Rajgad

Rajgad Fort: A Legacy of Kings Rajgad, initially 'Murumbdev,' holds a dignified place in history, dating back ~2000 years, with evidence of Saint Brahmarshi and Shri. Brahmarshi Devasthan. Noted figures like James Dougals ('Book of Bombay') and Saki Mustaodakhan ('Masire Alamgire') highlighted its unchallengeable strength and huge size (24-mile base diameter). **Early Rule:** * 1490: Ahmed Bahiri (founder of Nizamshahi, Ahmednagar) conquered Murumbdev via unconditional surrender from the fort's In-charge. Nizamshahi held it for \~125 years. * The fort passed to Adilshahi. Operations were controlled by Baji Haibatrao Shilimkar and his father Rudraji Naik (Nizamshahi), then Sardar Haibatkhama (Adilshahi). * 1630: Back to Nizamshahi; Shahaji Raje's officer Sonaji managed affairs.**Shivaji Maharaj & Rajgad:** * Between 1646-1647: Shivaji Maharaj conquered Murumbdev (along with Torna). He renamed the fort Rajgad. * Major reconstruction established three machis (curtain walls): Suvela, Sanjivani, and Padmavati, and renamed the main fort Rajgad. * Shivapur village (near Shirval, previously Khedbare) was also established with mango plantations and a market place.**Major Events:** * 1660: Mughal Shahistekhan (under Aurangazeb) attacked the kingdom, but didn't assault Rajgad. * April 6, 1663: Shivaji Maharaj raided Shahistekhan's regime and returned to Rajgad. * April 30, 1665: Mughal troops (Daudkhan and Raisingh, under Mirzaraje Jaisingh) attacked but were repelled by Marathas. * **Treaty of Purandar:** Rajgad was among the forts retained by Shivaji Maharaj (23 forts surrendered to Mughals). * Sept 12, 1666: Maharaj arrived safely on Rajgad after escaping Agra. * Feb 24, 1670: Rajaram was born here. * 1670: Shivaji Maharaj summoned Tanaji Malusare from Rajgad to capture Sinhagad fort. * 1671-72: Operations shifted as Raigad became the new capital of Hindavi Swarajya.**Fall and Recapture:** * Mar 11, 1689: Following Sambhji Maharaj's death, Mughals captured Rajgad (Kishoresingh Hada, then Abdulkhairkhan appointed). Marathas quickly recaptured it via their own vigor. * Jan 1694: Shankarji Narayan instructed Deshmukhs of Kanad valley to manage the fort. * Dec 2, 1703: Aurangazeb personally besieged the fort after struggling with the 8-mile ghat approach. After a 2-month battle, he captured it (Feb 4, 1703), renaming it 'Nabishahagad' and appointing Iradatkhan. * May 27, 1707: Gunaji Sawant and Pantaji Shivdev jointly recaptured Rajgad for the Marathas. * Later, Shahu Maharaj funded reconstruction for Suvela Machi (Rs.300) and Sanjivani Machi (Rs.100). * Peshwe regime managed the fort amid economic crises (delayed salaries). * The fort finally passed to the 'Bhor Trust,' which appointed six officers, including Sarnoubat Shilimkar (Suvela), Sarnoubat Pawar (Padmavati), and Sarnoubat Khopade (Sanjivani).

**Rajgad Fort: Fascinating Spots** **PADMAVATI LAKE** Beautifully constructed lake near Padmavati Machi (via Gupta-darwaja). Walls and entrance arch are intact, though the lake contains mire. **RAMESHWAR TEMPLE** Located right in front of Padmavati Devi Temple. Features a Shivalinga dating back to Shivaji Maharaj’s era. Faces east, includes a south-facing idol of Lord Hanuman. **RAJWADA (Castles)** Remains of castles accessed via the staircase in front of Rameshwar Temple. Includes Amberkhana, a flat land portion, an artillery storage yard, and a small lake. **PALI DARWAJA** Named after Pali village, this massive entrance features a huge staircase. The door is large enough for an elephant with its seat. Protected by fortified places 200m ahead. Special feature: protective wall with circular openings for cannons. Leads to Padmavati Machi. **GUNJAVANE DOOR** A series of three doors. The first is simple but strongly fortified. The second has a carved arch. The last door features Ganesh plate carvings of two elephant trunks holding pots upside down. Believed to predate Shivaji Maharaj. **PADMAVATI MACHI** The most graceful of Rajgad’s three machis. Served as both a military base and residential zone. See ruins of: Padmavati Temple, Saibai’s tomb, constables’ castle, Padmavati Lake, secret/Pali/Gunjavane doorways, and arms storage. **PADMAVATI TEMPLE** Constructed by Shivaji Maharaj when he renamed Murumbdev to Rajgad. Houses three idols; one established by Shivaji Maharaj. Large enough for 20-30 people. Drinking water available nearby. Saibai's tomb is in front. Reconstructed in 2002. **SANJIVANI MACHI** Started after Suvela Machi. Extends \~2.5 km, built in three armored phases. Climb down the first stage to see a trio of fortified places (Northward). Features many cisterns, castle ruins, and 19 fortified places total. Includes an underground escape route to the outermost fortification. Accessible via Alu Darwaja. **ALU DARWAJA** An entrance to Rajgad; the only approach from Torna. Currently devastated. Features a carving of a deer being killed by a tiger. **SUVELA MACHI** Strong, sturdy machi built by Shivaji Maharaj on the eastern part after capturing Murumbdev. Constructed in three stages, narrower along its length. Starts near ‘Duba’ hill. Spots include: military camps, a south-facing Hanuman idol, a cistern, and verandas once owned by Maratha sardars (Yesaji Kank, Tanaji Malusare, Shlimbkar). Leads to the 2nd stage or Kaleshwar fortified place. Features an underground escape way. Look for the 3.0m diameter hole rock: ‘Nedh’ or ‘Hatti Prastar’. This rock leads to Gupta Darwaja ('Madhe' darwaja). **KALESHWAR FORTIFIED PLACE & SURROUNDING** On the route to Suvela Machi’s 2nd phase (right side). Features ruins of Rameshwar temple (Shivalinga, Nandi, demigod idol). Kaleshwar Fortified Place is further ahead, with a secret doorway at its base. **CITADEL** Rajgad’s highest elevation point. Approach is difficult and narrow. Entrance is the ‘Maha Darwaja’ (6.0M high), featuring lotus and ‘Swastika’ carvings, in good condition. Fortification (1.5M high) all around. Inside: Janani Temple, a lake, and the Northern Bastion (view of Padmavati Machi). Adjacent is the temple of Saint Brahmarshi. Scattered castle/structure ruins also present.