A Rich Historic Landmark of the Maratha Empire: Raigad Fort

Raigad Fort

Conquered by the distinguished Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Raigad Fort is an imposing and popular landmark located in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. One of the most robust fortresses, it was proclaimed as his capital after he was crowned as king of the Maratha kingdom and eventually, the entire Maratha empire. This famous monument is popularly known as the ‘Gibraltar of the East’ throughout the world and is an aesthetically appealing fort that is accessed via a single pathway comprising 1737 steps. Strategically built to combat enemies, the craftily designed architecture and design of centuries ago are still mesmerizing.

Enveloped all over by lush greenery of the Sahyadri mountain range, it has quaint little gateways that give its visitors some enchantment and a peek at how people used to access these back in the day. These gateways are mainly named Mena Darwaja, Palkhi Darwaja, Nagarkhana Darwaja, and Maha Darwaja. The strongest fortress of the Deccan Plateau is located 820 meters above sea level and can be spotted towering from miles away. A landmark in itself, the Raigad Fort is a prominent monument that serves as a reminder of the glorious days of the Marathas. Today, it sees an influx of both, tourists as well as the local crowd that visit there for various purposes such as trekking, picnics, sightseeing, sunset viewing, and various other activities.

History Behind Raigad Fort 

The chronicles of Raigad Fort: history and local lore go back as far as 1656 when the valiant Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj seized the Rairi Fort from the famous ruler of Jawali, Rajchandraji More, and made it his capital city by 1674. He then heavily expanded it as well as renovated it, after which he renamed it Raigad. Situated at the base of the fort lie the prolific villages of Pachad and Raigawadi, which have had an important role to play in defending the royal house. It has been noted that then, a cavalry of 10,000 men was always kept on standby in Pachad at the time of the Maratha’s rule. Located strategically, it was further fortified and reinforced to ensure that it was well guarded against enemies. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj also built another fort called Lingana fort nearby to house captured prisoners.

In 1689, Zulfikar Khan captured Raigad, and then its name was changed to Islangad by Aurangzeb. Other Mughal invaders then took over the fort in 1707 and then kept it theirs until 1733. Eventually, sometime after 1733, the British East India Company carried out an armed expedition against the fort, destroyed the Maratha empire’s legacy completely, and took control over the ruins.

A Complete Guide for First Time Visitors 

A major tourism spot in Mahad, in the state of Maharashtra in India, Raigad Fort has a reputation that precedes itself as being the strongest fortress of the Deccan Plateau. Peeking out from the Sahyadri mountain range, it is a prolific piece of pride for the history of the Maratha Empire of the Indian heritage. Have a look at what all it consists of and everything you can get from your visit to this monumental structure.

Entry to the Fort

Located at the foothills of the fort close to the Pachad village is the Chit Darwaja, which is where visitors can make their entrance on foot. From here, one gets led towards the Khoob Ladha Buruj and then onwards to the Maha Darwaja, which is the main entrance of Raigad Fort.

Created centuries back, this enthralling entrance is huge and the carvings on it indicate the glory and pride that the Maratha dynasty held. This will be quite a trek comprising of 1737 steps and every step of the way will have a lush green landscape surrounding it. Those who might find this task arduous to make on foot can take the Raigad ropeway, an aerial tramway that will take them directly to Mena Darwaja located right at the top of the fort after which, you can head on to Rani Vasa. When you reach Mena Darwaja, you will also be able to see the complex of the king’s secretaries from back in the day. This entrance also acts as a separate entrance for women.

Exploring the Fort 

As mentioned above, there are many pertinent features of the Raigad Fort that are divided into ruins, towers, execution points, gateways, and much more. Have a look below at the places within the palace grounds that you can explore;

  1. Rani Vasa

First-time visitors should not miss exploring the beautiful chambers of the queen. Named Rani Vasa, this establishment comprises six chambers, each of which has en-suites. These chambers used to be home to Shivaji Maharaj’s mother as well as other royal women. Of the few original ruins remaining, Rani Vasa structures are some of the only creations that are still intact from back then.

  1. Raj Bhavan 

Made completely out of solid wood, Raj Bhavan was the main place where Shivaji Maharaj spent his time. This structure was destroyed during combat but the pillars which are stood on have remained. Raj Bhavan has witnessed some of the greatest moments during the martyr’s ruling ranging from sorrows, joys, victories, defeat, happiness, and generosity.

  1. Palkhi Darwaja 

Right ahead of Rani Vasa is Palkhi Darwaja, which served as a dedicated doorway for Shivaji Maharaj along with his convoy. Along the right-hand side of the door lie, three dark rooms which historians have said were granaries of the fort.

  1. The Royal Bath 

The Royal bath had an impressive drainage system which has taken the interest and awe of many architects and historians. Amazingly enough, it also has an exciting history to it where it leads to an underground cellar in which several secretive activities used to take place such as storing loot, worship, conspiring war theories, and much more. Visiting this place will transform you into the world of secrecy prevalent centuries ago.

  1. Watchtowers 

Three watchtowers that were used to guard this gargantuan monument are still present in the fort. While two of the three towers are still standing, one was destroyed in one of the British attacks. You will see the outline of the third watchtower there.

Places to Explore Near Raigad Fort 

Not only can you spend a wonderful time at the fort, but also at some of the lovely attractions near the monument. Listed below are some of the popular places you can witness while visiting Raigad Fort.

  • Jagadishwar Temple – Built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, this temple was made to shower devotion towards Lord Jagadishwar.
  • Gangasagar Lake – This is a beautiful artificial lake acting as a scenic backdrop to the snowcapped Sahyadri peaks, located at the foot of Pachad village. It is believed to have been created during the time of Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation.
  • Raigad Museum  Located on the lower floors of Raigad Fort, the Raigad museum houses a collection of paintings, literature, artifacts, ornaments, weaponry, and many more items that have been preserved from the Maratha empire dynasty.
  • Jijamata Palace – Pay your respects to the lady who is claimed to be the reason behind Shivaji Maharaj’s success at the Jijamata Palace. Destroyed during the British invasion, what remains of it is now conserved by the archaeological survey of India. (ASI)

Key Takeaways from Raigad Fort 

Despite is being in ruins today, the majestic Raigad fort still stands tall, giving visitors an idea of its grandeur and valor dating back to the 1600s. There is a whole history behind this beautiful monument, of which the main takeaways are stated below as Raigad Fort: Key Facts.

  • This fort was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a brave pioneer of the Maratha Empire.
  • Cleverly architectured, the fort is entirely made from wood, with only the base pillar remaining as of today.
  • Raigad Fort was engineered by the renowned Hirojee Indulkar.
  • 1737 steps lead to the main fort.
  • It was looted and destroyed in the 1900s by the British.
  • The fort is situated 820 meters above sea level.
  • In total, there are six chambers including private bathrooms and the queen’s chambers in the main fort.
  • The view from the fort is of the scenic and beautiful Ganga Sagar artificial lake.
  • Two prolific villages, Pachad and Raigawadi that were pertinent to safeguard the fort are still nestled at the base.
  • The remains of three watchtowers still stand tall on the grounds of the palace as of today.
  • The ruins of a market that existed back in the Maratha dynasty and was accessed by soldiers and other horseback riders still exist.
  • A towering statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is erected right in the middle of the market.
  • The market leads towards ‘Jagdishwar temple’, a popular place for praying which also has the mausoleum of Shivaji Maharaj’s loyal dog, ‘Waghya’.
  • There is an aerial tramway that reaches 400 meters high and 750 meters long, allowing visitors to reach the top of the fort in under 4 minutes.
  • Raigad Fort consists of several gateways, namely Mena Darwaja, Maha Darwaja, Chit Darwaja, Nagarkhana Darwaja and Palkhi Darwaja.
  • There is a private entrance for women which is Mena Darwaja.
  • Palkhi Darwaja was used by the king and his convoy back in the day.
  • There is an execution point from which prisoners used to be thrown off to meet their death. This point is called ‘Takmak Tok’ and is currently cordoned off by fencing so visitors cannot go there.
  • Nane darwaja, Hatti Talav and Khubladha Buruj are other attractions of the fort.

A place rich and plush with historic significance, the hill fort is an exhilarating sight for the eyes, especially for those interested in the ancient history of India. It attracts visitors of all ages and races and enthralls them with its enchanting structures that showcase the sheer bravery of the Maratha rulers. Visit Raigad Fort today to get an experience of a rich cultural heritage that was envisioned by the great Shivaji Maharaj.

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FAQs 

  1. Where is the Raigad Fort located? 

It is located in the Raigad district in Mahad in the state of Maharashtra in India.

  1. Who was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj? 

He was a great ruler and warrior of the Maratha Dynasty known to have won several battles and also to be overwhelmingly generous.

  1. What is the best time to visit Raigad Fort? 

The months of November to March are considered the best time to visit Raigad Fort. During these months, the weather in Maharashtra is cool and pleasant, allowing activities such as treks, rope-way, picnics, and much more.

  1. How can one reach Raigad Fort? 

It is fairly easy to get to and you can get there with the following options;

By Air – You can take a flight to Mumbai or Pune and then drive to Raigad fort. Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport serves the city of Mumbai while Pune International Airport serves the city of Pune.

By Rail – The closest train station to Raigad fort is Mangaon. Trains have good connections to and from prominent cities in India such as Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Mysore among others.

By Road – Pachad village is the closest to Raigad Fort. Once you reach Pachad, you can choose to trek up to the fort or take the aerial tramway via rope-way and directly get to the top within minutes.

  1. Are you allowed to take photographs at Raigad Fort? 

You are allowed to take mobile phones as well as cameras to the fort but you will have to pay a small fee at the entrance and get yourself a permit for the same. Violation of this can result in a larger fine.

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