Rajgad
Rajgad, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, is a fortress in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Rajgad fort was the primary capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Marathi country . forty eight km southwest of Pune town . Within the distance, the hill of Murumbadeva stands in the middle of the valleys of Nira-Velvandi-Kanandi and Gunjavani rivers. each Rajgad and Torna forts had been strategically positioned for the expansion of the kingdom inside the Maval region .
The citadel became now not convenient as a political middle due to its small length . Rajgad is far flung and its citadel is very large . moreover , to reach Rajgad from any course , one has to cross a hill or a river. there was a lot protection , so Shivaji Maharaj selected Rajgad as his political middle . Rajgad has three machas and a balekilla. Balekilla of Rajgad may be very excessive and its height from sea stage is 1394 meters. Durgaraj Rajgad shows the peak of his ambition, whilst citadel Raigad shows the volume of Shivaji Maharaj's accomplishments. Balekilla, constructed on a high hill in the middle of Rajgad, is a secular invasion of heaven.
Rajgad citadel dates lower back to the first century advert . The hill turned into given the arrival of a citadel by way of Gautamiputra Satkarni. probable within the 12 months 1645, Shivaji Maharaj took possession of this castle and built on it and named it Rajgad. aside from the 25-year capital of the Maratha Empire, vital events just like the beginning of Chiranjeev Rajarama, the youngest son of Shivaji Maharaj, and the death of Saibai have taken region in this fortress . Rajgad is the primary fundamental political middle of Shivaji Maharaj and this lofty, superb and sturdy Rajgad still stands nowadays as a witness to Hindavi Swarajya. Later, as there was not enough space on the fortress for governance, the kings moved the capital to Raigad, which turned into aisle and far off .
Saki Mustaidkhan says in his ebook Masire Alimgire- 'Rajgad may be very high . Judging with the aid of its peak , it could be stated that it's miles superior to all forts. It has a circumference of 12 cubits. I had no idea of his energy . nothing can pass through the valleys of the mountains and the dense jungle except the wind. The rain right here can only be waited for. no person else can get via it. '
Mohammad Hashim Khalikhan says in his book 'Muntakhbululubab-e-Mahemdoshahi', 'How can i describe Rajgad citadel ? What a peak of the citadel , what an extension of it! It turned into as if the sky had been spreading. Seeing his penis, he pressed his chest. The bull inside the abyss, which holds the earth with its weight, ought to be shouting. The area turned into infested with snakes. Rajgad citadel is a mountain variety with a circumference of twelve kos and it changed into hard to surround it from all sides .
Pre-Satavahana pre-dates this mountain from about 2000 years ago , it appears from the obscure references in history . The hill ought to have been recognized due to the fact that ancient times due to the house of a Brahmarshi sage right here and the Shri Brahmarshi Devasthan installed here inside the name of the same Brahmarshi sage. the previous call of Rajgad turned into Murambadev. This fortress become known through this name in the Bahamani dynasty. Of path , the appearance of the fortress at that point was not very grand.
So on. C. around 1490, Ahmed Bahiri, the founding father of the Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar, won have an effect on in western Maharashtra by means of conquering numerous forts at Waleghat and Talakkonam and on the same time captured Murumbadev citadel . Ahmed Bahiri did now not must make a special effort to conquer the fort as Murumbadeva's Gadkari surrendered unconditionally. Later, while Nizamshahi rule was hooked up at the citadel , nobody attacked the castle for a hundred twenty five years. and so on . C. round 1625, Murumbadev citadel came from Nizamshahi to Adilshahi. Baji Haibtrao Shilimkar and his father Rudraji Naik have been managing the fortress on behalf of the Nizam Shah. at the orders of Malik Amber, Baji Haibatrao exceeded over control of Murumbadeva to Adilshahi Sardar Haibatkhana.
Written proof of when Shivaji Maharaj took the castle of Murumbadeva isn't available today . it's far unknown presently what he'll do after leaving the submit . consistent with a file published within the tenth volume of Shivacharitra Sahitya Khand, 'Shivaji took possession of a mountain known as Ostrich and built a building on it.' Member Bakhar says, 'We built a mountain referred to as Murabad. Named as Rajgad. They built 4 forts of the castle . Bakhkar member has additionally taken into consideration Balekilla as a machi. ' however Shivaji conquered this mountain after the pylon, it's for certain . The Maharaja hastened to build a fort on the hill. The mountain turned into fortified with three trunks. He built a building named Rajgad after the main fort . The three were named Suvela, Sanjeevani and Padmavati.
There was a village called Khedbare close to Shirwal, in which there was a variety of woodland , he planted mango trees with a farm and named it Shivapur. inside the year 1660 advert , on the orders of Aurangzeb, Shahistekhan invaded the territory of Shivaji Maharaj. it's miles acknowledged from Persian resources that Shahistekhan had sent troops to Rajgad. This army burnt down a few villages close to Rajgad but did now not try and seize the actual Rajgad fort . inside the 12 months 1665, Mirza Raje Jaisingh invaded the territory of Shivaji Maharaj. He despatched raising , to conquer the forts inside the region . On April 30, 1665, the Mughal military marched on Rajgad. but the Mughals had to retreat because of the excellent blows inflicted on the fortress by means of the Marathas.
Shivaji Maharaj agreed to present 23 forts in his treaty with Jayasinghe and stored 12 forts with him. those 12 forts encompass Rajgad, Torna, Lingana, Raigad. The mention in Sabhasad Bakhari is as follows: Aiming. Varkad Rajgad and Kot Moropant Peshwa, Nilopant Mujumdar and Netaji Palkar Sarnobat had been exceeded over to Matushree and we additionally agreed to go to Delhi and meet the emperor.
Shivaji Maharaj escaped from Agra and reached Rajgad correctly on 12 September 1666 with a choose group of humans . Rajarama was born on twenty fourth February 1670 at Rajgad. Shivaji Maharaj despatched Tanaji Malusure from Rajgad in 1670 to seize Sinhagad fort . inside the yr 1671-1672, Shivaji Maharaj fixed Raigad as the capital and moved the capital from Rajgad to Raigad.
After the demise of Shivaji Maharaj on April 3 , 1680, the crisis of Aurangzeb's invasion of the Marathi nation fell. After Aurangzeb killed Sambhaji Maharaj on eleven March 1689, the Mughals tried to conquer many forts of the Marathas. Kishore Singh Hada, a Mughal leader , conquered Rajgad in June 1689. Aurangzeb appointed Abul Khair Khan because the legitimate of Rajgad. however , the information of AAP's seize of Sambhaji Maharaj did no longer unfold , so the Maratha army gathered round Rajgad and recaptured Rajgad on their personal strength . In a letter dated January 1694, Secretary Shankaraji Narayan had ordered that "the Deshmukhs of the Kanad Valley need to be rewarded for shielding the region around the Rajgad from Mughal invasion." Later, on Martinmas 1703, Aurangzeb himself left Pune to conquer the citadel .
Aurangzeb's adventure , but , became now not fine . there's a road in Char Kos Ghat near Rajgad. the road changed into most effective inaccessible. A month ago , Aurangzeb despatched a few thousand bricklayers, porters and laborers to repair the street . but the road was now not paved, a lot of the baggage had to be dumped. On December 2, 1703, Aurangzeb reached near Rajgad. Marched to the citadel . The bastion of the fort is thirty yards high ; They made cannons of the identical height and hooked up cannons on it and started firing cannons at the bastion. Tarbiat Khan and Hamibuddin Khan marched at the aspect of Padmavati. two months later, however , the citadel became nevertheless in some fingers . eventually , on February four , 1703, Rajgad fell to Aurangzeb. Iradatkhan changed into appointed fortress keeper by way of Aurangzeb and the castle became renamed as 'Nabishahagad'.
On twenty ninth may also 1707, Gunaji Sawant together with Pantaji Shivdev invaded Rajgad and conquered the fortress and once more the fortress came under the control of Marathas.
Later, while the castle got here under the control of Shahu, in 1709, Shahu arranged for Rs. three hundred for Suvela Machi and Rs. a hundred for Sanjeevani Machi. for the duration of the Peshwa period , Rajgad turned into beneath the manipulate of the Secretary.
As the financial situation in the Peshwa became deteriorating, the salaries of the Shibandis at the citadel were now not paid on time. In any such state of affairs , the salaries of the servants at Rajgad have been exhausted for a 12 months - Rajwade quantity 12. After this Rajgad got here below the manipulate of Bhor Sansthan. Appointed six officials to supervise its arrangements . Sarnobat Shilimkar for Suvela Machi, Sarnobat-Pawar own family for Padmavati Machi, Sarnobat-Khopade circle of relatives for Sanjeevani Machi. other than this, Naik and Sarnaik had been additionally officers .
Velwand, Male, Bhutunde, friend Khurd, Wajeghar, Gunjavane, Phanasi are a number of the ways to attain the fort . pal Darwaja Marg, a Shiva-era highway , is a superb way to attain the fortress thru Sakhar-Wajeghar, Palkhurd Bhoslewadi. the street passing via Margasani-Gunjavane village on Pune Velhe street involves Padyavati Machi from Chordindi. the street from Bhutande village in Velvand valley can be reached through Alu Darwaza.
Going up the side of Padmavati lake there is Rameshwar temple and Padmavati temple. there is a chunk that got here up a bit from right here . one of the roads leads straight to Balekilla, one from left to Suvela Machi and the third to Sanjeevani Machi on the right . Armored bastions as well as armored ramparts are the features of both the forts of the fort . barely to the proper is the Pali door. it's miles a incredibly clean way to attain the citadel . To attain Balekilla, you need to take a detour to Balekilla and climb a steep and steep area . the main gate of the castle remains strong . Above is the crescent; there's a Brahmarshi temple. watching the sunrise from Suvela Machi is a blessing for the castle wanderers. that is beneficial for wandering around the fortress .
Padmavati Lake :
Palace :
Going up the steps from Rameshwar temple, you may see some ruins of the palace at the proper . there is a lake in this palace. A short distance from the palace is the barn. it is a little in addition on. there's a doorway in the front of the chair. that is the maximum critical shape at the citadel . Maharaj additionally built a garden on 25 acres round this fort , calling it 'Shivbagh'. within the past , there has been an antique rug and a load within the middle of the OT. Many historians are of the opinion that this is not Sadar however the residence of Tatsarnaubata.
The Pali Darwaza path comes from Pali village. The course could be very huge and steps have been dug to climb it. the first entrance of Pali Darwaza could be very excessive and extensive , thru which even an elephant can input with Ambari. 2 hundred m across this entrance . Going similarly , there's some other entrance of Bharbakkam building . the doorway is blanketed through good towers. The feature of this door is that the fort is constructed on top of the door and at the bastion. these parakeets are observed to have spherical shaped vents. Such windows are called 'Falika'. those panels had been used to stain weapons . Upon coming into thru the door, there are shield gates on both sides . After reaching the castle via this door, we attain Padmavati Machi.
Buzz door :
The Gunjavan Darwaza is a series of 3 entrances one in the back of the other . the primary door is of very simple construction . however there are massive towers on each facets of the door. the second entrance of the Gunjavane Darwaza has a distinct arch. it's far speculated that Shri or Gajshilpa may also were created from this present sculpture. From all this it's far inferred that this entrance should had been constructed before Shivaji Maharaj. Upon entering through this entrance , Padmavati Machi starts offevolved on each facets .
Rajgad has a total of 3 machas. The most sizeable of these is the Padmavati Machi. Padmavati Machi was now not only a military base but additionally a place of residence . Many remains of creation are determined on Machi. Temple of Goddess Padmavati, Samadhi of Saibai, Havaldar's mansion, Ratnashala, Sadar, Padmavati Lake, Gupta Darwaza, Pali Darwaza, Gunjavane Darwaza, ammunition depots are nevertheless standing .
Padmavati Temple :
The temple became renovated in 2002. it is stated that once the citadel of Shivaji Maharaj become named as Rajgad of Murumbadeva, a temple of Goddess Padmavati become constructed on the web site . At gift we see 3 idols inside the temple. The idol of the primary puja has been erected by means of the Pant Secretary of Bhor. To its proper is a small idol erected by means of Shivaji Maharaj. between those human beings at present . there may be a water tank next to the temple. The water in it's miles suitable for drinking . Saibai's Samadhi is in front of the temple.
Sanjeevani Machi :
After the development of Suvela Machi, Shivaji Maharaj began the development of this Machi. the whole duration of Machi is 2 .five km. Is. This Machi is also constructed in three ranges . stays of homes on Sanjeevani Machi still exist today . There are armored towers at every level of the Machi. After descending the primary stage , flip north and stroll a little again along the financial institution , then there are 3 triple towers. these three bastions ought to have had large cannons all through the reign of Shivaji Maharaj. There are several water tanks in this machi. It has a total of 19 towers. Machi has an underground citadel . Dindas are arranged to attain the outer ramparts from this basement. Sanjeevani Machi can also be reached via Aloo Darwaza. From the Aloo Darwaza, the armored ramparts, which characteristic the Rajgad, run on each sides . the gap among the two banks is 1/2 a pound and the depth is set 6 to 7 meters. on this region there are steps to descend into the armor of the bastions. There are also stone steps to return up thru the drain. within the fortifications on Machi, there are a few places of opposition . on the end of the double ramparts is an impressive tower that changed into used for long distance viewing. the space from Torna to Rajgad is close .
Potato Door :
This door was used to reach Sanjeevani Machi. The simplest way to attain Rajgad from Toranya changed into thru this gate. Aloo Darwaza is in a dilapidated condition at present . within the sculpture on this door. The tiger has been proven to have dropped a sambar.
Suwela Machi :
After the capture of Murumbadeva citadel , Shivaji Maharaj constructed a robust rampart at the jap ridge of the citadel , and named Machi Suvela Machi. This machi became named Suvela as it's far within the east. Suvela Machi isn't always as long as Sanjeevani, however this Machi additionally has 3 stages . To the east, it's miles turning into Machi Chincholi. there may be a hill-like element at the beginning of Machi called Duba. Shibandi nests may be visible on the left facet of the subway via the woodland . there is a south going through Veer Maruti at the left hand aspect and a water tank near it. The Chauthare here belonged to Yesaji Kek, Tanaji Malsure and Shilimbakar. The straight path from here results in the second one degree of Suvela Machi, whilst the path to the left results in the place of Kaleshwari Buruja.
Kaleshwari Buruj and Premises :
Turning to the proper of the street main to the second stage of Suvela Machi, you see some water tanks. next are some remnants of Rameshwar temple. on this Rameshwar temple, sculptures like Shivling, Bhagra Nandi, a Yaksha idol are determined . on the top side of this Rameshwar temple, there are sculptures like Ganesha photograph , Parvati, Shivling. a little further from right here is the Kaleshwari Buruj. there may be additionally a mystery door at the financial institution .
Balekilla:
It takes approximately 2 days to peer the whole Rajgad citadel. Torna, Pratapgad, Raigad, Liganna, Sinhagad, Purandar, Vajragad, Malhargad, Rohida, Raireshwar and Lohgad, Visapur forts may be visible from the fortress.
get right of entry to to the citadel:
Maharashtra country delivery Board buses, private vehicles, trains passing thru Karjat, Pali, Pune, Gunjavane bus stands. there are many approaches to get to the fort.
1. Rajgad via secret door: Pune - Rajgad ST, you may get right down to the village of Wajeghar. There are railings an hour's drive from Babuda Zhapa. With their assist, Rajgad may be reached in a completely brief time. It takes 3 hours to reach the fort with the aid of this direction.
2. Rajgad thru Pali Darwaza: Pune-Velhe ST ought to attain Khariv village through Velhe, cross Kanand river and reach Pali Darwaza. This route is a step and is the perfect. It takes 3 hours to attain the fortress through this route
three. Gunjavane Darwaza Rajgad: you could attain this village by way of taking the Pune-Velhe motorway and from there you could attain Gunjavane through sugar. This direction is difficult. It takes and a half hours to reach the fort from this path. This direction need to not be used without statistics.
four. Rajgad via Alu Darwaza: Rajgad may be reached via Alu Darwaza via Bhutonde. Rajgad can be reached via Alu Darwaza thru Shivthar Ghali.
five. Suvelamachi through Gupta Darwaza: One way from Gunjavane village thru woodland to Suvelamachi via Gupta Darwaza.
Lodging:
1. The Padmavati temple on the fort can accommodate 20 to twenty-five humans.
2. There are vacationer lodging rooms to stay at Padmavati Machi.
Meals: You ought to do it your self.
Water supply: there is a perennial drinking water tank in front of Padmavati temple.
Travel time: 3 hours
Images of Rajgad :
