GiripremiGiripremiWe are thrilled about the recent news of 12 forts in India being nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage List. These Maratha military landscapes are a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of India. Our 2025 calendar will celebrate these magnificent forts and other historical sites, highlighting the bravery and strategic brilliance of the Maratha warriors.
Raigad fort was originally constructed during the satavahana era. Historically it served as a military post, due to its strategic location. References to this fort date back to the 14th century, when the Bahmani emperor won over this fort. After the disintegration of the Bahmani kingdom, this fort was controlled by the Nizamshahi. After the end of Nizam Shahi in 1636 CE the fort came under the rule of Adil Shahi. It was during this time that the responsibility of the fort was transferred to More lineage, who were the Adilshahi Sardar. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj conquered Raigad fort in 1656 CE and further appointed Hiroji Indulkar, under whose supervision the Raigad Fort was reconstructed.
Indigenous materials and techniques have been used to perfection for the construction of Raigad Fort. Huge lakes have been created for the storage of water on the fort. The stones that have been retrieved through the digging have been used in the construction of the Fort. Raigad has very steep slopes on all sides. From the point of view of security, the slopes were fortified at places at the vulnerable sections. Thus, to make Raigad Fort more secure, four buruj (bastion), namely Mahadarwaja, Wagh Darwaja, Bhavani Tok and Hirkani Tok have been strategically constructed.
The structure of the buildings such as the Maharaja’s palace, the Queen’s palace, the ministers’ residences, and the royal court is designed in a very simple yet sturdy manner. The royal court is so simple that it doesn’t even have a roof. During court proceedings, a temporary pavilion was set up. Although Raigad was the capital fort, its design reflects military architecture, indicating it was meant to be prepared for war.
Raigad stands as a silent witness to two significant events in the history of the Maratha Empire: the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on June 6, 1674, and the demise of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on April 3, 1680. After the Maharaj’s death, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj continued the administration of the Maratha empire from Raigad Fort. After Sambhaji Maharaj’s reign, in 1689, the Mughals captured the fort. In 1733, the Marathas regained control of Raigad. However, like all other forts, the British captured Raigad in 1818 after bombarding it with cannons.
The original name of Rajgad was Murumbdev. In 1645, Shivaji Maharaj, after observing the mesmerizing structure of this hill, used the treasure found at Torna Fort and commissioned Moropant Pingale to build Rajgad as per Maharaj’s vision. From 1650 to 1669, Shivaji Maharaj resided at this fort. Rajgad witnessed many significant events during the life span of Shivaji Maharaj. After the death of Rajaram Maharaj, on February 16, 1704, Aurangzeb annexed this fort from the Marathas. However, the Marathas quickly regained it. Later, around 1818, the British took control of Rajgad along with other Maratha forts.
Just as a warrior wears armor to protect himself, the fort of Rajgad has a distinctive design with double walls and bastions to protect its outer surface from enemy attacks. The fortifications of Rajgad, particularly on the Sanjivani and Suvela Machis, exhibit exceptional military architectural features. On the Sanjivani Machi, two parallel walls 20 feet high are constructed with a gap of 2-3 feet between them. Additionally, there is an underground passage from the outer bastions to access the fort.
The slopes of the hill connecting the machis are secured with horizontal fortifications, and the Dindi gate is designed to make the three machis independent and protected. A narrow path through the vertical rock face leads to the upper fort, and the final section of the path is made more difficult with small steps and cavities in the rock. The main gate of the upper fort, or Bale Killa, is located on a steep cliff, and it is made impregnable with two strong bastions on either side.
Rajgad was the first fort built according to Shivaji Maharaj’s vision. Known as the “fort with Chilkhati (double-walled) construction,” Rajgad played a crucial role as the first capital of the Maratha Empire during the formative and unstable years of the establishment of the Hindu Swarajya.
In Lucerne, Europe, there was an exhibition of replicas of the world’s unique forts, and Rajgad was the only Indian fort to be included, a remarkable honor for this military masterpiece!
Lohgad Fort is believed to have been constructed during the Satavahana period or possibly even earlier. In 1491, Malik Ahmad, the founder of the Nizamshahi dynasty, captured the fort. After the decline of the Nizamshahi in 1636, the fort came under the control of the Adilshahi regime. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj seized Lohgad in 1657, but as part of the treaty with the Mughals in 1665, he had to relinquish it. However, in a bold move on May 13, 1670, Shivaji Maharaj recaptured the fort by scaling its walls and brought it back into Swarajya. In 1818, like many other forts, Lohgad was annexed into British control.
Lohgad’s architectural design seamlessly integrates natural topography with human ingenuity, making it a masterclass in medieval fort construction. Its unique entrance planning and the Vinchu Kata remain some of the finest examples of defensive architecture in India.
The construction of Shivneri Fort is believed to have begun during the Satavahana period. After the Satavahanas, the fort came under the control of the Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. Between 1170 and 1308, Shivneri was ruled by the Yadava dynasty. In 1443, a Bahamani commander captured the fort. In 1630, the fort was under the command of Adilshahi commander Vijayrao Sidhji Vishwasrao. During this time, Shahaji Maharaj (father of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) was facing challenges, and so he brought his pregnant wife, Jijabai, to Shivneri for safety. It was here, on February 19, 1630, that Shivaji Maharaj was born.
In 1650, Mahadev Koli warriors from Maval revolted against the Mughal rule, but they were unable to withstand the powerful Mughal forces. Approximately 1,500 of these warriors were captured and executed by the Mughals at the top of Shivneri, where their heads were severed. Shivaji Maharaj attempted to capture Shivneri and bring it under Swarajya in 1673 and 1678, but was unsuccessful. Later, in 1716, Shahu Maharaj regained control of Shivneri from the Mughals. Finally, in 1818, the fort was transferred from the Marathas to the British.
At the upper level of Shivneri Fort, there is a two-story structure known as Shiv Janm Sthan (the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj). The lower room of this structure is where Shivaji Maharaj was born.
The fort has a unique entrance with a series of seven gates designed to make it more difficult for attackers to access the fort. The entrance is essentially a breach in the fortifications, and securing it was a major challenge for medieval military architects. This distinct design was likely created to enhance the fort’s defense.
In 1673, Dr. John Fryer, an employee of the East India Company, visited Shivneri and mentioned in his travel account that “there is enough provision here to feed a thousand families for seven years.” This statement reflects the fort’s capacity for storage and its ability to withstand a siege, showcasing the foresight and strategic planning behind its design and its hidden defensive potential.
Between 1310 and 1638, the Bagul dynasty of Rathores ruled Baglan, with Salher Fort under their control and Mulher Fort serving as their capital. The Mughals eventually took over Baglan from the Rathore rulers. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, during his January 1664 and October 1670 raids on Surat, passed through routes in Baglan, which was under Mughal control during both instances.
The Maratha forces not only broke the siege but also launched an attack on Mulher, capturing it in February 1672. This victory brought the entire Baglan region, including Salher, Mulher, and surrounding areas in the Satmala and Trimbak ranges, under Maratha control.
The Battle of Salher was a turning point in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s military tactics. Departing from the traditional guerrilla warfare (Ganimi Kava), the Marathas engaged the enemy in an open-field battle during daylight. This marked one of the rare occasions when the Maratha army demonstrated its ability to triumph in conventional warfare against a much larger Mughal force.
The victory at Salher significantly enhanced Maratha dominance in the region, with the strategic capture of forts and control over Baglan. It demonstrated the growing military might of Shivaji Maharaj’s Swarajya and set the stage for further territorial expansion.
The construction of Vijaydurga Fort dates back to the Shilahara dynasty. Over time, the fort came under the control of the Bahmani and Adilshahi regimes. In 1661, Shivaji Maharaj captured Vijaydurga, expanded its fortifications, and strengthened it significantly.
During the time of Kanhoji Angre, the fort gained immense importance in the Maratha navy. A highly secure dockyard was built about 3 to 3.5 kilometers away from Vijaydurga in the Waghotan Creek. This massive dockyard, measuring 355 x 247 feet, was used for repairing old ships and constructing new ones.
After Kanhoji, Tulaji Angre became the chief admiral (Sarkhel). However, conflicts arose between him and the Peshwas. In 1756, with the assistance of the British, the Peshwas defeated Tulaji Angre. As compensation, the British retained Vijaydurga along with Bankot. Two years later, they handed the fort back to the Peshwas. However, due to the declining state of the Peshwa regime, they could not maintain control over it for long.
During the interim period, the Dhulup family also held sway over the fort for some time. Eventually, in 1818, like most other forts, Vijaydurga fell under British control.
The entire construction of the Sindhudurg Fort was carried out under the supervision of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In 1657, with the aim of establishing dominance along the Konkan coast, Maharaj began building a naval force. At the time, the western coastline was heavily influenced by the fleets of the Siddis, the Dutch, the British, and the Portuguese. To counter them, it was essential to not only establish a navy but also create fortified sea forts. Sindhudurg was built as a part of this initiative.
Shivaji Maharaj identified the Kurte Island, located off the Malvan coast, as a suitable site for constructing a strong fort. On November 25, 1664, the foundation stone was ceremoniously laid, and construction began. The stone used during this ceremony, known as Morya Dhond, can still be seen on the Malvan shore.
The treasure brought from Surat in 1664 was instrumental in funding the construction. To prevent any interruptions from enemies during the building process, a force of 5,000 Mavlas (soldiers) was stationed in Malvan. During the construction phase, Maharaj tested the strength of his navy by launching a sea attack on the prosperous city of Basrur in Karnataka.
In 1665, Shivaji Maharaj was placed under house arrest in Agra. Despite his absence, the construction of Sindhudurg continued under the supervision of Govind Vishwanath Prabhu. A workforce of 500 stone masons, 200 blacksmiths, 100 skilled Portuguese craftsmen from Goa, and 3,000 laborers worked tirelessly for three years to complete the fort in March 1667.
An innovative technique was used to ensure the durability of the fort’s foundation stones against the saline sea water—lead was poured into the joints of the stones. The construction cost approximately one crore hons (an ancient currency). Once the fort was completed, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj personally inspected it.
The historian Chitragupta Bakhar described Sindhudurg as:
“This fort stands among 84 ports as the indomitable Janjira, a ‘Shiva Lanka’ on the chest of 18 enemy fleets, an invincible stronghold.”
The construction of Sindhudurg remains a significant achievement in the history of medieval military architecture.
Ananta Kon of Kon royal dynasty, built the Gingee Fort around 1190 CE. Later, in the 13th century, Krishna Kon further fortified the fort. In the following centuries, the Chola and Vijayanagara Empire rulers strengthened the fort. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Gingee Nayaks rose to prominence. In 1677, under the leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Marathas captured the fort from the Sultan of Bijapur. Afterward, the king constructed new fortifications, dug trenches, erected towers, and built bastions.
In 1689, after the assassination of Sambhaji Maharaj, the fort of Raigad was lost. At that time, Rajaram Maharaj managed to escape through the Tiger Gate of Raigad and made his way directly to Gingee. He made Gingee his capital and ruled from there. In 1691, the Mughals laid siege to the fort, but they were unsuccessful in capturing it. Over the next seven years, the Mughals made several attempts to seize the fort. Finally, in 1698, the Mughals succeeded in capturing Gingee Fort from the Marathas. However, by then, Rajaram Maharaj had already escaped the fort and reached Panhala. Later, in the 18th century, the fort was transferred to the Nawabs of Karnataka, then to the French, and finally, in 1761, it came under British control.
The Gingee Fort complex includes forts on four hills: Rajgiri, Krishnagiri, Chandragiri, and Chakkilidurg. Each of these forts has its own independent and self-sufficient citadel. The fortifications of the Gingee Fort complex stretch over 13 kilometers. Together, the four hills cover an area of about 11 square kilometers.
The main fort, Rajgiri, has a citadel located about 800 feet above sea level. One has to cross seven gates to reach the citadel. On the slopes of the citadel hill, large piles of rocky boulders can be seen. Climbing these rocks to reach the fort is extremely difficult. These rocks were skillfully used to further fortify and strengthen the fort. The unique use of natural formations in the fort’s architecture is particularly distinctive.
Panhala Fort is believed to have been built during the Satavahana period. This theory is supported by the nearby Pandavdara and Kohale caves. Over the centuries, the fort was ruled by several dynasties, including the Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Shilaharas, and Yadavas. Its current structure was shaped by Bhoja II (1178–1209 CE). Originally known as Brahmagiri, the name Panhala was given by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
During the reign of the Bijapur Adilshaha, Panhala served as their western capital. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort in 1659, but it was soon recaptured by the Bijapur forces. Following Afzal Khan’s defeat, Shivaji’s swift military campaign brought Panhala back into the Maratha Empire in 1660. In 1701, the Mughals seized the fort, but it was reclaimed by the Marathas in 1707. Between 1710 and 1772, Panhala served as the capital of the Kolhapur princely state. In 1844, the British took control of the fort.
Panhala Fort stands as a testament to its strategic importance and the engineering ingenuity of the time, enduring centuries of conflict and harsh conditions.
One of the most important forts built during Shivaji Maharaj’s reign was Pratapgad. After capturing Javali in January 1656, the hill of Bhorya in Javali caught the attention of the Maharaj. Considering its strategic location on the route connecting Konkan and Wai, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj decided to build a fort at this site. Under the supervision of Moropant, Heroji Indulkar completed the construction of Pratapgad in two years.
Pratapgad is surrounded by fortifications on all four sides, with some sections featuring unique double fortifications. To the west and north of the fort, there are vertical rock cliffs that rise 700-800 feet, which further strengthened the fort’s defenses. The east and south sides are protected by 30-40 feet high walls and bastions. At the highest point of the fort stands the Bale Killa, which is made impregnable with its walls and bastions.
At the fort, there is a temple dedicated to Maharaj’s family deity, Bhavani Mata. While the temple’s structure is simple, it holds historical significance.
In 1659, to curb Shivaji Maharaj’s expanding influence, the Adilshahi ruler sent Afzal Khan to deal with him. However, Shivaji Maharaj, displaying political shrewdness, invited Afzal Khan to meet him at Pratapgad. On November 10, 1659, during the meeting, Afzal Khan attempted to assassinate Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In self-defense, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj killed Afzal Khan and also defeated his army, completely dismantling it.
In 1818, like all other forts, Pratapgad was taken over by the British.
Near the village of Thal, close to Alibaug, there are two islands named Underi and Khanderi. On Khanderi Island, Shivaji Maharaj began constructing a sea fort in 1672. By then, the British had already established a stronghold on the island of Mumbai. Recognizing the potential threat posed by the fort to their dominance, the British prepared to vehemently oppose its construction. Faced with their resistance, the Marathas temporarily stepped back.
However, in 1679, Shivaji Maharaj resumed his efforts, fully prepared, and successfully seized control of Khanderi. Construction of the fort commenced immediately. Once again, the British opposed this development, but the Marathas stood firm and retaliated by launching an all-out attack on the British fleet. In this naval battle, the British were forced to retreat, and the Marathas captured one of their ships.
At the same time, the Abyssinian ruler of Janjira, Siddi Qasim, also resisted Shivaji Maharaj’s dominance. Between 1679 and 1680, while attempting to attack Khanderi, he instead captured the nearby Underi Island and constructed a fort there. Despite repeated attempts, the Marathas were unable to reclaim Underi. Eventually, in 1760, the Peshwas succeeded in capturing it.
Despite opposition from both the British and the Siddis, Shivaji Maharaj successfully completed the construction of Khanderi Fort. Interestingly, due to the likely constraints of time during its construction, the fortifications of Khanderi do not appear to use lime or similar materials to bond the stones. Instead, stone wedges were utilized to fill the gaps and secure the structure. This remarkable technique, combined with exceptional architectural planning, resulted in the fort’s fortifications and bastions withstanding the harsh maritime climate for over 350 years.
The Suvarnadurg Fort near Harnai is believed by some to have been constructed during the Shilahara period, while others suggest that Adil Shah may have built it in the 16th century. Around 1660, Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort and integrated it into the Maratha kingdom. Following this, Maharaj undertook extensive repairs, strengthening the fort and establishing a naval base there.
Kanhoji Angre later expanded the naval fleet founded by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, asserting Maratha dominance along the western coastline. After Kanhoji’s death in 1729, Tulaji Angre further enhanced the strength of the fleet. However, when Tulaji defied the Peshwas, they allied with the disciplined British forces in 1755 to defeat him and take control of all forts under his command.
As part of the subsequent agreement, the trade-minded British retained the Bankot Fort for themselves while returning Suvarnadurg to the Peshwas. In 1802, Bajirao II sought refuge in this fort. Eventually, like many others, Suvarnadurg fell to the British in 1818.