About

A vital piece of Maharashtra’s history, the fort was constructed in 1656 on the orders of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who commissioned it to defend the Par pass and the river banks of Nira and Koyna during his war against the Adilshahi sultanate. Three years later, the infamous battle of Pratapgad took place below the ramparts of this very fort, which led to the death of Afzal Khan and kickstarted the arrival of the Maratha Empire. In 1957, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru unveiled a 17-feet high bronze statue of Shivaji at the fort.

The name Pratapgad literally means valour fort, and even today, this monument continues to act as a memoir of the great ruler and his many remarkable accomplishments. If you happen to be in Mahabaleshwar, you can visit the fort via a short drive and bear witness to its battle scars in person. You can also visit the two temples inside, dedicated to goddess Bhavani and god Mahadeva (Shiva). In fact, the fort is regularly visited by students and is included in many local trekking routes. Whether you’re a local, a Shiva devotee, a history fanatic, or a foreign tourist, a visit to Pratapgad fort will leave you amazed and full of pride.