Pratapgad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pratapgad |
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| Satara district, Maharashtra, India | |
View of one of the bastions of Pratapgad.
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 Pratapgad
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| Coordinates | 17°56′10″N 73°34′39″E / 17.936224°N 73.577607°E |
| Type | Hill Fort |
| Height | 3543 feet |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  Maratha (1656-1818) United Kingdom
 India (1947-present) |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1656 |
| Built by | Shivaji I architect =hiroji indulkar |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Pratapgad (1659) |
| Events | Chatrapati Shivaji killed Afzal Khan in battle of Pratapgad (1659) |
Pratapgad is an important mountain fort located in the Satara district of Maharashtra, a state in Western India. This historic fort is about 24 kilometres from the popular Mahabaleshwar hill station. Today, Pratapgad is a favorite spot for tourists and history lovers.
The fort is famous for the Battle of Pratapgad, which happened here on November 10, 1659. This battle was fought between Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan, a general from the Bijapur Sultanate.
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History of Pratapgad Fort
The great Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, ordered this fort to be built. He asked his prime minister, Moropant Trimbak Pingle, to oversee its construction. The main goal was to protect the areas near the Nira and Koyna rivers. It also helped guard the important Par pass. The fort was finished in 1656.
The Battle of Pratapgad
The famous Battle of Pratapgad took place near the fort's walls on November 10, 1659. In this battle, Shivaji and his army faced Afzal Khan, a powerful general of the Adil Shahi dynasty. This battle was a huge test for Shivaji's new kingdom. Winning it helped set the stage for the strong Maratha Empire to grow.
Later Events at the Fort
Pratapgad Fort continued to be important in the region's politics. For example, in 1778, Sakharam Bapu Bokil, a well-known minister from Pune, was held captive here by his rival, Nana Phadnis. He was later moved to other forts. In 1796, Nana Phadnis gathered a strong army at Pratapgad. This happened while he was trying to escape from Daulatrao Shinde. Finally, in 1818, during the Third Anglo-Maratha War, Pratapgad was given to the East India Company.
Geography of Pratapgad
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Pratapgad Fort is located about 15 kilometres from Poladpur. It is also 23 kilometres west of Mahabaleshwar, a popular hill station in Maharashtra. The fort stands very high, about 1080 metres (3543 feet) above sea level. It is built on a hill that looks over the road between the villages of Par and Kinesvar.
Inside the fort, there is a Tulja Bhawani temple. This temple was built during Chhatrapati Shivaji's time. It has a statue of the goddess Bhawani with eight hands (called Ashtbhuja in Marathi). You can also see old weapons used by soldiers displayed near this temple.
Visiting Pratapgad
Many people visit Pratapgad as a day trip from Mahabaleshwar. Mahabaleshwar is a popular tourist spot about 25 kilometres away. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation offers regular bus services to the fort.
At the fort, you can find small shops and restaurants. There is also a place to buy local handicrafts. Many schools arrange educational trips here for students. The fort is also a part of several trekking routes in the area, which is great for adventurers.
Shivaji Statue
The fort has a large bronze statue of Shivaji on horseback. This impressive statue was officially revealed by Jawaharlal Nehru, who was the first Prime Minister of India. The ceremony took place on November 30, 1957. In the same year, a road was built to the fort from Kumbhrosi village. A guest house and a small park were also added inside the fort in 1960 for visitors.
See also
- List of forts in Maharashtra
