Sinhagad Fort History & Trek Information.

Lion Fort, Sinhagad Fort, is a famous historical site in Pune. It was formerly known as Kondana and is believed to have been built about 2000 years ago. Sinhagad is a mountain fortress located approximately 36 miles [36 km] southwest of the city of Pune, India. The caves and statues of the Kaundinyeshwar temple testify to that fact.

The Castle makes the attraction of the Sahyadri Mountains and serves as a popular tourist destination in Pune. Other attractions you can see inside the Tanaji monument are the Rajaram Chhatrapati tomb, the Kali temple, the military stables, and the brewery.

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Sinhagad Fort history & trek information.

Sinhagad Fortress occupies a pivotal place in the history of Pune. Previously as Kondhana, the FortFort had been the site of numerous battles, most notably the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670. Nestled on an isolated cliff of Blesleswar in the Sahyadri Mountains, the Castle is situated on a hill almost 760 feet above sea level and 1,312 feet above sea level. Proud of a strategic environment and protected by natural boundaries.

Sinhagad (Lioness) has been carefully designed to provide natural protection because of its steep slopes. Walls and metal were built only in essential areas. There are 2 gates to the FortFort, the Kalyan Darwaza and the Pune Darwaza, located south-east and northeast. The forefront was conveniently located in the center of many other Maratha fortresses captured, such as Rajgad Fort, Purandar Fort, and Torna Fort.

Sinhagad Fort history & trek information.

Sinhgad fort History:

Sinhgad Fort was known as “Kondhana” after the wise Kaundinya. The Kaundinyeshwar Temple, with its many cafes and statues, shows that the fortress was probably built about two thousand years ago. Muhammad bin Tughlaq took it to the king of Koli nag naik in 1328 AD.

Shahaji Bhosale, as manager of Ibrahim Adil Shah I, was given the reins of control of the Pune region. His son, Shivaji, refused to accept Adilshahi and began work to establish Sarajya. Shivaji gained Kondana’s regime in 1647 by convincing Siddi Amber, Adilshahi Sardar. She was in charge of the FortFort, and he, the son of Shakaji Bhosale, could handle the fortress’s defense properly.

Bapuji Mudgal Deshpande played a significant role in this work. Adil Shah arrested Siddi Amber for sedition and planned to retaliate. He arrested Shahaji Bhosale on suspicion of conspiracy and informed Shivaji. In 1649, Adil Shah traded the fortress for the release of Shahaji. Shivaji Maharaj recaptured it in 1656 with the help of Bapuji Mudgal Deshpande, who convinced the Fort emperor by giving him land in the newly built Shivapur valley and peacefully ruled the fortress.

The forefront saw the Mughal invasion in 1662, 1663, and 1665. In 1664, “Shahistekhan,” a wittyMughal general, tried to bribe the people of the FortFort to give it to him, but to no avail. By the Treaty of Purandar, the fortress passed into the hands of Mughal army chief “Mirzaraje Jaysingh” in 1665.

In 1670, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj conquered FortFort a third time, and the fortress remained under Maratha’s rule until 1689 AD. After Sambhaji’s death, the Mughals re-took control of the FortFort. Marathas, led by the “Sardar Balkawade,” was recaptured in 1693. Chatrapati Rajaram took refuge in FortFort during the Mogul invasion of Sarara but died at Sinhagad Fort on March 3, 1700 A.D.

In 1703, Aurangzeb conquered FortFort. In 1706, it again fell into the hands of Martha. Panaji Shivdev of Sangola, Visaji Chafar and Pant Pratinidhis played a key role in the war. FortFort remained under Martha’s control until 1818, after which the British defeated it. The British, however, took three months to take over the FortFort, which took too long to conquer any fortress in Maharashtra.

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Sinhgad Fort trek Vlog | Kondhana | किल्ले सिंहगड | Information & History | Bhatkanti travel vlogs

History of Battle of Sinhagad: –

Pune watercolor painting dates back to the Pesha period by Henry Salt’s British artist. The photo clearly shows Sinhagad’s tower in the background.

One of the most famous battles in Shingad was fought by Tanaji Malusare, a Chhatrapati Shivaji general of the Maratha Empire, who retaliated in March 1670.

The cliff that leads to the FortFort was made at night with the help of a vigilant lizard called “Yashwant,” better known as ghorpad. After that, a fierce battle broke out between Tanaji and his men against the Mughal army led by “Udaybhan Singh Rathod,” with Rajput Sardar in charge of the FortFort. Tanaji Malusare lost his life; later, his brother “Suryaji” took over the reins of Kondana castle, now known as Sinhagad.

There is a mysterious anecdote that upon hearing of Tanaji’s death, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj expressed his regret, “Gad aala, pan Sinha gela” – “The castle has been conquered, but the Lion is lost.”

According to some, the word sinhagad preceded the incident. Tanaji Malusare appeared in the Castle in memory of his role in the war.

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Additional accommodation in Fort:
Although the ruins are not very well preserved. Few places offer spectacular views and stunning airflow. The Castle has a monument to Tanaji and the tomb of Rajaram Chhatrapati. Visitors can see the battlefields, the bar and the temple of the goddess Kali (goddess), the statue of Hanuman on the right side of the temple, and the gates of history.

How to Reach?

It is about 30 miles from the central city. It has both a pedestrian trail and a car trail.
Distance (From Pune train station): 32 Kms
Visited From: Pune Railway Station
Transportation Options: Bus / C elevator / + Walk / Trek

Best time to visit Sinhgad fort.

From the top of the Castle, one can enjoy a magnificent view of the mountain valley. The forefront also stays as a training center for the National Defense Academy in Khadakwasla. One can see the dams of Panshet, Khadakwasla, Varasgaon, and the tower of Torana. The best time to visit the Fort is monsoon times.

The winter and rainy months from July to February are the most popular time to visit the Castle.
This FortFort, as it stands amidst the churned-out green fields spaced across the terrains located within the territory, is a place to sit and ponder over our beautiful experiences and beautiful things we can do while munching the local food available at the area where you are visiting the Fort.

Sinhagad Fort history & trek information.