Raigad : The Royal Fort

Its History And Significance

Europeans called Raigad Fort the Gibraltar of the East because of its size and difficulty of access. This fort was the capital of the Maratha Empire. The name “Raigad” means Royal Fort. The fort was given this name by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had won the fort during this battle with Chandra Rao More, a feudal lord. The fort was made the capital of the Maratha Empire in 1662. The fort’s huge size, its steep slopes, and the easy communication with the mainland and sea gave it huge strategic importance The fort’s vast size, steep slopes, and easy communication with the mainland and sea gave it great strategic importance.

The Governor of Kalyana Abaji Sondev, and the architect Hiroji Indulkar added royal and public buildings inside the fort. The fort was designed to be impregnable to enemies while being easily accessible to family and friends. It contained 300 stone houses, mansions, a palace, a mint, offices, and a garrison that could accommodate 2,000 men. The Raigad Fort had a mile-long marketplace, fortifications, reservoirs, gardens, and pathways.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: The Builder with a Clear Vision Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was also a visionary in the areas of fortification and government. Raigad’s natural defense, as it sat at 2,700 feet in the Sahyadri mountains, was the main factor in his decision to make Raigad his capital. Raigad was supposed to serve as the hub of Shivaji’s expanding dominion, not just a fort. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s architectural orders were centered on the projected grandeur of a royal city and practical defense. Within the fort, he oversaw the construction of numerous palaces, offices, assembly rooms, and marketplaces. Additionally, he concentrated on building the Takmak Tok, a cliffside watchtower used for surveillance, and the Maha Darwaja, the fort’s enormous entry gate.

Architecture:

Hiroji Indulkar: The Architect of Raigad
Shivaji Maharaj was the mastermind for the fort’s enlargement, although Hiroji Indulkar, his trusted architect, actually completed the fortification and architectural work. Raigad Fort’s main buildings were designed by Indulkar, who also oversaw their construction. Raigad became a well-planned royal city under his direction, complete with a court, king and queen’s palaces, and an advanced water system that included tanks and reservoirs to provide a steady supply of water even during sieges. The way the fort was constructed, with its effective drainage systems, defense mechanisms, and dwelling quarters, all intended to support the king’s court and a sizable population, demonstrated Hiroji Indulkar’s architectural prowess.

The Raigad Construction Legacy:
Raigad Fort became one of the most famous and unbreakable forts in Indian history when it was built under Hiroji Indulkar’s direction and Shivaji Maharaj’s vision. In addition to serving as the seat of the Maratha Empire, it represented Shivaji’s vision of Hindavi Swarajya or Hindu self-rule. Shivaji’s leadership and Indulkar’s architectural skill are brilliantly displayed in the fort’s fusion of military architecture and regal beauty. The fort’s remnants still survive today as a reminder of this great builder-king and his brilliant architect. Raigad Fort is renowned for its remarkable architectural works, with the Maha Darwaja, Takmak Tok, Bazar Peth, Hirkani Buruj, and Jagdishwar Temple being some of its most notable constructions. The combination of the fort’s military might, regal lifestyle and religious devotion is reflected in these landmarks.

Landmarks:-

A thorough description of each of these aspects may be found below:

• Maha Darwaja (Main Gate):-
• Takmak Tok (Point of Execution):–
• Bazar Peth (Market Area):–
• Hirkani Buruj:–
• The Jagdishwar Temple–
  
  
  
  

Maha Darwaja (Main Gate):

Raigad Fort’s main entrance gate, the Maha Darwaja, is well-known for its enormous size and clever construction. This gate is a strong defensive building since it is located at the end of a narrow, steep pathway. The gate leads into a small valley encircled by tall walls, therefore it was built so that attackers arriving would be open to attack from above.
Architectural Features: To keep elephants from rushing and breaching, the gate’s doors are strengthened with iron spikes, and it is surrounded by enormous bastions on both sides. The size of the gate represents the Maratha Empire’s majesty and strength.
Purpose: The Maha Darwaja was built as a well-defended entryway with the intention of preventing enemy incursions into the fort. Raigad was virtually impregnable because it was one of the main defense lines.

Takmak Tok (Point of Execution):

Takmak Tok, a cliff located on Raigad Fort’s western flank, is well-known for its abrupt, 1,200-foot descent into the valley below. When Shivaji Maharaj was in power, this cliff was used as a place of execution. Historical Significance: The administration’s severe attitude to justice was symbolized by the throwing of criminals and traitors from this cliff as a form of punishment. There was no chance of survival from the fall thanks to the drop.
View and Significance: Takmak Tok is known for its breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, albeit with its somber past. The cliff was also used as a lookout post to detect movements of the enemy from a distance.

Bazar Peth (Market Area):
Raigad Fort’s Bazar Peth served as the locals’ marketplace where products were exchanged. It served as the fort’s commercial center and was built to meet the troops’ and citizens’ everyday requirements.
The market area was designed with a large thoroughfare on one side and shops and stalls on the other. Even though the path is in ruins now, remnants of its previous activity may still be seen. It is thought that traders and merchants would come together to trade things including clothing, food, weaponry, and spices from all over the region. Significance: Raigad Fort’s independence is emphasized by the Bazar Peth.

Hirkani Buruj:
A brave woman from a nearby village named Hirkani inspired the name of her bastion, the Hirkani Buruj. The story goes that, despite the fort’s gates being locked for the evening, Hirkani climbed its steep walls after dusk to get to her baby.
Protecting the western side of the fort, this bastion functioned as a defensive tower. This portion of the fort’s defenses was naturally protected from assailants by its extremely steep walls. Legendary Importance: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gave the order to build the Hirkani Buruj in remembrance of Hirkani’s valor. It began to represent bravery and Shivaji Maharaj’s people’s unbreakable kinship.

The Jagdishwar Temple:

With a dedication to Lord Shiva, the Jagdishwar Temple is a Hindu temple situated inside Raigad Fort. This temple was built by the devoted Hindu devotee Shivaji Maharaj for his own personal worship as well as the religious needs of the occupants of the fort.
Structure:- The temple follows typical Maratha temple architecture, with a square sanctum and a pyramidal spire (Shikhara). It has a modest design but carries a deep spiritual significance for those who visit. There is a Nandi (the bull, which is Lord Shiva’s vehicle) placed in front of the temple, as is traditional in Shiva temples.

Shivaji Maharaj Devotion:- This temple honors the religious convictions of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who was well-known for his devotion to Lord Shiva. Even now, a lot of people still visit the temple to pay their respects, especially after seeing the neighboring Shivaji Maharaj Samadhi (monument).
Significance:- Shivaji Maharaj struck a balance between his responsibilities as a warrior-king and his religious devotion, which is exemplified by the Jagdishwar Temple.

Accessibility for Raigad Fort:

1. By road:-

Raigad Fort’s road distance is approximately 170 km from Mumbai, 130 km from Pune, and 70 km from the closest town, Mahad. The route to the fort is a narrow road that leads to Pachad village, which is reached after reaching Mahad via the Pune-Bangalore Highway (NH48) and the Mumbai-Goa Highway (NH66) from Mumbai. The journey takes approximately 4-5 hours from Mumbai and 3–4 hours from Pune.

2. By Bus:-

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses operate from Mumbai, Pune, and Mahad to Pachad, the base village of Raigad Fort. From Mahad, you can also hire a taxi or utilize local transportation.

3. By Train Nearest train Station:-

Veer Railway Station, which is roughly 40 km distant, is the train station that is closest to Raigad Fort. You can take local transportation or hire a cab to get to the fort’s base from there.

4. Hiking to Raigad Fort Steps:-

An average hiker has to spend 1.5 to 2 hours ascending the fort’s 1,737 steps. This route provides an up-close view of the historic buildings and surrounding landscape of the fort. Trekking: Moderate to Challenging. Because of the high ascent, it is not advised for those with health concerns or mobility impairments.

5. By Ropeway:-
Ropeway Facility:

From the base in Pachad village, tourists can take a ropeway that leads directly to the top of the fort, saving them the trouble of trekking. Older adults, kids, and individuals with physical disabilities can now visit the fort with ease thanks to the ropeway, which drastically cuts down on time and effort.

Travel Time by Ropeway: The trip to the summit takes four to five minutes.

6. Fort Food and Water Facilities:-

Basic food and drinking water can be found at a few tiny eateries close to the base village and the ropeway station.
Accommodations: Pachad town and Mahad offer lodging; the fort itself does not have any motels.

7. Best Option for the Elderly/Disabled:-

For those unable to ascend the stairs, the ropeway is the most practical and accessible option.

Raigad Fort has a rich history and is one of the best places to visit in Maharashtra. You will surely have a great weekend getaway in Maharashtra. Read our blog to learn more about the various getaways near Mumbai and Pune.