Vishalgad

Fort Vishalgad: A History of Sieges and Heroes Originally Fort Kishagila (also Kishigila, Bhojgad, Khilgila, Khelna). Early History: * Circa 1190 C.E.: King Bhoj II moved his capital to Panhala and built forts, including Kishagila, to protect pass ways. * Captured by Yadavas, then Bahamanis.The Malik Utujar Deception (1453 C.E.): * Bahamani Commander Malik Utujar entered Konkan to capture forts, taking Prachitgad from the Shirkes. * Shirkes tricked Malik Utujar, leading his army into a deadly Sahyadri trap (a dead end surrounded by hills and a creek). * Shirkes allied with the Mores of Khelna and raided the ill (severe diarrhoea/blood) Malik Utujar and his tired army. Malik Utujar and his army were destroyed. This event is described by Ferista.Bahamani Rule: * 1469 CE: Bahamani Sultan Babkire sent Malik Rehan. After 7 tries and 9 months, he captured Fort Khelna. * Find Malik Rehan's dargah and stone inscription on the fort. * The fort was held by Bahamanis and Adilshahis for over 175 years.Maratha Era: * Nov 28, 1659: Shivaji Maharaj captured Fort Khelna and renamed it **Fort Vishalgad**. * March 3, 1660: While escaping the siege of Fort Panhala (led by Siddhi Jauhar), Shivaji Maharaj broke the siege around Vishalgad and sought refuge here. * Bajiprabhu and 300 Mavala soldiers died retaliating Siddhi Jauhar's army during the escape. * Shivaji Maharaj strengthened the fort with 5000 hone currency. * Sambhaji Maharaj built new fortifications. * 1686: Sambhaji Maharaj's commander, Poet Kalash, was defeated and sought shelter here. * 1689 CE: Sambhaji Maharaj was captured at Sangameshwar in Tulapur while traveling from Vishalgad to Raigad. * During Rajaram Maharaj's reign, Vishalgad served as the main headquarters and capital under Amatya Ramchandrapant. * 1701 CE: Rajaram Maharaj's third wife, Ambikabai, committed Sati on the fort.Mughal Capture: * Dec 1701: Aurangzeb besieged the fort with a large army. * June 6, 1702: Commander Parshuram Pantpratinidhi held off the siege for six months, eventually relinquishing the fort for 2 lakh rupees and safe escape. * Aurangzeb renamed the fort **Sarvarlana**. His army faced devastating losses heading to Fort Panhala.Later History: * 1707 CE: Tararani recaptured Vishalgad. * Possession passed to the Karaveer Maratha reign, then to the Pantpratinidhi. * 1844: British destroyed the fort structures after capturing it.

Vishalgad Fort: Your Guide to the Spots GETTING THERE: Arrive at the parking lot opposite Vishalgad. Cross the small valley via the iron bridge to reach the fort base. CHOOSING YOUR PATH: For a full tour, take the steep LADDER route up (front path) and the STEPS route down (right path). LEFT ROUTE (History & Heritage): * **Amruteshwar Temple:** Reachable in 5 mins. See the Panchanana idol and the water tank (obstructing the water-fall). * **Pataal Dari (Valley):** A stream is present. * **Heroes' Tombstones:** See the tombstones of Bajiprabhu Deshpande and Phulaji Deshpande on the other side of the stream. * **Hanuman Temple:** Located on the right side.RIGHT ROUTE (Temples & Views): * **Bhagwanteshwar Temple:** Reachable in 5 mins via the cemented path from the dargah area. * Also see Vitthal and the newly built Ganpati temple nearby. * Note the square well and a tortoise (particularly worth seeing). * MODI SCRIPT INSCRIPTION on the sanctum step reads: "1707 CE Abaji Jadhav, Vishalgad." * Temple caretaker: Mr. Hardikar (resides beside the temple). Stay facility can be arranged here. * Don't miss the carved art on Vitthala temple's wooden door/arches and the Brahmadev idol. * **Pantpratinidhi Mansion (Palace):** * A well with square steps leads the way. * Entry door is in ruins, but explore the small basement cellar (3 ft high, enter by crawling). The palace is mostly debris. * **Round Well:** Located at the palace's south doorway exit. Descend via an arched entrance with a small (Dindi) door to find a Mahadeva temple inside. * **Takmak Point (Tok):** 5 minutes from the dry well behind the palace.FINAL SIGHTS: * Return to the dargah (shops/restaurants). Ask for **Mundha Doorway (Darwaja)**; it has an intact bastion and arch. * Follow the path to **Ranamandala Hill** to see the 8 cannons. * On descent via the stairs, look for the stone platform with a pair of footprints, believed to be the tombstone of Ambikabai, the third wife of Rajaram Maharaj. * **More Spots:** Caves of Muchkunda, Sati, and Taas hill.