Sinhgad Fort | ( किल्ले सिंहगड )

Sinhgad Fort ( किल्ले सिंहगड )Information

Name of the Fort : Sinhgad Fort

Type : Hill Fort

Height : 1,312 m (4,304 ft)

Materias : Stone , Lead

Open for Public : yes

Sinhagad, the literal translation of which would be The Lion’s Fort, it is just 30 kilometers southwest of the Pune city, Maharashtra state,India.

This is a popular trekking destination for the people of Pune as it is situated on a hill, at on an isolated cliff of the Bhuleswar range of the Sahyadri Mountains, 1,312 meters above sea level. Here most people are familiar with the fact that in Maharashtra state, India.

It is believed that Tanaji Malusare, a general in Shivaji's army sacrificed the wedding of his son to win the fort. This brave soldier was well supported by uncle Shelar Mama as well as Marathas.

History of the Sinhgad Fort :

As per the records, the fort was constructed approximately 1,500-2,000 years ago and it is said that the name Kondana was derived from the name of a monk called Kaundinya.

Sinhagad was a witness to the first invasion on Maharashtra in 1340 when Mohammed bin Tughalak attempted to capture the fort, which at that time was under the rule of Nag Naik, a tribal chieftain who fought courageously against the Turks for eight months before relinquishing possession.

The temple here and its carvings indicate that the fort is 2000 years old. It was captured by Muhammed bin Tughlaq in 1328 AD. Adil Shah gained the control of Kondhana in 1647. Agin in 1649, Adil Shah traded the fort for Shahaji’s release. Shivaji Maharaj recaptured the fort again in 1656, with the help of Bapuji Mudgal Deshpande. Through the ‘The treaty of Purandar’, the fort went under the control of Mughals. This fort has been switched to a lot of hands till Britishers conquered it in 1818 from the Marathas. The Britishers took three months to capture it which was the longest duration to win any fort in Maharashtra.

One of the most famous battles for Sinhgad was fought to recapture the fort by Tanaji Malusare a general of  Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in March 1670. A steep cliff leading to the fort was scaled with the help of a monitar lizad ( ghorpad ). Thereafter, there ensued fierce battles between Tanaji and his men, and the  Moghal killedar Udhaybhan Singh Rathod and his army. Tanaji lost his life, but his brother Suryaji took over and captured Kondana. The fort was one of the favourite forts of Jijabai ( mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ).

Upon hearing of Tanaji’s death (Tanaji was childhood friend of Shivaji Maharaj), Chhatrapati Shivaji  Maharaj expressed his remorse with the words: “ गड आला पण सिंह गेला ” – “We gained the fort, but lost the lion”.

In honor of Tanaji’s death, the fort was renamed as Sinhagad.

Important Places on Sinhagad Fort –

Below are the important places on Sinhagad that tourist must see during visit.

1. Khand kada

2. Pune Darwaja no. 1

3. Pune Darwaja no. 2

4. Pune Darwaja no. 3

5. Ghadpaga Tak

6. Ganesh Tak

7. Darukhana

8. Wada

9. Tilaka Bunglow

10. Devtake

11. Paga

12. Kalyan Darwaja no. 1

13. Kalyan Darwaja no. 2

14. Kalyan Darwaja no. 3

15. Zunjar Burunj

16. Udebhan thadage

17. Amruteshwar Bhairav temple

18. Tanaji Malusare Samadhi

19. Kondhaneshwar Temple

20. Rajaram Maharaj Samadhi

21. Kalavantin Burunj

22. Torna fort view

23. Khadakwasla dam view

24. Kadelot point

Best time to visit the Sinhagad fort:

Monsoon and winter season is best time to visit Sinhagad Fort.

Nearby Attractions :

• Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple
• PurandharFort Click to See
• Bhaja Caves
• Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum

Where to Stay?

At Donje village & Aatkar wadi Village there are number of hotels, resorts & farm houses to stay. You can choose any one for halt.

How to reach Sinhagad   Fort:

Tourists can take personal or rented vehicles from Pune to base village of the fort. 

 

• Via Air

The nearest airport is Pune from here you you can go by public transport or private vehicle.

• Via Rail

Pune railway station is the nearest rail head which is well connected by rail to all the major cities of the india.

• Via Road

Singhgad Fort is 30 kms from Pune City . Small vehicles can go upto the top of the fort. Buses can reach upto the foothill of the fort and then one has to climb the fort. It will takes about 2 hours to go the top.