PURANDAR FORT

PURANDAR FORT INFORMATION & HISTORY

INFORMATION :

Purandar fort is located near Pune in Maharashtra. The fort is said to be the birthplace of Chhtrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This was the fort from which the rising Maratha kingdom Started against the Adilshah of Bijapur Sultanate and Mughals. The for is divided into two parts. The Lower part of the fort is called as machi while the Upper Part is called a balekilla. The Lower part of the fort was used as a hospital and cantonment during the era. While the upper part is surrounded with steep drop from three sides.

There is also a temple of kedareshwar (shiva) in the balekilla. There are many temples on the fort. The fort of the name was given from the temple of God Purandeswar.The fort is one of the major tourist attractions and trekking point which is near to the city of narayanpur. It is about a 2hr trek to the fort from the base village. You can also drive through your vehicle halfway to the fort.The view of the fort from the balekilla in monsoon is a beauty and treat to watch. There is lush greenery everywhere around the fort in monsoon.There is also a famous temple of Lord Narayaneshwar temple at the base village of Narayanpur.

HISTORY :

This is the fort from where the Maratha’s started the Expansion of their kingdom against the Adilshah of Bijapur and the Mughal. The fort is said to be one of the oldest forts. It was Captured by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the year 1646. The “Treaty of Purandar” was signed in 1665 between Shivaji Mahraj and Auranzeb when his commander Mirza Raje Jaisingh captured the fort. According to the treaty, Shivaji handed over twenty-three forts including Purandar, and a territory with a revenue of four lakh hons (gold coins). Shivaji Maharaj was made the jagirdar of the territory.

After 5 years in 1670 Shivaji Maharaj Recaptured the fort from Aurangzeb. After that the fort was under the Peshwas. In 1690 Koli chief Karoji Naik Conquered the fort. In the year 1818 the fort was under the british when they were ruling India. During World war 2 the fort was used as a prison by the britishers. After 1947 when India Got Independence the fort went under the Government of India as a Historical Monument.