Quick read: The Satavahanas were Deccan’s Early Fort Builders.
The Satavahana dynasty, who ruled Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh from roughly 200 BC to 240 AD, emerged as the first major power in the Deccan after the decline of the Mauryan Empire. Interestingly, they might also be considered the region’s first significant fort builders.

Supporting this claim is the testimony of the 2nd-century Greek writer Ptolemy, who mentions finding thirty walled towns within the Satavahana empire. Additionally, some hill forts near Junnar, including the iconic Shivaneri, likely trace their origins back to this period.

The term “Deccan” itself is derived from “Dakhan,” which originates from Dakshinapatha, meaning “the southern road.” The Satavahanas, who succeeded the Mauryas in the Deccan, proudly called themselves “Dakshinapathapati” (Lords of Dakshinapatha).

Picture Credit: Nane Ghat Pass, Ramanujam S. R

Quick read: Devagiri was an impregnable fort which perhaps attracted Tuglaq.

Tuglaq wanted to consolidate his gains in South India and moved his capital to Devagiri. He ordered a poorly organized and deadly migration of people to Devagiri in 1327 AD. He renamed it as Daulatabad. It is near Aurangabad which is now renamed as Sambhajinagar. He reversed the decision in 1335 AD and moved back to Delhi.

Devagiri was founded in 1187 AD by the Yadava king Bhillam V. The fort was constructed during the reign of Singhana II (1210-46 AD). It was captured by Ala-ud- Din Khalji in 1294 AD, marking the first Muslim invasion of the Deccan. In 1318 AD, Malik Kafur killed the last Yadava Raja, Harapal.

Devagiri fort is on an isolated cone-shaped hill. It rises abruptly from the plain to a 190 mt height. It has three concentric lines of defensive walls, bastions, moat, scarp and sub-terranean passage, hewn of solid rock. The famous rock cut Ellora Caves are just 16 kms away from Devagiri- Daulatabad.

Picture Credit: Parag Zone, Instagram

Quick read: Maval means “the direction in which the Sun sets” in Marathi.

“Maval,” meaning “the direction in which the Sun sets” in Marathi, aptly describes the western belt of the Pune district. This 150km long and 20-35km wide strip, nestled along the Western Ghats, is a land of dramatic landscapes. The Mavala region features a series of table-lands dissected by deep, winding valleys. Each valley boasts a high hill crowned by a fort, offering natural defenses for the inhabitants.

This unique geography became the cradle of Shivaji’s activities. The Mavala region, also known as the “Sunset Land,” not only provided him with a network of strategic forts but also with the “Mavales” – the brave inhabitants who formed the backbone of his legendary army.

Picture Credit: Lohagad Fort in Maval, Rohit Shellar

Quick read: Shivaji was born at Shivneri but could not reclaim it from Mughals in his lifetime.

Shivneri hillfort is birth-place of Shivaji and is near Junnar, about 85 kms north of Pune. It is on a 300 metre high isolated hill and is triangular in shape. There are only a few structures remaining in the fort. The house where Shivaji was born has been recently restored.

Shivneri hill has a long history going back to the Satavahanas. It was strategically located on the traders’ path to Nane Ghat pass which further connected to the Konkan coast. All foreign trade was controllable from this fort and pass.

There are remains of rock caves on all the three faces of Shivneri, which show that it was a Buddhist centre during the first three centuries AD. After the Satavahanas, the Shivaneri fort was occupied by the Shilaharas, the Yadavas, the Bahamanis and the Mughals. In 1599 AD the hillfort was granted to Shivaji’s grandfather, Maloji Bhosale and passed down to his father.

Though Shivaji was born here, he had to surrender the fort to the Mughals and could not take it back in his lifetime.

Picture Credit: Shivneri Fort, Facebook

Quick read: Afzal Khan had decided to kill Shivaji at a truce meet but was himself killed instead.
Pratapgarh Fort stands as a testament to Shivaji’s vision and military prowess. Built between 1656-58 AD, this formidable structure lies 24 kilometers west of Mahabaleshwar and 145 kilometers south of Pune.

But Pratapgarh’s significance extends beyond its imposing walls. In 1659 Shivaji met Afzal Khan, an arrogant general from the Bijapur Sultanate, for a supposed truce meeting. However, beneath the cloak of diplomacy Afzal Khan planned to assassinate Shivaji.

Shivaji, ever the strategist, anticipated the betrayal. With his loyal Maratha soldiers concealed nearby, he entered the meeting chamber. What ensued was a fierce hand-to-hand combat in which Shivaji killed Afzal Khan. This decisive victory at Pratapgarh marked a turning point for Shivaji and the Marathas, solidifying their power in the Deccan region.

To commemorate the 300th anniversary of this historic event, an equestrian statue of Shivaji was installed atop the fort in 1959, a permanent reminder of his courage and strategic brilliance.

Picture Credit: Travel Triangles

Quick read: Alibaug fort, across the sea from Mumbai, was built by Shivaji to serve as a Maratha naval base.

The Alibaug fort (Kulaba fort – not to be confused with Mumbai’s Colaba) is south of Mumbai across the sea. From Alibaug, it is possible to walk across to the fort during low tide. Even today, there are two English canons facing the open sea. To the south of the fort was a ship-dock, visible at low-tide.

The Kulaba fort was Shivaji’s last construction and was completed almost on the eve of his death in April, 1680. The Angres ruled it for Marathas as the main base of the Maratha navy. The rule of the Angres, who were also known as Kulabkar, came to an end in 1840 AD. The most famous of them was Kanhoji Angre whose battles with the British navy are legendary and earned him the title ‘Samudratla Shivaji’ (Shivaji of the seas).

Picture Credit: Travel Setu

Quick read: Ghorpades are believed to have been expert users of lizards in their battles.

The Bengal monitor lizard (Ghorpad in Marathi) is an excellent climber, quite at home on trees or rocky cliffs, and an adept swimmer. They can grow to 6 feet in length. With unshakeable grip, they can climb walls and even steep mountains and trees without any support. Historians are not sure if the legends of Marathas using lizards to climb forts are authentic. Perhaps medieval armies in the Deccan did use the ghorpads in some fashion during hill warfare.

Shivaji’s trusted commander, Tanaji Malusare is said to have used these lizards in the Battle of Kondana-Sinhagad in 1679. Legends say that Tanaji used Shivaji’s pet monitor lizard Yashwanti to climb the fort wall. He tied a rope to the back of the lizard which scaled a sheer cliff face beneath an unguarded section of the fort, secured itself in a crevice, and allowed Tanaji to climb up behind.

The Ghorpades, famous Maratha warrior community, are believed to have been experts in using ghorpads in battles.

Source: https://photocontest.smithsonianmag.com/photocontest/detail/unsung-warrior/

Picture Credit: Smithsonian Magazine

Quick read: Portuguese vacated their rule of Bombay after they lost Vasai fort.

The Konkan had been under Portuguese rule from the north of Mumbai upto Daman. They had built a string of forts along the coastline. They had a strong artillery with mounted guns on the bastions.

Vasai fort is surrounded by sea on three sides with a long exposed access towards the land. Over a two year campaign that ended in 1739, Chimaji Appa besieged and eventually broke into the Vasai fort. The Portuguese surrendered and were allowed to evacuate to Goa peacefully with honour. It was the first time in many centuries that an oriental power had beaten a European power in battle.

The victory at Vasai liberated people living under oppressive Portuguese rule. Chimaji Appa would later write that the Lord’s Sudarshan hit the head of the fanatics who harboured religious ill-will.

Picture Credit: Gladson Machado

Quick read: The Janjira fort at Murud was ruled by Abyssinian Siddis and was never conquered by Marathas.
The Janjira fort is on an island off the Konkan coast near Murud. Originally the Janjira fort was a small wooden structure built by a Koli chief in the late 15th century. It was captured by Pir Khan, a general of Nizamshah of Ahmednagar. Later the fort was strengthened by Malik Ambar, the Siddi regent of Ahmednagar kings. Over a period of time, the Siddis changed their allegiance from Bijapur to Mughals to British. The Siddis were of Abyssinian (Ethiopian, Somali) origin. The word ‘Janjira’ is a corruption of the Arabic word jazira for island.

Despite their repeated attempts, the Portuguese, the British and the Marathas failed to subdue the Siddi power. Shivaji’s attempts to capture Janjira fort also failed. In 1732, Bajirao took over the entire Konkan coast from the Siddis except the island of Janjira and a few forts to the south. In 1736, Chimaji Appa and Manaji Angre fought and killed Siddi Sat. This broke the Siddi’s hold over Konkan but they held on to Janjira.

Picture Credit: Maharashtra Tourism

Quick read: Shivaji’s coronation, and therefore the true Swarajya movement of India, started at Raigad.
Raigad Fort wasn’t just a fortress; it was the symbolic birthplace of the Maratha dream. Captured by Shivaji in 1656 AD, it transformed from the little-known Rairi into Raigad – “King’s Fort.” This strategically chosen, wedge-shaped rock, isolated by a deep valley from the Sahyadris, offered formidable defenses.

In the 12th century Raigad (known as Rairi) was a seat of the Shirke-palegar family. After changing several hands, it was captured by Shivaji from Chandrarao More in 1656 AD. Shivaji chose Rairi for his capital and renamed it as Raigad.

In 1674 AD Shivaji was crowned Chhatrapati, marking the true beginning of the Swarajya movement – a fight for self-rule. Raigad became the capital, bustling with over 300 structures and serving as the nerve center of the Maratha kingdom.

Raigad’s legacy continued after Shivaji. It remained with his son Sambhaji until its capture by the Mughals in 1689 AD. The fort housed the samadhis (tombs) of both Shivaji and his loyal dog, Waghya, a testament to the deep bond they shared. Though briefly lost, Raigad returned to Maratha control in 1735 AD before finally surrendering to the British in 1818 AD.

Picture Credit: 350th Coronation day celebrations at Raigad Fort, Mid-Day