Forts Of India

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. Janjira is one of the strongest marine forts of India (the word ‘Janjira’ is a corruption of the Arabic word Jazira for island).

Type : Jal Durga

Distance From : Approximatly 194 km from Pune, 60 km from Raigad, 150 km from Mumbai

District : Raigad

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Janjira Fort - Main Entrance

Ruins of Buildings

The small pond inside Janjira fort

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Sinhagad Fort

Sinhgad Fort is located around 30 km from Pune, India.

Earlier it was known by Kondhana. It is also strategically located at the centre of a string of other forts such as Rajgad, Purandar and Torna.

The fort had seen many important battles, most noticeable was the battle of Sinhagad in 1670 between Tanaji Malusare and Udaybhan Rathod.

This is in the range of Bhuleswar range of the Sahyadri Mountains, given natural protection by its very steep slopes, the walls and bastions were constructed at only key places; it has two gates – the Kalyan Darwaza in the south-east and the Pune (Main) Darwaza in the north-east.

The Kaundinyeshwar temple, the caves and the carvings indicate that this fort had probably been built two thousand years back. It was captured from the Koli tribal chieftain, Nag Naik, by Muhammad bin Tughlaq in 1328 AD.

Most famous battles for Sinhgad was fought between Tanaji Malusare(Maratha Sardar) and Udaybhan Rathod (Mughal Sardar) to recapture the fort by, in March 1670.
Tanaji lost his life, but his brother Suryaji took over and captured Kondana.
There is an anecdote that upon hearing of Tanaji's death, Shivaji expressed his remorse with the words: "Gad aala pan sinha gela" - "We gained the fort, but lost the lion"

Type : Giri Durga

Distance From : Approximatly 30 Km form Pune

District : Pune

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Kalyan Darwaja

Main Darwaja

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Purandhar Fort

Purandhar was in the reign of the first Bahmani king, Hasan Gangu. When he obtained possession of Maharashtra,he fortified Purandhar in 1350.

Sometime under the Bedar kings (1347 -1490) the fort was besieged several times.

The fort has two distinct levels.The lower part is called the machi. North of the machi is a flat area where the cantonment and hospital was housed....

There are many temples decicated to Purandeshwar(the fort's patron god, from which it also takes its name) and Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa here.

In 1646, a 19-year-old Shivaji in one of the first victories of his legendary career, established control in the fort. In 1665, it was besieged by the forces of Aurangzeb, under the command of Raja Jai Singh, a Rajput general, assisted by Diler Khan, an Afghan. The defense of Purandar by Murarbaji Deshpande of Mhar, the killedar (keeper of the fort) was obstinate and he lost his life in the struggle to retain the fort.

Shivaji daunted at the prospect of the fall of his grandfathers fort, signed a treaty (the first Treaty of Purandar) with Aurangzeb.

Type : Giri Durga
Distance From : Approximatly 47Km form Pune, 10Km from Saswad
District : Pune

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View of Vajragad Fort

MurarBaji Deshpande

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Malhargad Fort

Malhargad is around 35kms from Pune. It is also called as Sonori Fort due to the village Sonori situated at its base.

The fort has been named after the god Malhari

This is the last fort built by the Marathas, 1755 to 1760 AD.

The fort is believed to be built to keep watch on Dive ghat along the Pune-Saswad route.

The fort was built by Bhivrao Yashvant and Krishnaji Madhavrao Panse, a Peshwa Sardar, who was the chief in charge of “Tofkhana” of the Peshwas.

Type : Giri Durg
Distance From : Approximatly 35Km form Pune
District : Pune

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Khandoba & Mahadev Temple

Water Tank

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Chakan Fort

The Chakan for is quite old and was occupied by several powers. First fortification was in 1295 AD. After the Yadavas (1271AD) it was occupied by the Nizamshahi sultans, the Mughals and then Marathas.
In 1595AD,it was given as jahagir to Shivaji’s grandfather, Maloji Raje Bhosale.
Being on the shortest route from Ahmadnagar to Konkan, Chakan was a place of great strategic importance.
An important battel was fought between the Maratha Empire and the Mughal Empire in the year 1660. Shaista Khan was ordered by Aurangzeb to attack Shivajiwith his better equipped and provisioned army of 150,000 seized Pune and the nearby fort of Chakan. At the time, Firangoji Narsala was the killedar ( chief ) of Chakan fort, which was defended by approximatly 300–350 Maratha soldiers. Almost 2 months Firangoji with his soldiers defened the fort.
Eventually, the fort was lost with the capture of Firangoji in 1660 AD. Shaista Khan appriciate his bravery, offered him a Jahagir on the condition that he should join the Mughal forces, which Firangoji declined. Admiring his loyalty, Shaista Khan release Firangoji. Firangoji returned home and Shivaji awarded him a fort named Bhupalgad.
The fort was captured from the Marathas by the British in 1818 AD.

Todays condition of fort is very bad.. It is completely ruins..

Type :
Distance From : 32Km form Pune
District : Pune

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Galna Fort

Galna Fort :-

Galna is a twin fort that is around 23 km from Malegaon, in Nasik District. The fort was a prominent place during the end of the 15th century. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb captured it in 1704, and in 1818, it was occupied a company of native infantry. Further, it is believed to have been once used as a sanatorium for Dhulia.
A broad flight of steps lead to the fort.

Type : Giri Durga
Distance From : 23 Km form Malegaon
District : Nasik

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