Rajgad Fort
Rajgad:- literally meaning King of forts, one of the forts of Maharashtra state in India. Situated in the Pune district, the fort is 1318 meters above sea level.
Formerly known as Murumdev, it was capital of the Maratha Kingdom (Hindavi Swarajya) ruled by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for almost 26 years, after which he moved to Raigad fort and made that his capital.
Treasure found on adjacent Torna Fort was used to fortify this hill.
Past Details :
1. James Dougals in his ‘Book of Bombay’ writes, Rajgad and Torna occupy an unchallangable position and are uncongquerable thus facilitating Hindu King Shivaji Maharaj to have a wide scope to expand boundries of his kingdom.
2. Saki Mustaodakhan in his novel called ‘Masire Alamgire’ narrates about Rajgad as :
A very tall fort which justifies itsposition and excellence amongst all. Its huge size covers a diameter of almost 24 miles at its base. One cannot imagine its hughness and strength. It is believed that only wind can roam around and water can pass through the thick forest surrounding the fort. Else, it is very difficult for anybody to pass through the thick jungles.
3. Mohammad Hashim Khalikhan writes in his novel called ‘Muntakhabullubab-E-
Mohammed Shahi’ as it is very difficult to explain/put in words the greatness of
Rajgad fort. Its height and size is so great that it makes our heart repress. The
down underneath the earth who carries the portion of this fort must be finding it
equally painful. The thick forest surrounding the fort has poisionous snakes and terrifying founa in abundance. Hence, in view of the above, it is very difficult for anyone even to lay a siege.
The history of this fort however dates back to approximately 2000 years wherein one can find evidence of this mountain range in existence. History also has evidence that saint Brahmarshi lived on this mountain range and also subsequent establishment of ‘Shri. Brahmarshi Devasthan’ which confirms its vintage existence.
Rajgad was initially known as ‘Murumbdev’ during the Bahamani regime. However, during the year 1490, the founder of Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar, Ahmed Bahiri had conquered many forts in western Maharashtra which included Valeghat and many others in South Konkan, and thus established a supremacy over the region. It was during the same period that Ahmed Bahiri established control over Murumbdev fort. His task was simplified by the In-charge of the fort, who extended unconditional surrender to Ahmed Bahiri. Thus, Nizamshahi was established on the fort and later for about 125 long years there was no attack on the fort. Subsequently, the reins of the fort were transferred from Nizamshahi to Adilshahi. During Nizamshahi, Baji Haibatrao Shilimkar and his father Rudraji Naik controlled the operations of the fort however, as per instructions of Malik Amber, the operations were handed over to Sardar Haibatkhama of Adilshahi dynasty.
Later during 1630 the fort was again under the control of Nizamshahi. Shahaji Raje`s officer Sonaji started looking into the affairs of this fort. Later, the fort was attacked by Adilshah of Vijapur during which Sonaji was injured. Hence, Balaji Naik Shilimkar ventured ahead to protect Murumbdev fort along with a division of troops. He too was injured during the clashes. However, he was duly honored by Shahaji Raji for the performance in the task.
It’s hard to find clear evidence as to when Shivaji Maharaj established control over Murumbdev fort. However, inferences can be drawn against the following two notations as under:
1. In the 10th chapter of the literature of ‘Shivcharitra’, says – Shivaji Maharaj established control over ‘Shahamrug’ mountain range and later constructed a building over it.
2. In an historical novel ( commonly referred to as ‘Bakhar’ ) written by Krishnaji Anant Sabhasad says that, there was a mountain called Murabad over which settlement took place and was later renamed as Rajgad. The fort has four ‘machis’. It seems that Sabhasad has counted even the Citadel as a machi.
However, somewhere during the period from 1646 to 1647, Shivaji Maharaj conquered this fort along with Torna. He undertook major reconstruction work of the fort. It included construction of curtain wall for the three machis and later named them as Suvela, Sanjivani and Padmavati; construction of a building on the main fort and later renaming it as Rajgad; huge plantations of Mango trees in a village called Khedbare near Shirval were taken up and a market place was setup. Later the village name was changed to Shivapur.
• Year 1660 marked the beginning of wars and battles for this fort. Under instructions of Mughal King Aurangazeb, Shahistekhan attacked Shivaji Maharaj`s kingdom. Through available sources it is understood that when Shahistekhan summoned his forces to conquer Rajgad, troops destroyed few villages near the fort but did not attempt to attack the fort. In due course, on 6th April 1663, Shivaji Maharaj raided Shahistekhan`s regime and returned back to Rajgad.
• In the year 1665, Maratha kingdom was attacked again by Mughal Sardar Mirzaraje jaisingh. Daudkhan and Raisingh were nominated to capture forts. Vide their assigned task; on 30th April 1665 Mughal troops attacked Rajgad. There was strong opposition from Marathas which ultimately proved too strong for Mughals. Hence, Mughals had to move back.
• Rajgad was one among those were retained by Shivaji Maharaj`s, after surrender of 23 forts to Mughals as per the conditions in ‘Treaty of Purandar’ with Mughal representative Jaisingh.
• After the escape from Agra, on 12th Sept 1666, Maharaj arrived safely on Rajgad.
• On 24th Feb 1670 Rajaram was born on Rajgad Fort.
• In the year 1670, Shivaji Maharaj summoned Tanaji Malusare to capture Sinhagad fort from this very Rajgad.
• During 1671-72, Shivaji Maharaj confirmed Raigad as the capital base of Hindavi Swarajya` and shifted all operations from Rajgad fort to Raigad.
• After the sad demise of Shivaji Maharaj on 3rd April1680, marked a downfall of Swarajya. On 11th March 1689, Sambhji Maharaj (Son of Shivaji Maharaj) was nabbed and killed by Mughals. Later, Mughals marched triumph and captured many forts. Rajgad was one among them which fell in hands of Kishoresingh Hada (a Mughal Sardar). It was in June 1689; Aurangazeb nominated Abdulkhairkhan to look after the operations of the fort. However, the news of death of Sambhaji Maharaj had not reached Marathas hence their morale was high. Marathas later gathered near foothills of the fort and managed to capture the fort on their own vigor.
• In January 1694, secretary of Hindavi Swarajya, Shankarji Narayan advised/instructed Deshmukhs of Kanad valley to continue looking after the affairs of the region comprising this fort by virtue of their performance in defence of this fort against Mughals.
• On 11th Nov 1703, Aurangajeb personally ventured to the task of capturing this fort along with his army. He started his journey from Pune however; it proved to be tough for him. The approach to Rajgad was very tough / difficult as about 8 miles of stretch was through ghats. Aurangazeb summoned thousands of masons and equipments to reconstruct the road. However, he was not successful in doing so hence equipment & raw material were left deserted. Ultimately on 2nd December 1703 Aurangazeb reached near Rajgad. He arranged his troops and artillery to attack the fort. He constructed an equally high scaffolding adjacent to it and placed cannons over it. He started attacking the fort while Tarbitkhan and Hamibuddinkhan continued to attack from Padmawati Machi end. The battle continued for 2 long months and later on 4th Feb1703 Aurangazeb managed to capture it. He appointed Iradatkhan to look after the operations of the fort and renamed the fort as ‘Nabishahagad’.
• On 27th May 1707, Gunaji Sawant and Pantaji Shivdev jointly attacked Rajgad and by capturing it, the same got registered on the roll book of Marathas.
• Later Shahu Maharaj took control over the fort and funded Rs.300/- for Suvela Machi and Rs.100/- for Sanjivani Machi to take up re-construction activity.
• During Peshwe regime, the operations of the fort were being looked after by their secretaries. Due to unstable economic conditions which frequently prevailed during Peshwe regime, also led to a delay to the salaries of their staff. There is also an evidence regarding non payment of salaries for almost an year on Rajgad fort during such an economic crisis.
• Later the fort was passed on to the hands of ‘Bhor Trust’. The Trust appointed six officers to look after the fort; Sarnoubat Shilimkar to look after Suvela Machi, Sarnoubat Pawar to look after Padmawati Machi, Sarnoubat Khopade to look after Sanjivani Machi. They were being assisted by many junior officers.
Way To Reach :-
From Pune :- Narveer Tanaji Malusare Road- 55.0 km, 1 hour 22 mins
From Mumbai :- Mumbai - Pune Expressway- 200 km, 3 hours 18 mins
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