PRATAPGAD

 

Pratapgad is a large, mountain fort located in Satara district, in the Western Indian state of Maharashtra. The fort is situated on a mountain 24 kilometres from the Mahabaleshwar hill station. The fort is now a popular tourist destination.The fort's historical significance is due to the Battle of Pratapgad, which took place here on 10 November 1659, between Shivaji and Bijapur Sultanate general Afzal Khan. Chatrapati Shivaji's killing of Afzal Khan was followed by decisive Maratha victory over the Bijapur army.Pratapgad is 21 kms from Mahabaleshwar on Mahad Road. It is very important fort as the major fight with Afzal Khan took place here on 10'th November 1659. In 1656 Ch. Shivaji Maharaj built this fort.The Maratha ruler Shivaji assigned Moropant Trimbak Pingle, his prime minister, to undertake the construction of this fort in order to defend the banks of the Nira and the Koyna rivers, and to defend the Par pass. It was completed in 1656.Pratapgad fort was built by Shivaji Maharaj in the period 1656 to 1659. As per historians, original name of the fort was Dhorpya or Bhorpya.This fort is 20 kms away from Mahabaleshwar. It will take you 40 minutes to get here. To get to this fort, you need to climb like 450-500 steps.The district is named after its headquarter town Belha Pratapgarh, commonly known as Pratapgarh. Raja Pratap Bhadur Singh, a local raja between 1628–1682, located his capital at Rampur near the old town of Aror. There he built a garh (fort) and called it Pratapgarh after himself.Pratapgad Fort is a mountain fort built by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort is at a distance of 24 km from the hill station of Mahabaleshwar. The fort holds a sturdy view of coastal Konkan. The Bhavani Temple and Afzal Khan's tomb are other places of interest.

Coordinates: 17°56′10″N 73°34′39″E

Type: Hill Fort

Height: 3543 feet 

Built: 1656

Built by: Shivaji

Events: Shivaji killed Afzal Khan in battle of Pratapgad (1659)