Pratapgad

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Pratapgad (also transcribed Pratapgarh or Pratapgadh) is a large fort located in Satara district, in the state of Maharashtra in India. Significant as the site of the Battle of Pratapgad, the fort is now a popular tourist destination.Pratapgad is 27 kms from Mahabaleshwar on Mahad Road. It is very important fort as the major fight with Afzal Khan took place here on 10'th November 1659. In 1656 Ch. Shivaji Maharaj built this fort. The height of this fort is 3543 feet above sea level. Also temple of Tulja Bhavani has been built here by Ch. Shivaji Maharaj. You can have vast look out of Hundreds of kilometer area right from Konkan.

The fort can be divided into the lower fort and upper fort.The upper fort was built upon the crest of the hill. It is roughly square, 180m long on each side. It has several permanent buildings, including a temple to the god Mahadev. It is located at the northwest of the fort, and is surrounded by sheer cliffs with drops of up to 250m.The lower fort is around 320m long and 110m wide. It is located at the southeast of the fort, and is defended by towers and bastions ten to twelve metres high.The Afzul tower extends out from the fort proper and defends the approach to the fort. It is said to have been constructed after the Battle of Pratapgad, and Afzul Khan's head is said to be buried under the tower.

In 1661, Shivaji was unable to visit the temple of the goddess Bhavani at Tuljapur. He decided to dedicate a temple to the goddess at this fort itself. This temple is on the eastern side of the lower fort. The shrine is made of stone, and contains a clothed black stone image of the goddess. The roof of the temple is flat inside, but covered in lead covering put up by the Satara Raja Pratapsinh (1818-1839). A small spire or shikhar covers the shrine.

A darga of Afzul Khan is located a short while away from the fort to the south-east.

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History:

This fort was initially recognised as the Bhorpya hill until Shivaji Maharaj completely reconstructed it, which was later recognised as �PRATAPGAD�. The construction of this fort was done under supervision of Shivaji Maharajas Prime Minister, Moropant Trimbak Pingle. (Prime Minister was recognised as Peshwea during those days. Peshwea was used as Title then).

This fort has got significant historic importance due to the the famous temple of Bhavani Mata, constructed by Shivaji Maharaj and the event of Assassination of Afzalkhan on it.

Pratapgad (also transcribed Pratapgarh or Pratapgadh) is a large fort located in Satara district, in the state of Maharashtra in India. Significant as the site of the Battle of Pratapgad, the fort is now a popular tourist destination.The Maratha king Shivaji commissioned Moropant Trimbak Pingle, his prime minister, to undertake the construction of this fort in order to defend the banks of the Nira and the Koyna rivers, and to defend the Par pass. It was completed in 1656.

The Battle of Pratapgarh between Shivaji and Afzal Khan was fought below the rampants of this fort on November 10, 1659. This was the first major test of the fledgling kingdom's army, and set the stage of the establishment of the Maratha empire.Pratapgad continued to be involved in regional politics. Sakharam Bapu, a well-known minister of Pune, was confined by his rival Nana Phadnis in Pratapgad in 1778. He was later moved from fort to fort until he finally died at Raigad. In 1796, Nana Phadnis, while escaping from the intrigues of Daulatrao Shinde and his minister Baloba, assembled a strong garrison in Pratapgad before heading to Mahad.

In 1818, as part of the Third Anglo-Maratha War, Pratapgad surrendered by private negotiation. This was a great loss to the Maratha forces, as Pratapgad was an important stronghold, had a large garrison, and could annoy much of the country round Wai.A 17-foot high equestrian bronze statue of Shivaji was unveiled by Javaharlal Nehru, then Prime Minister of India, on the 30th November 1957, the same year a road was constructed by the Public Works Department from Kumbhrosi village up to fort. A guest house and a national park were built inside the fort in 1960.

The fort is currently owned by Udayan Raje Bhosale, the heir of the Satara princely state.

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Makarangarh Fort
Makarangarh fort is also known as Saddle-Back since it looks like the back of a saddle. It is situated at a height of 1232 metres. One can reach this fort by foot from the Ghonaspur village. Mallikarjun temple is situated in this fort. The two peaks are Makarangarh and Madhugarh. The Madhugarh peak is very dangerous to climb on. The main attraction of Makarangarh is that one can view the Konkan Valley on one side and Mahableshwar on the other side.

Ramvardayeeni Temple
This temple is situated in the village named Paar which lies on the way to Pratapgadh at a distance of about 18 km from Mahableshwar. In the olden days this place was the checkpost for paying the excise duty for the merchants.

Tomb of Afzalkhan
Fort Pratapgad is also famous for the meeting of Shivaji and Afzalkhan where Shivaji had to kill Afzalkhan in self-defence.

Darbar (court)
Here would gather Shivaji’s small darbar. Neighbouring chiefs would come to visit Shivaji and the meeting would take place in this darbar. It is in this court only that Shivaji gave punishment to the traitor “Khandoji Khopde” by giving the command to cut off his left hand and right leg. Criminals would be treated in a similar fashion during Shivaji’s reign.

Steep Cliffs
Serious crimes had only one punishment- Death. The criminal would be tied up with ropes , put in a sack and would be thrown down the cliff.

Tehalni Buruj (Watch-Tower) :
This is on the western side of the fort. This fortified place is adjacent to the currently existing vehicle parking bay. This Watch-tower was used to keep an eye on the enemy in the surrounding area.

Mahadarwaja :
A road on the left side of the Watch-tower takes us to the entrance steps of the fort. Mahadarwaja lies here in between the two bastions. Cannon can be seen placed at this door. After taking a left turn from this door, two other doors are visible but they are not in use any more.

Rahat Lake :
There are total four lakes on the fort, Rahat lake being the largest among them. On the eastern bastion lie the ponds known as Naske Tale and Gode Tale.

Cultural Library :
Some recently established refreshment centers can be seen while moving towards citadel. Within those establishments, on a higher platform, is situated a cultural library. It displays olden coins, dresses of people of those days and vintage paintings of Marathi-style. One can also view a 15minutes slide show arranged by the library officials which gives us information about Pratapgad in brief.

Temple of Lord Hanuman :
This temple lies before the entrance door of citadel. The idol of Lord Hanuman was established by Samarth Ramdas Swami.

Sadar, A Meeting Platform :
As you enter through the door of the citadel, you come across an open space. This is called as Sadar. Important meetings and discussions used to take place on this Sadar. Opposite to this lies the Kedareshwar Temple.

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Nearest Visiting places:

• Table Land
• Wonder Point
• Dhom Dam
• Sidney Point
• Parsi Point
• TAPOLA ( BOAT CLUB )

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Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

• BRIGHTLAND HOLIDAY VILLAGE MAHABALESHWAR
• Hotels Mahabaleshwar
• Valley View Resort
• Lots of cheap Hotels available too.

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