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Sinhagad -- where valour is etched on every stone
and the soil has turned red seeped by the blood of martyrs! From the time when a Koli chieftain, Nag Naik stoutly defended
this fort (AD 1328) against the might of the Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq for nine months to Jaswant Singh, Aurangzeb's commander,
who dragged his guns up the fort's steep shoulders to avenge the insult to Shaista Khan, who was rebuffed by Shivaji, this
fort has been infused by tales of bravery. It was here that Shivaji's general, Tanaji Malusare launched an attack to recapture
the fort. In the ensuing battle, Tanaji valiantly laid down his life, but captured the fort. A grieving Shivaji is known to
have said,"Gad ala pan sinh gela" (The fort is won but the lion
has gone). And this is how the fort got its name: sinh (lion's) gad (fort).
Lokmanya Tilak, the freedom fighter had a bungalow atop here and Gandhiji is said to have asked for water from
Sinhagad, whenever he was imprisoned at Pune, a few kilometres away. You can visit the memorial to Tanaji, or the tomb of
Rajaram -- Shivaji's son -- who died here. And if you are fortunate, you may find a priceless jewel or an ancient coin as
Sinhgad used to serve as a storehouse of wealth for Pune merchants. |
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Getting
there: |
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The fort can be scaled from its many approaches. You can
trek from Donaje upto the top. Donaje can be reached conveniently by bus from Pune, 25 kms away. Another shorter and less
steep climb is from Kalyan village past the Kalyan Darwaza.
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Once naval bases, Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg bear testimony to Maharashtra's martial supremacy during Shivaji's reign. Vijaydurg or Victory
Fort was strengthened around the seventeenth century by Shivaji, to whom it owes its finest features -- the triple line of
walls, the numerous towers and the massive interior buildings. Once seized by the British and renamed Fort Augustus, Sindhudurg or the Ocean Fort at Malvan port has history etched all over.
Constructed by Shivaji in 1664, at a site personally selected by him.
The construction of a sea fort is a stupendous task, and at Sindhudurg no efforts were spared. Over 2000 khandis (4000 mounds)
of iron were used for casting and the foundation stones were laid down firmly in lead.
Even today, as one approaches
the fort past a rocky reef, navigable through a narrow channel, one marvels at the transportation of such heavy material through
such choppy waters. Within its precincts are temples holding the shrines of Maruti, Bhavani, Mahadeo, Jarimai, Mahapurush
and also of Shivaji -- the only such shrine in the country. As for Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg beaches, they offer the visitor
one of the most serene and beautiful coastal views in India. |
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Getting
there: |
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Rajapur and Kudal respectively are the nearest railheads on the Konkan Railway.
Sindhudurg by road is 510 kms and Vijaydurg is 425 kms
from Mumbai via the Goa
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joginder_prasad@yahoo.co.in
GREAT FORTS OF MAHARASHTRA
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