Maharashtra is fortified by over 350 forts. Every brick of these forts boast of the glorious history of the great Maratha rulers. Most of the forts are associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who glorified the Maratha Empire and is believed to have developed almost 13 forts. The forts are now serving as great tourist spots.

Forts in Sindhudurg District
Sindhudurg Fort and Vijaydurg Fort are the two prominent forts of Sindhudurg district, which are also popular tourist spots:

VijaydurgFort: Located in Devgarh taluka of Sindhudurg district, this is one of the oldest, which was built by Raja Bhoj II of Shilahar dynasty in the 13th century. The fort, also known as the "Gibraltar of the East" since it was impregnable is surrounded by the Arabian Sea from three sides. It was conquered by Chhatrapati Shivaji from Adil Shah in 1653. He renamed it as Vijaydurg.

Sindhudurg Fort: It is one of the most excellent sea forts of Maharashtra, which is located on the shore of Malvan taluka in the Konkan region. The fortress was constructed by Shivaji. Surrounded by rocks, the fort provided natural protection from enemy ships and gave the Maratha naval ships a secured base in the western sea.

Forts in Raigad District
Some of the popular fortsof Raigad district are Avchitgad Fort, Birwadi Fort, Ghosale Gad Fort, Karnala Fort, Khanderi Fort, Kolaba Fort, Korlai Fort, Kothaligad Fort, Lingana Fort, Fort Mangad, Mrugagad Fort, Padargad Fort, Padmadurg Fort, Prabalgad Fort, Revdanda Fort, Sagargad Fort, Sarasgad Fort, Sarjekot Fort, Sudhagad Fort, Surgad Fort, Talagad Fort, Tungi Fort, Underi Fort, Vikatgad Fort etc. Some other forts in this district are:

Raigad Fort: This is located in the Sahyadri mountain range in Mahad taluka. This hill fort is elevated up to 820 meters above sea level. It was initially under the control of Chandrarao More of Jawali and captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj when he defeated "More" in a fierce battle in 1656 CE, following which he renamed it Raigad and made it his capital.

Dronagiri Fort: This hill fort is a best place for trekking as it is situated close to Uran and Karanja. This fort was strategically important in the bygone era. The entire fort area is encompassed by dense forests.

Murud-Janjira Fort: This fort built in 15th century is mostly popular for its architectural grandeur. The fort gives an astounding view of its surrounding because it is located on the Arabian Sea coast. This fort was built for strategic purposes and it has secret spaces to escape and hide.

Forts in Ratnagiri District
The most popular forts of Ratnagiri district are Anjanvel Fort, BankotFort, Fattegad Fort, Jaigad Fort, Mahipatgad Fort, Mandangad Fort, Prachitgad Fort, Purnagad Fort, Rasalgad Fort, Ratnagiri Fort, Suamargad Fort, Suvarnadurg Fort, Yeshwantgad Fort etc. Some of the other forts of this district are:

Vijaygad Fort: Vijaygad Fort is 60 km from Chiplun. In 1862 the walls were found to be in ruins.

Goa Fort: Goa Fort is located 15 km from Dapoli. It is one of the three forts, which was built to guard the Suvarnadurg fort, the other two forts are Kanakdurg and Fatte Durg.

Forts in Nashik District
The popular forts of Nashik district are Ahivant Fort, Alang Fort, Ankai Fort, Avandha Fort, Bhaskargad Fort, Chandwad Fort, Galna Fort, Indrai Fort, Javlya Fort, Kanchana Fort, Kankrala Fort, Kulang Fort, Madangad Fort, Malegaon Fort, Mora Fort, Mulher Fort, Patta Fort, Pisola Fort, Rajdher Fort, Ramsej Fort, Ravlya Fort, Salota Fort, Tankai Fort,Tringalwadi Fort, Trymbakgad Fort etc. Some other popular forts are:

Achala Fort: It is a westernmost fort in the Satmala hill range. It is located at a distance of 55 km from Nashik. This fort is adjoining the Ahivant Fort. The three forts Achala, Ahivant, and Mohandar are very close to each other.

Harihar Fort: This is located 48 km from Igatpuriin Nashik. It is an important fort in Nashik district, which was constructed to look upon the trade route through Gonda Ghat. It receives many visitors because of its peculiar rock-cut steps.

Forts in Palghar District
The most popular forts of Palghar district are Arnala Fort, Asheri Fort, Bhavangad Fort, Fort Bassein, etc. Some other forts are:

Shirgaon Fort: It is located 6.5 km from Palghar district. The outer walls, steps, parapets, bastions etc. in solid masonry are in excellent order and worth seeing. The fort is located in the Shirgaon village.

Tandulwadi Fort: This is located near Saphale, 104 km north of Mumbai. It is not a fully built up fort, but a series of structures spread over the top of the mountain. The Fort dates back 800 years and was primarily used as a watch tower.

Forts in Satara District
The historical forts of Satara district are Ajinkyatara Fort, Bhairavgad Fort, Bhushangad Fort, Chandan Fort, Jangali Jayagad Fort, Kalyangad Fort, Kamalgad Fort, Kenjalgad Fort, Mahimangad Fort, Makrandgad Fort, Pandavgad Fort, Sajjangad Fort, Santoshgad Fort, Vairatgad Fort, Vardhangad Fort, Varugad Fort, Vasota Fort. Some of the other forts of this district are:

Pratapgad Fort: This was constructed on November 10, 1659, with the meeting between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan. Also known as Valour Fort, it is divided into the lower fort and the upper fort, and is a popular tourist destination.

Vandan Fort: Vandan Fort is situated on a hilly spur from the main ridge of Sahyadri. This fort is frequently visited by trekkers and pilgrims. The Chandan and Vandan are adjacent forts. The trek to both the forts can easily be completed in a day.

Forts in Pune District
The names of the popular forts in Pune are Bhorgiri fort, Chavand Fort, Dhak Bahiri Fort, Ghangad Fort, Hadsar Fort, Jivdhan Fort, Korigad Fort, Lohagad Fort, Malhargad Fort, Manaranjan Fort, Mohangad Fort, Narayangad Fort, Purandar Fort, Rajgad Fort, Rohida fort, Sangram Durg Fort, Sankshi Fort, Shaniwar WadaFort, Shrivardhan Fort, Tung Fort, Visapur Fort etc. The other forts are:

Sinhagad Fort: This is a hill fortress, which is located at around 36 km southwest of Pune. According to historians, the fort might have been built 2000 years ago. The caves and the carvings in the Kaundinyeshwar temple inside the fort stand as proofs of that.

Tikona Fort: Tikona fort is the dominant hill fort in Maval in western India. It is located near Kamshet, which is around 60 km from Pune. The word Tikona means "triangular".

Shivneri Fort: It is located in Junnar town; it is 120 km away from Pune. Shivaji was born and spent his entire childhood in this fort. He received his basic education from Dadoji Konddeo here. It has been declared as a protected monument by the government.

Torna Fort: It is the tallest fort in Maharashtra, which is located 60 km away from Pune. Shivaji first captured this fort from Mughals at the age of 16 years. Then he built more building inside the fort to make it more protected. Buses are available from Pune till Velha village. From there, one can take a trek to reach the fort.

Forts around Mumbai
The forts in Mumbai region are Bombay Castle Fort, Castella de Aguada Fort, Dongri Fort, Fort George, Ghodbunder Fort, Madh Island Fort, Mahim Fort, Mazagon Fort, Riwa Fort, Sion Hillock Fort, Worli Fort etc. Some other forts of this region are:

Sewri Fort: Sewri Fort is located in Sewri, which was built by the British in 1680. Located on top of a hill, this fort is overlooking the Mumbai harbor.

Belapur Fort: Belapur Fort is located near the township of Belapur in Navi Mumbai. The Fort was built by the Siddis of Janjira. It was later conquered by the Portuguese, and then Marathas. The fort was captured by the British in the early 19th century.

Other Forts in Maharashtra
Apart from the above mentioned forts, there are some other ones in Maharashtra- the names are Ahmednagar Fort, Akluj Fort, Akola Fort, Anjaneri Fort, Antur Fort, Bhairavgad Fort, Bhamer Dhule Fort, Bhuikot Killa Fort, Dhodap Fort, Galna Fort, Gawilghur Fort, Ghangad Fort, Ghodbunder Fort, Gowalkot Fort, Harishchandragad Fort, Hatgadh Fort, Irshalgad Fort, Kaldurg Fort, Kamandurg Fort, Kandhar Fort, Kavnai Fort, Kharda Fort, Kohoj Fort, Laling Fort, Mahipatgad Fort, Mahuli Fort, Malanggad Fort, Mandangad Fort, Mangalgad Fort, Mangi-Tungi Fort, Manikgad Fort, Naldurg Fort, Narnala Fort, Nhavigad Fort, Paranda Fort, Pargadh Fort, Pavangad Fort, Pettah Fort, Prachitgad Fort, Ramsej Fort, Ratangad Fort, Salher Fort, Samangad Fort, Sitabuldi Fort, Songir Fort, Suamargad Fort, Suvarnadurg Fort, Thalner Fort, , Udgir Fort, Vishalgad Fort, Balapur Fort, Visapur Fort, Janjira Fort, Rajmachi Fort, Suvarnadurg Fort, Narnala Fort etc. Some of the forts have been detailed below:

Daulatabad Fort: Earlier this fort was known as Devgiri Fort, but later it was named Daulatabad by the Delhi Sultanate Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, as he was very impressed by the fort and made it his capital and court. It was built in 12th century and there are many monuments inside the fort complex. It is located at a distance of 13 km from Aurangabad district.

Panhala Fort: It is the oldest fort located at a distance of 12 km from Kolhapur. It was built in the 12th century by Raja Bhoj. It stands 1312 feet high above sea level.