Pratapgad
Pratapgad
Pratapgad
In the history of the world it is one of the most unique occurrence, that
Shivaraya established self Government fighting against the tyrannical mughal
knights. It was more than impossible for him to achieve liberty, without the
loyal cooperation of his loyal companions, who were more than ready to
sacrifice their lives to get the liberty. It was the power of the maratha swords
shown against miscreant mughal knights to get the liberty. Inaccessible forts
in the vicinity of Sanhyadri were the main objects which have helped a lot to
achieve the liberty.
As these forts are the inspiring centers of our vehement history, now it
is our prime responsibility to preserve them and hand over the precious
inheritance to our posterity, in-tact.
Page 2.
From the sea level its height is of 1080 meters however, Mahabaleswar
is more high than that of Pratapgad by 347 meters and it is 1427 meters high
from sea level.
As the rocks of Pratapgad are somewhat softer than there are on the
uplands beyond Satara and Kolhapur Districts. An erosion of these soft rocks
is more due to the torrent rains.
The valleys on the three sides of Pratapgad were mostly occupied by the
dense forest, and in between West and North the precipices are there of the
heights of 700 to 800 fts. followed by sharp slop.
The dense forestry and the valleys and crags have caused to enrich the
wild life here. It is an element of the Sanhyadri which comes under the
evergreen forestry.
The forest surrounding the Pratapgad is enriched with variety of
different species of trees, plants, medicinal plants and in accordance variety
of insects, wild animals etc. are living here safely
Present circumstances.
The crags of Bhorpya hill on its West and South side, 700 to 800 ft. in
height, stands as a natural protection to Pratapgad. Excluding these standing
crags on the side of Konkan, all other Bhorpya hill was encircled by a thick
forest. Even today also you will find extremely deep forest here around the
hill. A thick forest in this region was one of the powers of More sardar of
Jawali.. They were taking it as a den of tigers. Taking an advantage of this
dense forest maratha soldiers wiped out all the traces of Afzalkhan`s tropes in
this forest. Not a single soldier was left alive from here. This fact proves the
the importance of this dense forest. Not a single gun was fired from
Pratapgad but the forest helped them to hew out all the troops of Afzalkhan in
the forest. In our Indian ancient literature jungle fortress is described as a fort
surrounded from all sides with thick forest, which is known as most safe. So
Pratapgad have got the both qualities of hilly-fort, and jungle-fort.
Pratapgad was built in two stages. In the beginning from behind the Old
door a part of the fort on West was taken under construction. Then the
existing Mahadarwaja (big door), Afzal Machi and bastion of flag were
constructed to end.
Water supply to the fort which was the most important and primitive
facility should have to be done on the first priority. A water reservoir near old
door, two lakes in the region of Yashwant to Redaka fortress, Bhawani lake
and one on stronghold were constructed. Stones excavated while constructing
lakes, leveling land for building houses, making roads was used for another
construction of the fort. The stone required more was obtained by cracking
rocks and knolls on the fort.
The fortress going from the right side of this door surrounding the
timpani house goes towards Bhawani lake. From Bhawani lake the fortress
have gone forward to stronghold. On the three sides of Bhawani lake along
the inner side of the fortress, there have built another high stony construction
like a bastion. It seems an extra protection for the lake. It is known as fortress
of the lake. On the outer fortress there is a secret way near fortress of
Bhawani lake. Now a days it is badly in devastated condition. To enter from
the outer fortress to lake an axes of a small door have been made. But today
half of the part of the door is filled with stones and clay. A partridge have
been constructed in stone on the side of the Bhawani temple. From this
partridge, descending steps to the lake have been constructed.
A lofty bastion is there on the left side of the Old door. This bastion of
having a girth of 100 ft. looks like standing a magnificent sentinel. A
bulwark going from this bastion towards stronghold now have died away
completely. A stepping way from the left side of Bhawani temple have
prepared recently for the tourist to have a walk.
Timpani house is located on the upper side of the old darwaja, and
Bhawani temple is exactly behind it. This part have been confined by a
protective wall. Two posts of lights are there in front of the temple. The
sanctum of the Bhawani temple, posts of the lamp and timpani house are still
available in an original form. But remaining parts have already gone under
repairs from time to time. Mainly it includes the pavilion of assembly.
Timpani house is located on the upper side of the old darwaja, and
Bhawani temple is exactly behind it. This part have been confined by a
protective wall. Two posts of lights are there in front of the temple. The
sanctum of the Bhawani temple, posts o f the lamps and a timpani house are
still available in an original form. Remaining parts have gone under repairs
from time to time. Mainly it includes the pavilion of assembly.
Timpani house and temple are eastwards. Bottom of the timpani house
is higher than that of Mahadarwaja and the temple even on more in height.
The difference in the heights have been taken away making timpani house of
two storied. A structure of an arc is there on the eastern side of the lower
story. It is nothing but a magnificent niche having an arc structure. Ascending
steps on the left side of this niche comes to the level of Bhawani temple on
the first floor. On entering old darwja,a passage on right side goes to
stronghold and straight to timpani house`s ascending steps entering the
Bhawani temple. Thus the question does not arise, to trace pass in other parts
of the fort for the public coming to the temple. It should have managed for
the safety and protection of the fort, perpending to pay visit of goddess
Bhawani a outsider should not have a chance to get into the fort.
A left rampart of the old darwaja had gone towards stronghold. In these
days we now use to go on by newly built steps to stronghold. To go in front
of the door of the stronghold we should have to go round a lofty rampart.
Here on this rampart an imposing tree have grown. The roots of this tree have
spread all over the rampart. As you enter through the door of the stronghold
very in front you will see a spacious plinth. It was a very important and main
palace to hold an assembly and discussions on the fort. It was a favorite place
for Maharaj to hold a court. Near about this court there is a temple of
Kedareswar. A bastion of stronghold on which an imposing tree have grown,
a rampart going from here further it joins behind the court near Kedar
bastion, or otherwise rampart going on left goes straight to Yashwant rampart.
From Yaswant bastion a rampart further goes to Redaka bastion and, from
Redaka bastion, and from Redaka bastion along the suicidal point it has come
on Kedar bastion, or other rampart going on left goes straight to Yaswant
rampart. From Yaswant bastion a rampart further goes to Rekaka bastion, and
from Redaka bastion along the suicidal point it has come on Kedar bastion.
It is the bulwark of the stronghold.
On the truck of the hill at the center of the eastern crag a gaintic
circular bastion is there having a girth of 120 ft. This bastion is encircled by
a semicircular structure of armored wall. To climb on this bastion of 20 ft. in
height, from western side 22 steps are there of a width of 10 ft. On the both
sides of these steps a lengthened bastion of size 30 by 7 ft. have been
constructed. At the foot of the main bastion on the western side, there doors
in size 3.25 by 3.25 ft. have been fitted in the wall which is of 5 ft. in breadth.
Through this door we enter an armour. From the main bastion an armour
have been built keeping average of 7 ft. distance from it. This armour is 190
ft in length and 3 ft. in width which have a semicircular structure. On the top
of the both entering doors propped bastion of Afzal machi had been turned so
to emerge into bastion. Due to the main defensive bastion on the road of
mighty door, a lengthy bastion near steps, and a protective bastion on the
door, the entire look of it is quite distinctive than the other armoured bastions
on the fort. The construction of the mighty door is a very special style of
Shivaraya. A bulwark coming from Afzal machi, it takes `U` turn and turns
into a small bastion. Similarly a rampart coming from old darwaja have
constructed a bulging portion of bastion near mighty door to make the way
narrow coming towards mighty door. A road which has came from cart
parking turning right goes on the steps in between the two bastions straight in
front of the mighty door. The mighty door is not visible unless you come in
front of it. It also is one of the spacialities on Pratapgad Shivaraya created
while constructing the fort.
A personal hall of Maharaja on stronghold, Kedareswar temple, Ganesh
temple, the vestige of the mansion of Jijau, remnants of arsenal are still stand
in front of our eyes in an original form as they were in the time of Shivaraya.