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Rajgad Fort
Coordinates: 18°14′46″N 73°40′56″E

Rajgad (literal meaning ruling fort) is a Hill

Rajgad Fort
region fort situated in the Pune district of
Maharashtra, India. Formerly known as Part of on Maharashtra
Murumbdev, the fort was the first capital of the Pune District, Maharashtra
Maratha Empire under the rule of Chhatrapati
Shivaji for almost 26 years, after which the
capital was moved to the Raigad Fort.[1]
Treasures discovered from an adjacent fort
called Torna were used to completely build
and fortify the Rajgad Fort.

The Rajgad Fort is located around 60  km Rajgad Fort

(37  mi) to the south-west of Pune and about
15  km (9.3  mi) west of Nasrapur in the
Sahyadris range. The fort lies 1,376  m
(4,514 ft) above the sea level. The diameter of
the base of the fort was about 40  km (25  mi) Shown within Maharashtra
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.

History Rajgad Fort

The fort has stood witness to many significant

historic events including the birth of
Chhatrapati Shivaji's son Rajaram I, the death
of Chhatrapati 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 Rajgad Fort (India)
to Shivaji. Coordinates 18°14′46″N 73°40′56″E

The Rajgad Fort was also one of the 12 forts Type Hill fort
that Shivaji kept when he signed the Treaty of Height 1376 m
Purandar in 1665, with the Mughal general Jai Site information
Singh I, leader of the Mughal forces. Under Owner
this treaty, 23 forts were handed over to the Maratha Empire (1656–1689;
Mughals.[2] 1707–1818)
Mughal Empire (1689–1707)

List of chronological events East India Company (1818–1858)

British Empire (1858–1947)
Government of India (1947–
present)
Open to Yes
the public

Site history
Architect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Year Date Event

1490 Ahmed Bahiri Nizamshah captured the fort.

1626 During the Nizam's last struggle, Adilshah captured the fort.

1630 The fort was recaptured by Nizamshah with the help of Shahaji.

1642 The fort was in the jagir of Shahaji Raje.

1647 chhatrapati shivaji maharaj captured the fort.

1649 Repairs on the fort began and Shamrao Neelkanth Ranzekar was appointed as the Peshwa.

The fort was renamed as "Rajgad". Construction on new fortifications and buildings
1654
commenced.
14
1658 Shivaji returned to Rajgad after conquering North Konkan.
January

1659 11 July Shivaji shifted to Pratapgad in order to battle with Afzal Khan.

5
1659 Maharani Saibai (Shivaji's wife) died in the Rajgad Fort.
September
1660 July Shivaji escaped from Siddi Jouhar's siege of Panhala and came to Rajgad.

The idol of Bhavanimata, which was to be established in Pratapgad, was first brought to
1661 July
Rajgad to be inspected by Jijabai.
The construction of the Rajgad fort was completed and Shivaji returned to the fort after
1662 January
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.
 24
1670 Rajaram was born on the Fort.
February
1671 The repairing of the fort began at an expected cost of 10,000 hons.

1674 6 June Coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj happened on Riagard Fort

1689 June The fort was captured by the Mughals after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was murdered.
1692 Shankarji Narayan captured the fort from the Mughals.

1697 Rajaram returned to Maharashtra and made Rajgad his new capital[1]
1701 4 August Shahaji Mohite was made the havaldar of Padmavati Machi

18 The fort was handed over to Aurangzeb as part of a treaty. The fort was renamed to
1704
February 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

The Fort
 Bale Killa, Rajgad Ballekilla, Rajgad Sanjivani Machi- Rajgad
view from Rajgad
Mahadwar

See also
India portal

List of forts in Maharashtra

References
1. Prof. A. R. Kulkarni (1 July 2008). "Rajgad: The first capital of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj".
Medieval Maratha Country (https://books.google.com/books?id=OY5LDwAAQBAJ).
Diamond Publications. ISBN 978-81-8483-072-9.
2. "Rajgarh Fort History" (http://www.travelomy.com/rajgarh-fort/). Travelomy. Retrieved
8 February 2012.

External links
Amazing Maharashtra (http://www.amazingmaharashtra.com/2012/12/rajgad.html)
Rajgad Fort Information in Marathi (https://marathisuchak.com/rajgad-fort-information-marath
i/)
Pune Trekkers (http://www.punetrekkers.com/rajgad-fort)

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