Pratapgad, Pratapgadh or Pratapgarh, whatever you call it; the fort stands as a testimony to the valor and the courage of the Maratha warriors. Pratapgad holds its own significance in the history of the Maratha Empire. This widely spread fort is perched in the Sahyadri Ranges in the Satara district of Maharashtra state in India.
The site is around 150 km from Pune. Over the years the fort has turned into a popular tourist spot. A one day trip to Pratapgad from Pune is possible but for me it will be a farfetched endeavor. Spend a couple of days in this beautiful region, breathe in ample fresh air and then get back to your daily routine.
Where is it located?
To be precise, Pratapgad is 15 kilometers away from Poladpur and 22 kilometers from the famous hill station Mahabaleshwar. The height of the fort is 1080 meters from the sea level.
History of the Fort:
It was necessary to strengthen the defense of the banks of the River Koyna and River Nira. Chhatrapati Shivaji thought that a well built fort in this region would serve the purpose. He commissioned his prime minister Moropant Pingle to start the construction of a sturdy fort. Moropant supervised the construction competently and in 1656 the construction was completed.
The site has witnessed a grueling war between the forces of Shivaji and those of Afzal Khan. Afzal Khan, a stockily built up Bijapuri general vowed in the royal court that he would kill Shivaji. He advanced forth with a huge army. King Shivaji was on Pratapgad that time and Afzal Khan was trying to provoke and bring him down the plateau in order to kill him.
Shvaji’s forces were few in numbers but masters in the guerrilla warfare and Afzal Khan wanted to bring them all in the open ground and destroy all at once.
Shivaji played a trick and invited Afzal Khan for a face to face discussion. He erected an ostentatious tent for Khan and called him there. Khan was enraged to see the grandeur and the glory of the Maratha Empire.
It was decided earlier that the meeting would be unarmed but two personal body guards would accompany both of them; one would remain at an arrow-shot distance away from the meeting place.
When Shivaji and Khan were face to face Khan offered him an embrace. As Shivaji embraced the gigantic Afzal Khan, Khan held Shivaji’s head in his strong grip and tried to stab him in his back with a dagger. Forewarned Shivaji had worn an armor which saved him from this attack. Somehow Shivaji managed to take the Wagh Nakh (a type of sharp weapon that has to be worn in fingers and looks like the tiger’s claws) and disemboweled Khan. A fierce battle was fought in the valleys of Pratapgad and eventually the Maratha warriors registered a remarkable victory.
Even in the later years the fort continued to be the centre of regional politics.
Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Indian Prime Minister, unveiled a 17 foot high bronze statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji on November 30, 1957. The government built here a national park as well as a guest house in 1960.
Sight Seeing:
The place has always been attracting tourists, students of history, researchers, archeologists and photographers.
Upper Fort:
Sturdy construction of the fort and the massive bastions are proof enough of the strategic importance of Pratapgad. The upper part of the fort is square in shape and 180m long on all sides. Several structures erected by the Marathas that include a beautiful temple of Lord Shiva are worth seeing.
Lower Fort:
Around 320 m long and over 100m wide lower fort is the southeast part of the fort. Bastions around eleven meters in height ensure the defense of this side of the fort.
Afzal Tower:
It is a tower in the front part near the approach to the fort. Some references say that after Shivaji killed Afzal Khan, khan’s head was buried here and a big tower was constructed as a memory to this victory.
Bhavani Temple:
To the east of the lower fort, beautiful Bhavani Temple is yet another attraction on Pratapgad. Shivaji constructed this temple when it was not possible for him to go to Tuljapur and bow down before Goddess Bhavni there.
Afzal Khan Dargah:
After Shivaji killed Afzal Khan and ordered that Khan being a brave warrior should get a respectful funeral and hence a dargah was constructed at the foothills of the fort to the south-east.
In addition to these, the court of King Shivaji, Mahadarwaaza, Tehalni Buruj and Rahat Lake are a few other places on the fort to visit.
Best time to come:
You can plan a trip to Pratapgad any time of the year but the monsoon beauty of the region is something you shouldn’t miss.
Food and Accommodation:
Carrying your own food is the best option. Some hotels at cheap rates too are available. For accommodation, many lodges and hotels in Mahabaleshwar can be thought of.
So do come and experience the solemnity in the air of Pratapgad, the witness to the ferocious battle between Shivaji and Afzal Khan.
If you have visited Pratapgad Fort, please tell us more about this place through comment.
Pratapgad Fort on Pune Map
Pratapgad Fort in Pune
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August 29th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
[...] Point: It is also called the Sunset Point. In the northern side of the point you see the giant Pratapgad fort. Loads of people rush to this point to see the beautiful sunset here and hence the name Sunset [...]