Purandar fort

The mountain on which the fort is constructed was known as the Indraneel Parvat. As per Hindu mythology, this mountain was created when Lord Hanuman was carrying the Dronagiri mountain range, a portion of land slipped from the hands of him. Purandhar Fort situated 1.5 km west of Sasvad or about 40 km south of Pune via National Highway 04, is a hill fort known for its distinctive location. It occupies one of the highest points in the Sahyadris,

The fort then fell into the hands of the Nizamshahi rulers in1484 AD who controlled the fort for a long spell of over hundred years. The fort was then passed on to Maloji Bhosale, grandfather of Shivaji, in the year 1596. Shivaji Maharaj took over the fort in 1646 after a long struggle with the Mughal Empire. The Mughals, however, won it back from Shivaji in 1665 under the leadership of Jai Singh and Dilir Khan after an intense battle with Murar Baji Prabhu, the brave commander of the fort, who lost his life while protecting it.  The treaty of Purandar was signed after this epic battle in which Shivaji agreed to surrender 23 of his forts to the powerful Mughal Empire.  He, however, recaptured the fort of Purandar from the Mughals in the year 1670 AD.

One of the highest forts in Maharashtra, it has two levels: the upper or Ballekilla with precipitous side all around and the lower part or Machi about 300 meters is relatively plain. The northern end of the machi houses a number of new and old monuments which includes the 'Dilli Darwaza' at the eastern extremity of the fort. Machi also compressing the cantonment area of the fortification. The north facing darwaza is flanked by two lions on either side. A narrow path from here will lead to Kandakada, which boasts a huge rock located in the east. From here there are fine views of Vajragad, the fortified lower hill immediately to the east and the Bhima valley below.

A set of stairs that start from this point lead you directly to the upper level of the fort via Ganesh Darwaza. This winding path takes you to the highest part of the fort which is home to the Mahadev temple which is also known as the Kedareshwar temple.  The Rameshwar temple, Purandar machi, Bhairav Khind and Padmavati Lake are some other attractions worth exploring.

This fort provides plenty of opportunity for rock climbing. Trekking up Purandar is not very difficult because the climb is not very steep. Once on the top the place provides a panoramic view of the surrounding areas. It takes about three and a half hours to get to the fort from the base village which is Narayanpur and about 45 minutes from Purandeshwar mandir.

 Picture Courtesy: Chetan Godbole

murud-janjira fort

Originally the fort was small wooden structure built by a Koli chief in the late 15th century. It was captured by Pir Khan, a general of Nizamshah of Ahmednagar.  Later the fort was strengthened by Malik Ambar, the Abyssinian Siddi regent of Ahmednagar kings.  From then onward Siddis became independent, owing allegiance to Adilshah and the Mughals as dictated by the times.  Despite their repeated attempts, the Portuguese, the British and the Marathas failed to subdue the Siddi power.  Shivaji’s all attempts to capture Janjira fort failed due to one reason or the other.  When Sambhaji also failed, he built another island fort, known as Kansa or Padmadurg, just 9kms north of Janjira.  The Janjira state came to an end after 1947.  The palace of the Nawabs of Janjira at Murud is still in good shape.

Situated on a rock of oval shape near the port town of Murud, 165kms south of Mumbai, Janjira is one of the strongest marine forts of India (the word ‘Janjira’ is a corruption of the Arabic word Jazira for island).  The forts is approached by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty.  The main gate of the fort faces Rajapuri on the shore and can be seen only when one is quite close to it.  It has a small postern gate towards the open sea for escape. 

The fort has 19 rounded bastions, still intact. There are many canons of native and European make rusting on the bastions.  Now in ruins, the fort in its heyday had all necessary facilities, e.g., palaces, quarters for officers, mosque, a big fresh water tank, etc.  On the outer wall flanking the main gate, there is a sculpture depicting a tiger-like beast clasping elephants in its claws.  This sculpture, its meaning difficult to interpret, appears on many fort-gates of Maharashtra.

Named one of the main ancient monuments within Indian, it really is visited through a large number of tourists through from coast to coast. It is simple to reach the actual Janjira Fortification as possible utilized through almost all types of transportation. The closest airport terminal reaches Mumbai, whilst Roha within the Konkan train within the closest train train station. Through street, it requires just 5 hrs to achieve Murud. Only at that city you’ll personal seaside hotels with regard to lodging.

Time reaching: Mumbai to Murud Janjira (165km)

naldurg

The inside portion is covered with insolvent walls and a wide road running up to the centre. The fort has many bastions amongst which are upli Buruj, which is the height point in the Fort Paranda Buruj , Sangram Buruj, Bands Buruj, poone Buruj, etc. Inside the fort there are remains of the walls and some of the building such as Barood kotha, Baradari, Ambarkhana, and Rangaan mahal, Jali. Though the buildings are in ruins the remains give the impression that there might have been at one time other buildings. There are two tanks in the fort known as machali guns amongst which the most important are the “hathi toph-हत्ती तोफ” and magar Toph- मगर तोफ”, The hathi Darwaza. The hurmukh and the hurmukh darwaza are the main gates of the fort.An interesting building which connects the fort and the Ranmandala is the dam constructed across the Bori River. The dam and the ”pani mahal" built underneath and in the middle of the dam were built during the reign of Ibrahim Adil shah II In 1613.

These cannons have figures of elephants and crocodiles and are therefore called Hathi Toph (मराठी: हत्ती तोफ) and Magar Toph (मराठी: मगर तोफ). There are some old buildings still standing in good condition.Naldurg which was formerly a district headquarter is situated about 50 Kms. south-east of Osmanabad. The fort which is an interesting place has enclosed a surface of a knoll or plantain of basalt rock which is jutted out into the valley or raving of the small river Bori. Along the rest of the cliff on three sides ran fortifications. bastions firmly built out have deseed basalt and are large enough to carry heavy guns. The entire circumference is about a mile and a half.

It is believed that the fort was built by Nalaraja (The King Nala). The fort and the city is named after him. The fort was built in the period of the Chalukya kings of Kalyani. Later, from 1351 to 1480, in the period of the [Bahamani] kings. In 1558, the Adil Shahi rulers, after the downfall of Adil Shahi Kingdom, Naldurg passed into the hands of Moghalain the year 1686. A.D. Nizamul Mulk Asif Jah was appointed as Governor of the entire Deccan from Central India and Gujrat up to Kanya Kumari. After the death of Aurangzeb Nawab Nizamul Mulk Asif Jah Bahadur founded the Nizam Domanion. During the time of II Nizam The Governor (Subedar) became a rebel and Causing Havoc to the Subject Then the Asif Jah II, Nawab Nizam Ali khan send his Afghan General Mohammed Dulah Khan. General Mohammed Dulah Khan conquered the province crushed the mutiny and took the traitor into his custody. He ruled very successfully.

santoshgad

The north-west corner of the Phaltan taluka, about 12 miles south-west of Phaltan, the taluka headquarters! The fort is now easily approachable throughout the year as the Public Works Department has recently constructed a pucca road from village Tathavade lying at the foot of the hill. The fort is roughly triangular in shape. The hill on which it stands is a little lower than the main range. The apices of the triangle are north-west and south-east making it nearly equilateral. At the foot on the northern side lays the village of tathavade with people nearly all cultivators mostly Ramoshis and Marathas.

The defences consist of three walls, the top wall going all round the hill and forming what may be called the citadel. It surmounts a perpendicular scarp of black rock about thirty feet high, and is itself about fifteen feet higher. In thickness it is twenty feet and had originally a parapet about six feet high and three feet thick, all of which has broken down.

The sides of the south-west out-work are not more than thirty yards long but it is perhaps the most solid of the three; the sides of the north-east outwork are about fifty yards, and those of the north-west out-work about seventy yards long. The first two out-works communicated with the citadel by a small door not more than two feet wide built through the walls, which led on to the steps cut in the scarp. The citadel wall has a gap at the north-west angle which formed the communication with the north-west out-work.

The fort remained in the hands of the Marathas till 1818 when it was shelled by a detachment of General Pritzler’s army from the plateau and a spur pointed out about half a mile to the west. A good many of the buildings and part of the walls are said to have been injured by the shelling. The commandant fled at the first few shots, the garrison followed, and the fort was taken. Its elaborate design and considerable strength for the times in which it was built may be explained by the fact that it was close to the Nizam Shahi frontier and of some importance therefore to the Bijapur government, while the constant disturbances in the neighbourhood in Chhatrapati Shivajis time would amply account for any additions he made to it.

Tung Fort

Tung Fort of a hill overlooking the Maval area in Maharashtra, India. It was built by the Adil Shahi dynasty in around 1600, and then captured by the Shivaji. The fort is quite small and only capable of holding around 200 soldiers, but is very not easy to come near. It has a narrowed peak and is clearly visible from the adjoining area. “The Original name is 'Kathingad'”

Today, due to the construction of the Phagne Dam on the Pawna River, Tung Fort is surrounded on three sides by water. It is a popular hill-walking destination and ferryboat takes visitors from the Phange Dam to Tungi village at the base of the fort. A vertical walk takes you to the thick walls and ruined bastions of the fort. In the middle is a temple and water reservoir. Walkers are rewarded with stunning views. A small but enriched with nature, especially in monsoon. It is a stiff. It is covered from 3 sides by Belag kada. A small temple of Bhairavnaath in the starting of the fort. The temple is very good and you can stay here. If you see from Pawanaa dam you can see one big rock which is nothing but TUNG. if you see it from the base you will find it very difficult and you will say it is hardly impossible to climb on this rock. You cannot see the road to go on the top but once you start  is very easy and you can easily climb this fort. The fort is covered by water from 3 sides and you can think that we are on sea fort. On the top you can see a Nirmal Taki which is carved in 10 * 5 mtrand it provides the water for the whole year.

Tung Fort acted as a watchtower and small target delaying invading forces, giving the major forts at Visapur and Lohagad more time to prepare defences. These tow hill forts, along with Tikona and Korigad, are clearly visible from the top of Tung. Thus looking at the number it may come to our mind that the fort cannot be defended for a long time. However, the Mughal sardar Shaistekhan was not able to capture the fort in spite of a huge army.

The fort mainly served as a watch tower (तेहालंनी दुर्ग) and was used to distract the invaders till the main forts of Visapur and Lohgad could ready them for the battle. The fort was under the control of the then Senapati Netaji Palker after the loot of Surat by the Maratha forces. In the later period Chhatrapati Rajaram transferred the fort under the leadership of     Sarkhel Kanoji Angre who was the Maratha naval chief at that time.

Where it is: Near Pavana Dam

Dist: Pune

Base village: Tungwadi

Time to reach: 45 minute
IMAGE COURTESY: PRATIK BODAS