Raigad Fort

About Raigad Fort:

• It is a hill fort situated in the Raigad district, Maharashtra.
• It is surrounded by valleys shaped by the Kal and Gandhari rivers, stands as an isolated massif without connections to neighbouring hills.
• Grant Duff, a British historian of the Maratha period has drawn parallels between Raigad and the Rock of Gibraltar. He has gone to the extent of labelling Raigad as the Gibraltar of the east.
• History
  • In 1653 CE, Raigad (then known as Rairi) was captured by the Maratha forces from the Mores'.
  • Shivaji Maharaj assigned the work of reconstruction of the fort to Hiroji Indulkar.
  • Subsquently, on 6th June, 1674 CE a grand coronation ceremony of Shivaji Maharaj was held on Raigad post, during which he attained the title of “Chhatrapati”.
  • The fort served as the second capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and played an important role in the administration and expansion of the Maratha Kingdom.
• Features:
• • There were two main gates both flanked by bastions, Nana Darwaza and Maha Darwaza.
  • It is remarkable for magnificently designed gates, fortification walls and imposing monuments. 
  • Other structures within the fort are: Naqqar Khana, Sirkai Devi Temple, Jagadishwar Temple – a shrine dedicated to Lord Siva - including the Hall of Public Audience (Rajsadar), Royal Complex, Queens' palace Bazarpeth, Manore (pleasure pavilions), Wadeshwar Temple, Khublada Burj, Massid Morcha, Nanne Darwaza
  • The Royal Complex: It includes Ranivasa, Rajsadar, Naqqarkhana, Mena Darwaza, and Palkhi Darwaja, is well-fortified and accessible only through three entrances: Naqqarkhana, Mena Darwaja, and Palkhi Darwaja. This fortified complex is commonly known as Balle Qilla (citadel).
  • Rajsadar (Hall of Public Audience): This is where Shivaji Maharaj used to hold his court (darbar) to dispense justice on routine matters and to receive dignitaries and envoys. It is a rectangular structure facing east.
  • Holicha Mal: It is located outside Naqqarkhana. It is a wide-open ground that was most likely used for the annual Holi festival.
• The fort of Raigad is part of the 12 forts nominated for UNESCO World Heritage under the title “Maratha Military Landscapes of India”.