Overview
Rajgad (literal meaning the Ruling Fort) is a Hill fort situated in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India. Formerly known as Murumdev, the fort was the first capital of the Maratha Empire under the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for almost 26 years, after which the capital was moved to the Raigad Fort. Treasures discovered from an adjacent fort called Torna were used to completely build and fortify the Rajgad Fort.
The Rajgad Fort is located around 60 km to the south-west of Pune and about 15 km west of Nasrapur in the Sahyadris range. The fort lies 1,376 m above the sea level. The diameter of the base of the fort was about 40 km which made it difficult to lay siege on it, which added to its strategic value. The fort’s ruins consist of palaces, water cisterns, and caves. This fort was built on a hill called Murumbadevi Dongar (Mountain of the Goddess Murumba). Rajgad boasts of the highest number of days stayed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on any fort.
Highlights
- Rajgad's diameter at the base of the foothill is almost 40 kilometers which makes it very difficult for enemy forces to lay siege on it.
- The fort holds special importance in the timeline of Maratha history especially since it boasts of the longest period of time of housing the great warrior king Chatrapati Shivaji and serving as the capital of his Maratha Empire.
- Huge fort of Rajgad is surrounded by 3 machi, Padmavati, Suvela and Sanjivani, because of which it looks like an eagle spreading it's wings
