On the Bhuleshwar range spread across the eastern range of Sahyadri, there was an ancient fort called “Kondhana”. Over time, it was renamed Sinhagad. From Sinhagad, one can see a vast expanse of land including Purandar, Rajgad, Torana, Lohagad, Visapur, and Tung. Sinhagad is famous for the unparalleled bravery of Tanaji Malusare. Being close to the city of Pune, it is always a center of attraction for tourists.
| Fort Name | Sinhagad Fort |
|---|---|
| Height from sea level | 4400 |
| Fort Type | Giridurg |
| Trekking Difficulty Level | Medium |
| Place | Pune |
A Guide to Sinhagad Fort: Everything You Need to Know
Sinhagad Fort History:
The Sinhagad fort was previously under the control of the Adilshahi dynasty. Dadoji Konddev was the Adilshahi subhedar (governor) of the region. After Dadoji Konddev’s death in 1647, Shivaji Maharaj bribed the fort commander Siddi Amber and brought the fort under the control of the Maratha Empire. He made it one of his military bases. Later in 1649, as part of the Treaty of Purandar, Shivaji Maharaj returned the Sinhagad fort to Adilshah in order to secure the release of his father Shahaji Raje.
The sacrifice of Tanaji Malusare:
Sinhagad fort is famous for the unparalleled sacrifice of Tanaji Malusare. After returning from Agra, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj started a campaign to recapture the fort from the Mughals. Tanaji Malusare took an oath to conquer the Kondhana fort.
The story of the battle:
According to the Sabhasad Bakhar, 500 Mavalas led by Tanaji Malusare scaled the cliffs of the fort at night. The Rajput soldiers on the fort were alerted to the arrival of the Mavalas and a fierce battle ensued. 500 Rajput soldiers were killed in the battle. Tanaji Malusare and the fort commander Udaybhan engaged in a fierce duel. Both the brave warriors attained martyrdom.
After Tanaji’s sacrifice:
Tanaji’s brother Suryaji Malusare used a strategic plan to defeat the remaining Rajput soldiers and capture the fort. When Shivaji Maharaj received the news of the victory, he was saddened by the news of Tanaji’s death and exclaimed, “We have won the fort, but lost a lion.”
Name Sinhagad:
There is a myth that after Tanaji’s sacrifice, Maharaj renamed the fort as Sinhagad. However, historical evidence suggests that the name “Sinhagad” was already in use before that. In a letter written by Maharaj himself on 3/04/1663, he mentions the name “Sinhagad”.
History:
In 1689, the Mughals captured the fort, but the Marathas recaptured it four years later in 1693. In 1700, Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj died on Sinhagad. The fort then went back to the Mughals and Aurangzeb renamed it “Bakhshinda Baksh”. In 1705, the Marathas finally captured the fort and it became part of the Maratha Empire.
Places to see on Sinhagad:
1) Pune Gate:
This gate is located to the north of the fort. It was the main gate used since before the time of Shivaji. There are three consecutive gates on this side, facing Pune. Of these, the third gate is from the Yadava period.
2) Khand Kada:
As soon as you enter the fort, the 30 to 35 feet high Khand Kada stands before your eyes. From here you can see the Pune and Purandar region to the east.
3) Gunpowder Store:
The gunpowder store is a grand stone building located to the right of the entrance gate. On September 11, 1751, a lightning strike caused extensive damage to the store. In this accident, the Fadnavis’ house on the fort was destroyed and all the residents of the house were killed.
4) Bungalow famous for Tilak’s visit:
This bungalow, built on land purchased from Ramlal Nandram Naik, is famous for the visit of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. In 1915, Mahatma Gandhi and Lokmanya Tilak met in this bungalow.
5) Kondhaneshwar:
This temple of Shiva is from the Yadava period and was the family deity of the Yadavas. The temple has a pindi and a Nandi statue.
6) Shri Amruteshwar Bhairav Temple:
Just near the Kondhaneshwar temple, on the left, you will find the ancient Amruteshwar temple. Bhairav is the deity of the Kolis, and there is evidence that before the Yadavas, there was a Koli settlement on this fort. The temple has two grand statues of Bhairav and Bhairavi. The statue of Bhairava holding the head of a demon is particularly attractive.
7) Devtake:
Behind the Tanaji memorial, on the left, is a small pond. If you turn left from the side of the pond, you will see this famous Devtake. This tank was used earlier for drinking water and people still use that water today. When Mahatma Gandhi used to come to Pune, he would specifically ask for water from this tank.
8) Kalyan Gate:
This gate located to the west of the fort is known as Kalyan Gate. If you come up from the village of Kalyan at the foot of the fort from Kondhanpur, you enter through this gate. These two doors are one after the other.
9) Udebhan’s Memorial:
Go up the hill behind the gate. The square stone here is a memorial built in memory of Udebhan Rathod. Udebhan was the Mughal officer of Sinhagad.
10) Zunjhar Buruj:
Located at the southern tip of Sinhagad, Zunjhar Buruj offers you an unforgettable experience of the scenery.
You can reach this bastion by descending from the Udaybhan memorial.
In front is the Rajgad, which looks like a hat, to its right is Torana, below is the Panshet valley and Purandar is visible far to the east.
11) Dongirichi aka Tanaji Kada:
Coming back from Zunjhar Buruj, you can reach Tanaji Kada by the footpath on the side of the rampart. This edge is to the west of the fort and it was from here that Tanaji and his Mavalas climbed up.
12) Rajaram Memorial:
The colorful dome in the Rajasthani style is the memorial of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj. Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, who fought a strategic battle with the Mughals for 11 years, died on Sinhagad on March 2, 1700, at the age of 30. The Peshwas used to take good care of this monument.
13) Tanaji’s Memorial:
The famous Tanaji memorial can be seen on the left while going up behind Amruteshwar. This monument, built by the Tanaji Memorial Committee, was built in memory of Tanaji who was martyred in the battle that took place on Magh Vadya Navami. Every year, Tanaji’s death anniversary is celebrated by the Mandal on Magh Vadya Navami.
How to reach Sinhagad:
Sinhagad Fort is located 39 kilometers southwest of Pune. There are many ways to reach the fort.
By private vehicle:
You can reach the fort directly via the Pune-Kondhanpur road.
There is a good road built to go to the fort.
Public transport:
You can travel from Swargate to Hatkarwadi by Pune Mahanagar Palika buses (PMT).
From Hatkarwadi, you will have to trek for 1.30 hours to reach the fort.
Trekking:
You can reach the fort by trekking via Hatkarwadi, Kalyan village.
The difficulty level of trekking is moderate and it will take you 2 to 3 hours to reach the fort.
Accommodation and food facilities on Sinhagad:
Accommodation:
There are no accommodation facilities on the fort.
There are a few hotels and resorts at the foot of the fort where you can stay.
Food:
There are a few hotels on the fort where you can get Marathi food like Jhunka Bhakri, Bhaji, Vangyache Bharit, Taak, Dahi. You can bring your own food and water and eat on the fort.
Water:
There is a Devtake on the fort where you can get water throughout the year.