Sinhagad Fort

Fort Name : Sinhagad
Range : Bhuleswar range in the Sahyadri Mountains
Hight above Sea Level : 4321 ft.

forts near by located :
The fort is surrounded by several other forts and was known as the control centre of the Maratha Empire. In clear weather, Rajgad, Purandar and Torna forts can be seen from the Sinhagad killa.

Sinhagad is an ancient hill fortress located around 49 km southwest of the city of Pune, India. It was originally known as Kondana Fort and was captured by various rulers over time, including the Marathas, Mughals, and the British.

It is located in the Pune district in Maharashtra. The fort is also on the famous fort in Maharashtra which has a great history of Tanaji Malusare. This fort was strategically built to provide natural protection from enemies due to its very steep slopes. The walls of the forts and bastions were constructed only at key places. There are two gates to enter the fort named Kalyan Darwaja and Pune Darwaza. The Kalyan Darwaja is towards the southeast while the Pune Darwaza is towards the northeast. The fort is surrounded by several other forts and was known as the control centre of the Maratha Empire.

History

As per the carvings on the Kaundinyeshwar Temple, Sinhagad Fort is believed to be a 2000-year-old fort. Also, there is a Gondwana state symbol on the main gate of the fort. It has the sign of lion and elephant as well as fish. It is also known as Kondhana Killa as sage Kaundinya lived here and meditated.
The Raj Gondian according to the Deccan sultanates era Muslim historian Ferishta, Sinhagad fort was captured from Koli chieftain Nag Nayak in 1340 by the sultan of Delhi, Muhammad bin Tughluq. This fort became part of the Bahmani sultanate and then the Nizam Shahi of Ahmadnagar in 1485. After the fall of Nizam Shahi it came under the control of the Adilshahi in early late 1500s.
Later, the region was handed over to Shahaji, a Maratha commander for Ibrahim Adil Shah I, managed the fort. In 1647, Shahaji’s son Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj convinced Siddi Amber (Adil Shah’s Sardar) that he would manage the fort. chatrapati Shivaji maharaj, took over the fort. Adil Shah then imprisoned Siddi Amber and Shahaji. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had to return the hold of the fort for his father’s release. But he captured Sinhagad Fort again in 1656.
Then the Mughals attacked the fort around 1662. In 1665, the fort was handed over to Jai Singh. But Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj conquered it again and managed to rule over it till 1689. This Sinhagad Fort battle, in 1670, was led by his commander, Tanaji Malusare.
Several more battles were fought between the Marathas and the Mughals until the fort was taken over by the British in 1818.

Battles for control in 17th century

Shahaji Bhosale, as the commander of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, was entrusted with the control of the Pune region. His son Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, refused to accept the Adilshahi and initiated the task of setting up Swarajya. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gained control of Kondana in 1647 by convincing Siddi Amber, the Adilshahi Sardar who controlled the fort, that he, the son of Shahaji Bhosale, could manage the fort’s defences optimally. Adil Shah jailed Siddi Amber for this treasonous act and schemed to get it back. He imprisoned Shahaji Bhosale for a concocted crime and informed Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In 1649, Adil Shah traded the fort for Shahaji’s release. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj recaptured it in 1656 again with the help of Bapuji Mudgal Deshpande who convinced the Fort commander by giving land in the newly created Khed Shivapur village and peacefully gained control of the fort. This fort saw attacks by the Mughals in 1662, 1663, and 1665. In 1664, Shaista Khan, a Mughal general, tried to bribe the people of the fort to hand it over to him but was unsuccessful. According to the Treaty of Purandar signed between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Mughal General Mirzaraja Jai Singh in 1665, the fort came under the Mughals.

battle of sinhagad

In 1670, Singad fort was under the control of Mughal general Udayabhan Rathod. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Jijausaheb were fighting a lot for the fort to come back to Swaraj. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj himself decided to go on a campaign to capture this fort. As soon as Subedar Tanaji Malusare heard this news, he left his own son’s marriage and left the page for this campaign. At that time, Tanaji Malusare used to exclaim “First of Lagin Kondhana and then of my Raiba”.

Thereafter, A fierce battle ensued between Tanaji and his men versus the Mughal army headed by Udaybhan Singh Rathod, a Rajput Sardar who had control of the fort. Tanaji Malusare lost his life, but his brother Suryaji and Shelar Mama took over and captured the Kondana fort, now known as Sinhagad. hearing of Tanaji’s death, chatrapati Shivaji maharaj expressed his remorse with the words, “Gad ala, pan Sinha (lion) gela”“गड आला पण माझा सिंह गेला” – “The Fort is conquered, but the Lion was lost”.

After the death of Sambhaji, the Mughals regained control of the fort. The Marathas headed by “Sardar Balkawade”, recaptured it in 1693. Rajaram I took asylum in this fort during a Mogul raid on Satara. He died at the Fort on 3 March 1700 A.D. In 1703, Aurangzeb conquered the fort. In 1706, it once again went into the hands of the Maratha’s. Panaji Shivdev of Sangola, Visaji Chafer, and Shankar Narayan,the Pant Sachiv played a key role in this battle.

Peshwa era

The fort remained under Maratha’s rule till the year 1817. The more than one century of the Peshwa rule saw the fort serving as a refuge from hostile forces attacking Pune, or as a place of confinement for rebels. In 1817 the East India Company, general Pritzler laid siege to the fort on the orders of Mountstuart Elphinstone, the company resident in Pune at the end of Third Anglo-Maratha War and it passed into the British hands.ch

Sinhagad Fort Trekking Details

• Fort trek time: 4-5 hours and distance – 16 km

• Fort trek difficulty level: Beginner to intermediate

The trekking route starts from old Katraj’s Tunnel Top. And the route has got plenty of eye-pleasing sights of hills, forests and mountain ranges.
Many tourists also opt to go to Sinhagad Fort base village, Donje, by car. And then start their trek to the top of the fort. This trek is only about 2 km long but on slippery and rocky terrain. And it usually takes around an hour to reach the pune darwaja.

How to climb Sinhagad Fort?

Sinhagad Fort has two gates: Pune Darwaza and Kalyan Darwaza. Stone stairways lead you to the top of the fort. And whichever route you take, it should take you 1-2 hours to climb the fort.
There, you can spend 2-3 hours exploring the fort complex and enjoying the panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys.

Things to see at Sinhagad Fort

Tanaji Kada – Tanaji Kada is the place from which Tanaji Malusare climbed the fort at night.
Grand entrance gate – sinhagad fort pune has two entrance gates. the one, with a road coming from pune, is called pune darwaza; the other opening towards kalyan, is called kalyan darwaza.
Khandkada Machi – From here, you can view the entire eastern region around the fort. Khandkada Machi was used to keep an eye over the Purandar Fort, and the rivers Mula and Mutha.
Kalavanteen Buruj – Kalavanteen Buruj is one of the turrets in Sinhagad Fort which is still intact, and in good condition.
Zunjar Buruj – It is a tall turret on the southwestern tip of the fort. Photographers and rock climbing enthusiasts will love this point in Sinhagad Fort.
Daru Kothar – Daru Kothar is a small, hut-like structure near Pune Darwaza. It was used as a granary during the old times.
Kade Lot – Kade Lot is believed to be the place where prisoners were punished; thrown down from the edge of the cliff. It is on the western-most side of the fort, and it’s an attractive viewpoint. It is also called Sunset Point. And from here, you can see the tingling lights of Pune city, as the night takes over.
Tanaji Malusare’s Memorial – The memorial of Maratha commander Tanaji Malusare is built over his resting place. He died fighting with the fort keeper Udaybhan Rathod. Tanaji’s bust is placed here.
Udaybhan Rathod’s Memorial – The memorial of Udaybhan Rathod is also here at Sinhagad Fort. He was a Rajput warrior who suffered deep wounds after the fierce fight with Tanaji. Shelar Mama, a Maratha warrior, killed him.
Chhatrapati Rajaram’s Tomb – Chhatrapati Rajaram was the caretaker of Sinhagad Fort. The tomb resembles Muslim architecture, and it has a small Tulsi Vrindavan too. And from here, you can get a good view of Khadakwasla Dam and the city of Pune.
Sinhagad Fort temples – In the fort, Kaundinyeshwar Temple is an old temple dedicated to God Shiva. It is at the highest point. It has carvings that date back to over 2000 years. Amruteshwar Temple is on the southern side of the fort. It has the idols of Bhairav and Bhairavi, who are worshipped by the local fishermen. A Hanuman Temple and a Kali Temple are also among the popular Sinhagad Fort points to see.
Dev Taake – Dev Taake means God’s Cistern. It is a well, with crystal clear water. You’ll find the water sweet and cold. And it is one of the sources of water for the locals who have their shops set in the fort complex. Dev Taake is a good place to pause and quench your thirst.
Horse stables – In Sinhagad Fort, you’ll find caves that used to be horse stables.
Artillery – Artillery (or the Cannon Storehouse) was used to store weapons and cannonballs. This place also offers a gorgeous view of the valley surrounding the fort.
Lokmanya Tilak’s bungalow – Lokmanya Tilak used to stay in Sinhagad Fort often. His bungalow in the fort acted as a summer house. Gandhiji and Balgangadhar Tilak also stayed with him several times to discuss the freedom struggle.

Food at Sinhagad Fort

the most popular among the sinhagad fort food varieties is the maharashtrian lunch.While roaming around in the Fort complex, you’ll find local people selling berries, raw mango slices and cucumber pieces spiced with the special masala. Some hawkers also sell steamed corn and groundnuts.

Taak (salty buttermilk), lassi (sweet buttermilk) and lemonades are also available in case you feel thirsty.Local people have food stalls where they sell a variety of traditional dishes. You can taste crispy onion bhaji, vada-pav among other local snacks.For the main meal, you can order Bhakar (bread made of Jowar/Bajra) and jhunaka or Pitl (spicy gram-flour curry). Chicken and mutton curries are also available. thhecha (chilli pickle) and vangyache bharit (mashed roasted brinjals) are the dishes that accompany your lunch for the day.After you’re done eating, you can try dahi (organic yoghurt).

Howto reach Sinhagad Fort in Pune?

By bus – Plenty of buses to Sinhagad Fort from Pune. You can go by a state-run or private bus from the Swargate bus stand. They drop you at Donaje village, the base of the Sinhagad Fort. From there, you can trek your way up to the top of the fort.
By cab or private vehicle – By private vehicle, you can reach the main entrance of the fort. You can reach the fort in 1 hour from Swargate.

Sinhagad Fort Entry Fee and Timings

The entry fee of Sinhagad Fort varies from time to time. Then, you also need to pay for your vehicle, if you take it to the top of the fort. The charge is ₹20 per two-wheeler and ₹50 per four-wheeler. Sinhagad Fort is open throughout the year. And you can visit it between 6 AM and 6 PM on any day you want.