Home > Indian History > History of India > Forts of Shivaji
Forts of Shivaji
Forts of Shivaji have been marvellously built and figure many in number, almost over three hundred. There is no monotony seen in the construction of the various forts, and they correspond to the topography of the land.

Share this Article:

Forts of ShivajiShivaji, founder of Maratha Empire in western India in 1664, was well known for his forts. He was in possession of around 370 at the time of his death, covering a length of over a thousand kilometers, running along the Western Ghats mountain range. Many of the forts, such as the Panhala Fort and Raigad Fort existed before Shivaji but others like Sindhudurg and Pratapgad were built by him from scratch.Also, the fort of Raigad was built as the place of throne, i.e., the capital, of Maratha Empire by Hiroji Indalkar on the orders of Shivaji. This is the place where Shivaji was coronated and today also his Samadhi stands in front of the Jagadishwar temple. These forts were central to his empire and their remains are among the foremost sources of information about his rule.

All of the forts have been rather remarkably constructed. Certain outstanding features can be detected in almost all of the fortifications. The most remarkable feature is the adaptable pattern of its designs. There is no monotony seen in the construction of these forts. The designs of the forts correspond to the topography and are in harmony with the contour. Unlike in the case of most other forts of the time, there is seen the absence of ornate palaces, dance floors, gardens and temple complexes in these forts of Shivaji. Most of these forts have a double line of fortifications such as Pratapgad fort, Rajgad etc and there can be seen a remarkable foresight in the selection of the sites of the fort. There is not much difference in the area of the higher or lower ranks and there existed a system of inspection of forts by higher ups including the king. Other features of these forts include marvellous acoustics in the capital, community participation in the defense of forts, three tier administrations of forts and the sanskritisation of fort names. Forts of ShivajiThese forts have been central to his empire and they remain one of the foremost sources that provide information about his rule. The technical know-how and knowledge of Shivaji is amply evident in the construction of the Gingee fort in Chennai.

Some of the hill forts which were spread over long distances were supported by sea forts. For instance, the hill fort of Salher in Nashik district was at a distance of 1,200km from the hill fort of Gingee, near Chennai. Over such long distance, hill forts were supported by sea-forts. The sea fort of Kolaba, near Mumbai was at a distance of 500km from the sea-fort of Sindhudurg. All of these forts were put under the control of a havaldar with a strong garrison, and rather strict discipline was maintained. These forts were of much use during the Mughal-Maratha wars.

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Fort List: Along with Rana Kumbha of Mewar and Raja Bhoj of Shilahar, he stands as a grand figure in the art of fortification in Indian sub-continent. There are a number of legends about these forts. Even today thousands of youths visit these forts in his memory.

Lohagad
Lohagad is one of the many hill forts of Maharashtra in India. Forts of ShivajiIt is situated close to the hill station Lonavala and 52 km northwest of Pune. The fort is connected to the neighboring Visapur fort by a small range. Shivaji recaptured the fort in 1670 and used it for keeping his treasury. This fort was used to keep the loot from Surat.

Panhala Fort
Panhala fort also known as Panhalgad, Pahalla and Panalla (literally "the home of serpents"), is located in Panhala, 20 kilometres northwest of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, India. Here, the queen regent of Kolhapur, Tarabai, spent her formative years. Several parts of the fort and the structures within are still intact. Panhala fort was built between 1178 and 1209, one of 15 forts built by the Shilahara ruler Bhoja II.

Vijaydurg Fort
Vijaydurg, the oldest fort on the Sindhudurg coast, was constructed during the regime of Raja Bhoja II of the Shilahar dynasty. The fort was earlier known as "Gheria", as it is situated close to the village of "Girye". Shivaji captured this fort from Adil Shah of Bijapur in 1653 and renamed it as "Vijay Durg".

Earlier, the fort encompassed an area of 5 acres and was surrounded by sea on all four sides. Over the years the eastern trench was reclaimed and a road constructed thereon. Forts of Shivaji Presently the area of fort is about 17 acres and is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides. Shivaji extended the area of the fort by constructing three walls on the eastern side, each 36m high. He also constructed 20 bastions.

According to legend, this is one of only two Maratha forts where Shivaji personally hoisted the saffron flag. The other fort is "Torna".

Vijaydurg Fort was called the "Eastern Gibraltar", as it was virtually secure. Its locational advantages include the 40 km long Waghotan/Kharepatan creek. Large vessels cannot enter the shallow water of this creek. Also, Maratha warships could be anchored in this creek and yet remain invisible from the sea. It is a protected monument.

Ghodbunder Fort
Ghodbunder Fort is a located in Ghodbunder Village, Thane, Maharashtra, India, on the hill just south of the Ulhas River. The place was called as Ghodbunder because in was where the Portuguese used to trade for ghode (horses) with the Arabs. Hence the name Ghodbunder: ghode (horses) & bunder (port).

Sajjangad
Sajjangad meaning "Fort of Good People" is located near the city of Satara, India. It is the final resting place of Sant Ramdas, a saint, Guru of Chatrapati Shivaji and social reformer in 17th century India. Previously known as Parali, it was renamed to Sajjangad after Shivaji Maharaj requested Shri Ramdas Swami to set up his permanent monastery.
Forts of Shivaji
Bhuikot
Bhuikot means a fort that is built on flat land and not on any mountain. "Bhui" means Land in Marathi and "Kot" means Killa or Fort. Most forts during the Shivaji`s era were built atop mountains. However, certain forts were also built on flat land.

Torna Fort
Torna Fort is a large fort located in Pune district in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is historically significant because it is the first fort captured by Shivaji Maharaj in 1643, at the age of 16 forming the nucleus of the Maratha Empire. The hill has an elevation of 1,403m above sea level, making it the highest hill-fort in the district. A Menghai Devi temple, also referred to as the Tornaji temple, is situated near the entrance of the fort.

Sindhudurg Fort
Sindhudurg is a fort which occupies an islet in the Arabian Sea, just off the coast of Maharashtra in western India. The fortress lies on the shore of Malvan town of Sindhudurg District in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, south of Mumbai. It is a protected monument. This fort was constructed by Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, today also we can see his foot & palm print in fort. The construction was done under the supervision of Hiroji Indulkar, in the year 1656.

Raigad Fort
Forts of Shivaji Raigad is a hill fort situated in the Mahad, Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. Shivaji made the fort his capital in 1674 when he was crowned King of a Maratha Kingdom.

The fort, which rises 820m above sea level, is located in the Sahyadri mountain range. There are approximately 1737 steps leading to the fort, though today an aerial tram exists to reach the top of the fort. In 1818 the fort was bombarded and destroyed by, using cannons.

Shivneri
Shivneri Fort is a 17th-century military fortification located near Junnar. It is the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the founder of Maratha Empire. Chhatrapati Shivaji was born at the fort on 19 February 1630, and spent his childhood there. Inside the fort is a small temple dedicated to the goddess Shivai Devi, after whom Shivaji was named. There are statues of Jijabai and young Shivaji. It has been declared as a protected monument. There are many gates structures protecting this fort. Mana Darwaza is one of the many gates on Shivneri fort.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Indian Drama
History of Indian Drama is rich with Vedas and Indian epics and has gradually changed with time and remains unaffected by any foreign influence.
History of Khajuraho Temple
Located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is country’s most magnificent groups of temples.
History of Ayurveda
History of Ayurveda dates back to 5,000 years old and is widely considered to be the oldest form of health care in the world.
History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History of Indian Photography
An overview of the development of photography, through the various stages in India.
History of Delhi
History of Delhi began with the advent of Indian regal dynasties. Delhi witnessed the rise and fall of Hindu dynasties, Muslims and the British as well.
History of Indian Radio
History of Indian Radio dates back to late 1930s with the first establishment of All India Radio in 1936 that improved further after independence.
History of Punjab
History of Punjab dates back to the 16th century; however its formation is traced in the great epic Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
History of Maharashtra
Maharashtra, the land of charismatic Marathas, unfolds the legend of diverse culture and tradition, keeping in pace with the modernity. The gallant history of Maharashtra is still echoed amidst its historical relics and archeological wonders.
History of Kerala
History of Kerala can be interpreted from the inscriptions of Ashoka, Mauryan Emperor. History of Kerala is as interesting as its wide-ranging geographical features that make the land a place of versatile appeal.
History of Bihar
History of Bihar goes back to the very dawn of the human civilizations. Many eminent personalities and leaders from Bihar contributed for India’s freedom struggle.
History of Assam
In the ancient Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, Assam was known as `Kamarupa` or `Pragjyotish`. In the Mahabharata, the Puranas, the Tantras there are references of Assam as Kamrupa kingdom.
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands dates back to the settlement of the East India Company in the territory of the Islands.
History of West Bengal
History of West Bengal is rooted in richness and is an important episode in the history of India. The history of Bengal played an important role in shaping the history of India.
History of Jharkhand
One of the fairly newer states, Jharkhand was carved out of the southern portion of Bihar in 2000. The history of Jharkhand is seeped with a variety of cultural significances starting from the Vedic era to Mughal period and finally the British administration.
History of Sikkim
History of Sikkim declares the pre historic culture and the colonial era hilly politics and the rules of Sikkim.
History of Nagaland
The history of Nagaland mainly revolves around and deals with the customs and economic activities of the Naga Tribes and how the state has evolved since the Indian Independence.
History of Mizoram
History of Mizoram includes the various historical events and incidents which occurred during the various ages, right from before the age of the Mughals.
History of Jammu & Kashmir
History of Jammu and Kashmir involves a series of political and geographical transformations from every ancient era to the modern times also. Even now, Jammu and Kashmir has its political tension between Pakistan and India.
History of Puducherry
Puducherry was invaded by different invaders in different times. The invaders include Pallava Kingdom of Kanchipuram, dynasties of the South, Cholas of Thanjavur, Pandyas and Muslim invaders.
History of Chandigarh
In 1947, the British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Punjab was also included in this partition. So, there was a need for a new capital for Punjab, as the old capital Lahore became part of Pakistan during the partition. So, in 1948, under the leadership of chief architect Mr. P.L. Verma the construction of Chandigarh city began.
History of Daman and Diu
During the early stage, i.e. from 8th to 13th century, Daman and Diu was part of Goa.
History of Lakshadweep
History of Lakshadweep defines the first settlement on these islands under the Union Territory of India that was ruled by Cheraman Perumal, who was the last king of Kerala.
History of Karnataka
History of Karnataka comprised of the different rulers of different dynasties of various religions like Hindus, Buddhists, and later the Muslims.
History of Goa
History of Goa dates back to the 3rd century BC and reflects the rule of the mighty rulers and gained its independence under Jawaharlal Nehru.
History of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh possesses a rich historical heritage of culture of the ancient tribes. Being a bordering state of India, Arunachal Pradesh also has a history of military unrest since ancient Indian age.
History of Andhra Pradesh
History of Andhra Pradesh traces its origin back to the 5th century BC. According to the inscriptions, Kuberaka, the oldest Kingdom in South India had an empire in the coastal Andhra during that period.
History of Himachal Pradesh
History of Himachal Pradesh narrates about the various settlements and dynasties that emerged in the region over time.
History of Uttarakhand
History of Uttarakhand finds mention in the early Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand, Manaskhand and Himavat. Uttarakhand is called as the Land of the Gods (Dev Bhoomi) because of its various holy places and shrines.
History of Rajasthan
The history of Rajasthan is dotted with tales of valor, chivalry, camaraderie and romance.
History of Tamil Nadu
History of Tamil Nadu reveals that this ancient place in South India was ruled by various kingdoms like the Pandyas Dynasty, Cholas Dynasty, Nayakas Dynasty and Pallavas Dynasty.
History of Haryana
History of Haryana depicts various events and influences that have cast a profound effect on the culture and people of the district. The place gained statehood on 1st of November 1966
History of Odisha
History of Odisha goes back a rather long way. Most of the history of the state is replete with the dynastic as well as tribal struggle for territorial superiority. Odisha is a place where one can find the religion, culture and history flow in away that lead to cultural amalgamation of early India.
History of Manipur
History of Manipur can be traced back to the prehistoric ages and this was followed by a number of rulers who reigned the land from age to age till it came under British rule and later joined the union of India.
History of Gujarat
History of Gujarat can be dated back to the 14th century that later witnessed the supremacy of many powerful dynasties.
History of Tripura
History of Tripura is dealing with the early mythological history and the history of British rule in North eastern part of India.
History of Meghalaya
The history of Meghalaya predominantly comprises of the three tribes of the state- Garo, Khasi and Jaintia tribes. Later on Meghalaya was formed by carving out two districts from the state of Assam.
History of Chhattisgarh
History of Chhattisgarh dates back to the era of epics and traces through the reign of powerful dynasties in India like Marathas. The area developed a rich cultural heritage during British era.