture of Life

Rajgad Fort as seen through cloud The Rajgad Fort, Pune was built on the Murumbadevi Dongar Hills in the Sahyadris range. It was the first capital of Shivaji Maharaj and is also believed to be the place where Shivaji’s wife, Saibai, spent her last few days.
Rajgad Fort as seen through cloud Shivaji Maharaj spent 26 years of his life in Rajgad. Rajgad has witnessed several historic events like birth of Shivaji’s son Rajaram, death of Shivaji’s queen Saibai, burial of Afzal Khan’s head and return of Shivaji Maharaj from Agra.
Maha Darwaza, Rajgad Fort
Ruins of palaces beside Chandrakor pond
Chandrakor pond After Maha Darwaza, you see a beautiful half-moon-shaped lake called Chandrakor pond. This name is because of its shape.
Rajgad Fort Every fort has its own story, but this fort has so many stories to tell as it has witnessed most of the ups and downs of the Maratha empire. "Rajgad" the word itself tells the glory of itself! The literal meaning of Rajgad fort is THE RULING FORT!
Ruins of Rajgad Fort This fort was built by the treasure which was procured from the adjacent fort Torna. Every fort has its own specialty. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj stayed for a long time in this fort than any other forts of the Maratha empire.
Padmavati Maachi Padmavati Maachi is the most extensive and most wide maachi on Rajgad. Previously, this place was a military station and a place of royal residence too.
Pune Gate of sinhagad fort The most famous of Sinhagad’s tales is the one of a daring nocturnal attack in 1670 by Shivaji’s military commander Tanaji Malusare, which also been the subject of a recent movie ‘Tanhaji’ (2020). The attack resulted in the Maratha conquest of the fort, but Tanaji had to sacrifice his own life on the battlefield.
Ruins of Sinhagad Fort Initially known as Kondana, the fortress of Sinhagad, this place has contributed a lot to the Battle of Marathas. Carving on the Kondeshwar temple walls indicates that the fort has been built around 1000 years ago.
Sunset from Sinhagad Fort
Kothi Darwaja, Torna Fort The second and the main entrance door to the fort, Kothi Darwaja.
The Konkan Darwaja The Konkan Darwaja. It is in the direction to the Konkan region, Hence, the name.
Torna Fort Torna Fort is historically significant because it is the first fort captured by Shivaji in 1643, at the age of 16 forming the nucleus of the Maratha empire.
Stone ramparts that enclose the fort ruins Like most Maratha forts, this fort is also located in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Torna Fort is located on the highest point in Sahyadri hill in Pune district
Zunjar machi viewed from the top The massive bastion of the fort
Idols found in Torna Fort
Idols found in Torna Fort
Breathtaking view of Gunjavane Dam from Torna Fort
Torna Fort is also known for its picturesque and thrilling surroundings
Breathtaking view of Gunjavane Dam from Torna Fort
Spectacular Sunset viewed from Torna Fort

Chhatrapati Shivaji formed the genesis of the Maratha empire in the 17th century. While fighting with Mughals in the north and Adilshah as well as Nizam in the Deccan, the Maratha warrior had captured & restored several forts. At the time of his death he had around 370 forts under his command.

Let’s take a look at some of the majestic forts build by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Rajgad Fort as seen through cloud

The Rajgad Fort, Pune was built on the Murumbadevi Dongar Hills in the Sahyadris range. It was the first capital of Shivaji Maharaj and is also believed to be the place where Shivaji’s wife, Saibai, spent her last few days.

Rajgad Fort as seen through cloud

Shivaji Maharaj spent 26 years of his life in Rajgad. Rajgad has witnessed several historic events like birth of Shivaji’s son Rajaram, death of Shivaji’s queen Saibai, burial of Afzal Khan’s head and return of Shivaji Maharaj from Agra.

Maha Darwaza, Rajgad Fort

Ruins of palaces beside Chandrakor pond

Chandrakor pond

After Maha Darwaza, you see a beautiful half-moon-shaped lake called Chandrakor pond. This name is because of its shape.

Rajgad Fort

Every fort has its own story, but this fort has so many stories to tell as it has witnessed most of the ups and downs of the Maratha empire. "Rajgad" the word itself tells the glory of itself! The literal meaning of Rajgad fort is THE RULING FORT!

Ruins of Rajgad Fort

This fort was built by the treasure which was procured from the adjacent fort Torna. Every fort has its own specialty. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj stayed for a long time in this fort than any other forts of the Maratha empire.

Padmavati Maachi

Padmavati Maachi is the most extensive and most wide maachi on Rajgad. Previously, this place was a military station and a place of royal residence too.

Pune Gate of sinhagad fort

Ruins of Sinhagad Fort

Initially known as Kondana, the fortress of Sinhagad, this place has contributed a lot to the Battle of Marathas. Carving on the Kondeshwar temple walls indicates that the fort has been built around 1000 years ago.

Sunset from Sinhagad Fort

Kothi Darwaja, Torna Fort

The second and the main entrance door to the fort, Kothi Darwaja.

The Konkan Darwaja

The Konkan Darwaja. It is in the direction to the Konkan region, Hence, the name.

Torna Fort

Torna Fort is historically significant because it is the first fort captured by Shivaji in 1643, at the age of 16 forming the nucleus of the Maratha empire.

Stone ramparts that enclose the fort ruins

Like most Maratha forts, this fort is also located in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Torna Fort is located on the highest point in Sahyadri hill in Pune district

Zunjar machi viewed from the top

The massive bastion of the fort

Idols found in Torna Fort

Idols found in Torna Fort

Breathtaking view of Gunjavane Dam from Torna Fort

Torna Fort is also known for its picturesque and thrilling surroundings

Breathtaking view of Gunjavane Dam from Torna Fort

Spectacular Sunset viewed from Torna Fort