Are you a resident of Mumbai or Pune and a lover of history? We got you covered! The state of Maharashtra is home to many marvelous historical sites that reflect the glorious reign of the Maratha Empire in the 17th century, lead by warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji. What makes these forts charming even today is not just their grandeur but the stunning locations amidst pristine nature. Since the state is blessed with abundance of nature, visiting these tourist attractions are your perfect excuse for weekend getaways. We have brought together a list of beautiful forts around Maharashtra that should be visited by every history enthusiast.
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5 Forts To Visit In Maharashtra
1. Raigad
This fort is known as 'The Gibraltar of the East', especially by the Europeans. It is located on the Sahyadri Ranges and is placed around 800 meters above sea level. Owing to its astute placement, this fort was the capital of the Maratha Empire. This fort was only accessible after a tricky climb of three hours. However, today there is a ropeway provided to boost tourism here.
2. Sinhagadh
Also known as the fort of Kondana, this place played a key role in the Maratha Mughal battle of 1671. The battle of Sinhagadh cost the Marathas the life of their brave soldier Tanhaji Malusare who was known as the 'Lion' thus bringing about the name change from Kondana to Sinhagadh (The fort of the lion). Located in Pune, this fort is only a few hours' drive away from Mumbai.
3. Shivneri
This fort is located near Junnar in the district of Pune located around 95 km from the main city. It is the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This fort was built by Shahaji Maharaj, the father of Shivaji Maharaj. It was built to keep his pregnant wife (Jijamata) and unborn son (Shivaji Maharaj) safe from the calamities around. It is built in a triangular shape and is not as sturdy or massive as the other forts on the list.
4. Pratapgadh
It is located in the Satara district of Maharashtra, in Mahabaleshwar. It is renowned for the incident that took place between Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan that led to the Maratha victory over the Bijapur Army. This is a grand, massive fort with great historical significance. Built by Shivaji Maharaj, this fort also gives its visitors a scenic view of the Konkan Coast. As this place is close to Mahabaleshwar, make sure you visit the hill station as well. Make a weekend getaway or a trip out of the visit and get a historical, luxury tour!
5. Daulatabad
This one is different from the rest as it has no connections with the Maratha Empire. Located near the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, this historical citadel was the capital of the Delhi Sultanate for a brief period. It is a fort built by the Yadava Dynasty in 1187 and Muhammed Tughlaq accessed it for the Delhi throne. The fort is around 200 metres above sea level and it is known for its beautiful architecture, three layered defense system and strategic location from earlier times.
Which one of the forts are you heading to next?
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