Vishalgad Fort ( विशालगड किल्ला )

Vishalgad Fort ( विशालगड किल्ला )

• Name of the Fort:  Vishalgad Fort
• Type : Hill Fort         
• Height : 3630 feet ( 1130 metres )
• Built By : Shilahar king ‘Narsinha’
• Materials : Stone , Lead
• Open For Public : Yes

VISHALGAD FORT is an ancient hill fortress that is situated almost 76 km towards the north west of Kolhapur in the Maharashtra state India. The Vishalgad fort is also known as Khilna fort or Khelna fort. It was one of most significant forts of the Maratha Empire during the reign of Chatarapati Shivaji Maharaj. TREK  route of Panhala Vishalgad trek is also popular among adventure lovers. Vishalgad is blessed with rich historical background and good places. Many adventure enthusiasts, history lovers & devotees visit here every year.

Shivaji Maharaj captured the this fort and included it in the Maratha empire in 1659. Vishalgad Fort was originally occupied by Adil Shahi Dynasty of Bijapur. Later Shivaji Maharaj and his army attacked on the fortr but they failed as it was well defended by the Adil Shahi garrison. Eventually Shivaji Maharaj again attacked the fort and became successful in capturing it. It was named as Vishalgad by the great Maratha emperor.

Vishalgad is located at a huge height of 1130 meters (3630 feet) from the sea level. The fort is situted on a mountain that divides the region into two parts called Amba Ghat and Anaskura ghat. Its position is on the boundary of Sahyadri Mountain range and the Konkan region. So because of the strategic position of the fort, it was a good spot to keep eyes on both regions.

Vishalgad Fort Dargah :

VISHALGAD fort was among the most prominent forts of Shivaji Maharaj. It was one of the important fort of Maratha Empire. Even today also, it is among the most popular forts in the Maharashtra. Vishalgad literally means Massive Fort . The name was given by Chhatripati Shivaji Maharaj after capturing it in 1659. This fort is also famous for an incident of Ghod Khind Battle.

History Of The Fort:

Vishalgad Fort was built in 1058 A.C. by the Shilahar king ‘Narsinha’ of the 11th century. Since then it was under the control of various rules like Yadav’s, Khilji, Vijaynagar, Bahamani, Adilshahi and then under Chhatripati Shivaji Maharaj-Maratha Empire.

In to this time period it was later seized by the rulers of Seuna Yadavas of Devagiriwho defeated the Shilaharas in 1209. King Ramchandra of the Seuna Yadavas was overpowered by Ala-ud-din Khilji in 1309 and the fortress was incorporated into the Khilji Dynasty. It became a part of the Bahmani Sultanate in August 1347 after Hasan Gangu Bahamani, the Mughal chief, became independent. It was also ruled by the Vijayanagar Empire from the year 1354 to 1433.

Earlier, Khelna (Vishalgad) fort was under the command of Sultan Adilshah of Bijapur. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was very instrected to capture this fort due to its rough terrain, strategic position & strong defensive NATURE . But these qualities were problems to Maratha army while attacking the Vishalgad fort but Maratha Army did attack on the fort bravely but the troops of Adilshah defended the fort fearlessly.

Then, Maratha army made a different plan. So as per the plan, a small troop of Maratha army went up to the fort. They convinced the Fort commander (Killedar) that they were not happy with the rule of Shivaji Maharaj so now they have a desire to serve the Sultan Adilshah.

Then they were given a permission to enter the fort. On next day, they made a riot inside the fort and caused total chaos inside the fort. At the same time, Shivaji Maharaj attacked the fort from outside. Due to this dual attack, Maratha army conquered the fort very easily. After then Shivaji Maharaj changed the name of the fort.

After the death of Shivaji Maharaj, it came under the command of Chhatrapati Sambhaji, the eldest son and successor of Shivaji Maharaj. During his reign, the structure was rebuilt and renovated. Vishalgad was assigned as the capital of almost 90 towns and villages in the districts of Ratnagiri and Kolhapur during the rule of the Maratha kings. The forces of the British East India Company destroyed the entire structure in the year 1844 after a mutiny by the commanding officers or Killedars of Vishalgad Fort.

GHOD KHIND BATTLE:

The battle of Ghod Khind was an important chapter in a life of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. When he escaped from the siege of Siddhi Jauhar to fort Panhala, he was about to get captured by the enemy in Ghodkhind (It is a narrow pass 15 kms before Vishalgad). At that time, Maratha commander-in-chief Bajiprabhu Deshpande requested the king to carry on to Vishalgad fort & give him a signal once he reaches safely on the fort. Then Bajiprabhu stood there like a wall to save his king, after promising to signal their safe arrival at the fort with the sound of cannon fire. Bajiprabhu Deshpande & his army fought brave hearty & defeated the enemy in the Ghod Khind. Many Maratha soldiers including Bajiprabhu Deshpande lost their life in this battle.

Important Places to see on Vishalgad Fort:

The main door of Vishalgad has disappeared with time. There is “Mundha Darwaja” to the right side. There are temples of Amruteshwar & Shri Narsinha. 

There is a Samadhi built in the memory of Bajiprabhu Deshpande & Phulaji Deshpande. In the monsoon, heavy rainfall gives rise to many splashing waterfalls in this region.

Vishalgad fort dargah of Hazrat Malik Rajhan at is visited by many pilgrims. It is built in the fort vicinity & thousands of devotees visit this dargah every year.

There is a lake named Bhupal lake,the bank of the lake has a temple  of Lord Shiva.

The temple of Narsoba, Maruti, Vaghjai , Takmak Tok and Sati’s Vrindavan are some of the other sites to explore on the fort.

The fort wall of Vishalgad is very unique. Wall has been constructed on each fort curve. You have to  cross the bridge on the valley to climb the fort.

VISHALGAD Trek :

Gajapur is the base village to the fort. A large number of trekkers & adventure seekers comes here to accomplish the Panhala Vishalgad Trek via Pavankhind with full of enthusiasm. Few adventure clubs also organize adventure activities like rock climbing & rappelling.

Best Time to Visit : All year round. You can visit Vishalgad fort & dargah at any time of the year. In monsoon season, one can see amazing lush green surroundings and waterfalls at the fort. Minimum 4 hours are required to see the fort surroundings properly.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:

• Pavankhind
• Jyotiba Temple
• Narsobachi Wadi
• Gokak Falls
• Barkhi Waterfall
• Vishalgad Fort Forest.

How to Reach Vishalgad Fort:

 Fort & dargah are well connected by public and private transport. You can reach here by buses, personal or hired vehicles. Buses regularly play from Kolhapur, Ratnagiri and Belgaon. The distance between Kolhapur and Vishalgad is about 81 kms.

• Via Road:

Kolhapur is well connected to all major cities in the Maharashtra state. Vishalgad is 76 kms away from Kolhapur so it is about 2 to 2.5 hours drive from Kolhapur city via Amba Ghat hill station. Once you reach Amba Ghat then ahead it is about 45-55 minutes drive. Good parking facilities are available at the fort.

• Via Nearest Rail Station:

Kolhapur is the nearest railway station to reach Vishalgad Fort & dargah. The distance between station & the vishalgad fort is 81 kms. This Kolhapur railway station is connected all major cities in the Maharashtra and other state.

• Via Air:

 Ratnagiri Airport is the nearest airport to the vishalgad fort. It is about 90 kms from the fort.

Where to Stay:

Many hotels, lodges & resorts are available at Kolhapur for accommodation purpose. You can also stay at Sanatorium on the top of the Vishalgad fort. It is a comfortable 1-day visit from the Kolhapur city. One can also stay at Amba Ghat.