Rajgad

Description/ History

RAJGAD FORT – CAPITAL FORT OF “HINDAVI SWARAJYA”.

Rajgad fort was recognized as first political base of “Hindavi Swarajya”. It still can be witnessed as an unchallangable, undisputable and unconquerable fort in ‘Hindavi Swarajya’.

Rajgad was initially known as ‘Murumbdev’ during the Bahamani regime.

However, during the year 1490, the founder of Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar, Ahmed Bahiri had conquered many forts in western Maharashtra which included Valeghat and many others in South Konkan, and thus established a supremacy over the region.

Thus, Nizamshahi was established on the fort and later for about 125 long years there was no attack on the fort.

Subsequently, the reins of the fort were transferred from Nizamshahi to Adilshahi.

During Nizamshahi, Baji Haibatrao Shilimkar and his father Rudraji Naik controlled the operations of the fort however, as per instructions of Malik Amber, the operations were handed over to Sardar Haibatkhama of Adilshahi dynasty.

Later during 1630 the fort was again under the control of Nizamshahi.

Shahaji Raje`s officer Sonaji started looking into the affairs of this fort.

Later, the fort was attacked by Adilshah of Vijapur during which Sonaji was injured.

Hence, Balaji Naik Shilimkar ventured ahead to protect Murumbdev fort along with a division of troops. He too was injured during the clashes.

However, he was duly honored by Shahaji Raji for the performance in the task.

Later, Shivaji Maharaj established control over Murumbdev fort.

Region: Pune

District: Pune

Range:  Pune

Nearest railway Station: Pune

Height:

Grade:  Easy/ Medium

Trek Time:  3 hrs

Food :  Villagers make arrangement for the food on top, also you can pre order it from base village  they will deliver on top

Drinking Water:  yes, available on top throughout the year,  not on trekking route

Stay: Yes possible one can stay in padmavati temple & also tent can be set up on fort around lake,  Tourist Guest house  available on Padmavati Machi

Best Season to Visit: September is the best period to visit the fort, as the fort gets covered by beautiful yellow color flowers.

How to reach

Routes :

Chor Darwaja

From Pune, board a State Transport Bus to Rajgad and alight at Vajeghar village.

Thereafter from Babuda zapa  proceed towards Railing in approx an hour. From there it takes minimum time to reach Rajgad.

Trek via this route will take 3 hours.

Pali Darwaja

From Pune, board a State Transport Bus to Velhe and there after from Pabe village after crossing Kanad river one can directly reach Pali darwaja.

This staircase walkway is quite easy and one can reach Rajgad in 3 hours.

Alu Darwaja

Not very famous route for trekking the base village for this route is  Bhutonde or even through ‘Shivtharghal’