Raigad Fort

Hill fort in Maharashtra, India

For the town in Chhattisgarh, see Raigarh.

Not to be confused with Rajgad Fort.

Raigad Fort

Raigad District, Maharashtra
(near Mahad)

Raigad Fort Nagarkhana

Site information
Type| Hill fort
Owner|

* Shirke Family (before 1656)
* Maratha Kingdom (1656–1689; 1739–1818)
* Mughal Empire (1689–1739)
* East India Company (1818–1858)
* Government of India

Open to
the public| Yes
Location

Raigad Fort

Shown within Maharashtra

Show map of Maharashtra

Raigad Fort

Raigad Fort (India)

Show map of India

Coordinates| 18°14′01″N 73°26′26″E﻿ / ﻿18.2335°N 73.4406°E﻿ / 18.2335; 73.4406
Height| 1,356 metres (4,400 ft) ASL
Site history
Built| For Maratha Empire
Architect| Sardar Hiroji Indulkar
Materials| Basalt, Granite, Lime mortar
Battles/wars| Battle of Raigarh
Events| Coronation of Shivaji (6 June 1674), Sambhaji (16 January 1681), Rajaram (11 March 1689)
Garrison information
Past
commanders|

* Chhatrapati Shivaji
* Chhatrapati Sambhaji

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Part of| Maratha Military Landscapes of India
Criteria| Cultural: iv, vi
Reference| 1739-005
Inscription| 2025 (47th Session)

Raigad, seen in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India, is a hill fort located in the city of Mahad. It is one of the strongest fortresses on the Deccan Plateau and was historically referred to as Rairee or Rairy fort.[1]

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha ruler, along with his chief engineer Hiroji Indulkar, did the construction and development of various buildings and structures, including Raigad. In 1674, after being crowned the king of the Maratha Kingdom of the Konkan, Shivaji Maharaj chose Raigad as the capital of his Hindavi Swaraj.[2]

Located at an elevation of 820 metres (2,700 ft) above its base and 1,356 m (4,449 ft) above sea level within the Sahyadri mountain range, the fort offers views of the surrounding area. The fort was home to around 1,550 people having an average family size of 5 people. Accessing the fort requires ascending approximately 1,737 steps. Alternatively, visitors can opt for the Raigad Ropeway, an aerial tramway spanning 750 m (2,460 ft) in length and reaching a height of 400 m (1,300 ft), which conveniently transports them from the ground to the fort in just four minutes.

## Major features

[edit]

The Maha Darwaja The Samadhi of Rajmata Jijabai

The main palace was constructed using wood, of which only the base pillars remain. The main fort ruins consist of the queen's quarters, and six chambers, with each chamber having its private restroom. The chambers do not have any windows. In addition, ruins of three watch towers can be seen directly in front of the palace grounds out of which only two remain as the third one was destroyed during a bombardment. The fort also overlooks an artificial lake known as the Ganga Sagar Lake.[3]

The only main pathway to the fort passes through the "Maha Darwaja" (Huge Door) which was previously closed at sunset. The Maha Darwaja has two huge bastions on both sides of the door which are approximately 20–21 m (65–70 ft) in height. The top of the fort is 180 m (600 ft) above this door.

The king's court, inside the Raigad Fort, has a replica of the original throne that faces the main doorway called the Nagarkhana Darwaja. It faces the East Side. It was here where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Rajabhishek took place. This enclosure had been acoustically designed to aid hearing from the doorway to the throne. A secondary entrance, called the Mena Darwaja on the south side, was supposedly the private entrance for the royal ladies of the fort that lead to the queen's quarters. The convoy of the king and the king himself used the Palkhi Darwaja. on the north side. To the right of Palkhi Darwaja, is a row of three dark and deep chambers. Historians believe that these were the granaries for the fort.[4]

From the fort, one can view the execution point called Takmak Tok, a cliff from which sentenced prisoners were thrown to their death. This area has been fenced off.[5]

A statue of Shivaji is erected in front of the ruins of the main market avenue that leads to the Jagdishwar Mandir, which has Sardar Hiroji Indulkar's name engraved on the first step, his own Samadhi and that of his dog named Waghya. The Samadhi of Rajmata Jijabai, Shivaji's mother, can be seen at the base village of Pachad. Additional attractions of the fort include the Khubladha Buruj, Nane Darwaja and the Hatti Talav (Elephant Lake). Henry Oxienden was on the fort from 13 May to 13 June 1674 & he quoted "We arrived at the top of that strong mountain about sun set, which is fortified by nature more than art, being off very difficult access, and but one advance to it, which is guarded by two narrow gates, and fortified with a strong high wall, and bastions thereto. All the other parte of the mountaine is a direct precipice, so that it is impregnable except the treachery of some in it betrays it. On the Mountain are many strong buildings, as the Raja's Court, and houses for other Ministers of State, to the number of about 300, It is in length about 21 miles and breadth * a mile, but no pleasant trees nor any sort of grains grows thereon. Our house was about a mile from the Raja's Palace, into which we retired with no little content."[3]

### Hirakani Buruj

[edit]

The fort has a historic buruj called "Hirakani Buruj" (Hirakani Bastion) constructed over a huge steep cliff. The legend goes "that a milkmaid named as Hirakani from a nearby village had come to sell milk to the people living at the fort. She happened to be inside the fort when the gates got closed and locked at sunset. Hearing the cries of her infant son back at the village echo after nightfall, the anxious mother couldn't wait till dawn and courageously climbed down the steep cliff in pitch darkness all for the love of her little one. She later repeated this extraordinary feat in front of Shivaji and was rewarded for her bravery." Noticing that this was a potential loophole, Shivaji built a bastion over the cliff and named it after the milkmaid as Hirakani Buruj.[3][6]

## Incidents

[edit]

The statue of Chatrapati Shivaji's pet dog was removed by alleged members of the Sambhaji Brigade[7] in July 2012 as a protest but was re-instated by Shivaji Raigad Smarak Samiti, the Archaeological Survey of India, sculptor Rambhau Parkhi and the District Administration.[8]

## Ropeway

[edit]

The "Raigad Ropeway" is a ropeway which provides passenger transportation to the fort. Prior to the ropeway the only way to ascend Raigad fort was to trek to it, which took an hour. The Ropeway makes this site relatively more accessible to those not in a physical condition to make this trek. The Raigad Ropeway project is a non-profit endeavour, being the only one of its kind in India. This facility is owned by the Shri Shivaji Raigad Smarak Mandal, (SSRSM) Pune, an organisation started by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1886.[9][10] Construction of this Ropeway was completed in 1996.

In 1990, the SSRSM was permitted by the government of Maharashtra to construct the ropeway. An offer of Rupees Eighty Million, received from a Central Government firm, from Naini, Allahabad, was considered to be unviable. Subsequently, Jog Engineering Limited offered to execute the project on a Build–operate–transfer basis in 1994, at a cost of INR 31 Million, and the same was accepted by SSRSM.[9]

The construction work commenced in November 1994, and was completed by March 1996. The project was inaugurated by Prof. Rajendra Singh, Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The ascent is 420 m and the rope length is 760 m. The motor capacity is 52.22 kW and the cabin weight is 100 kg each.[9]

### Ropeway Museum

[edit]

The ropeway project includes a museum which was created by Babasaheb Purandare and Ninad Bedekar.[9]

## Gallery

[edit]

* Towers a.k.a. Manore

* Raigad in 1896

* Fortification of the Raigad Fort

* Raigad Fort Palace Ruins

* Chief Architect Hiroji Indulkar inscription

* Manore view

* Jagdishwar temple

* Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Samadhi (memorial)

* Inscription at Jagdishwar temple

* Rajsadar of Raigad fort

* Throne of Maratha Empire (Meghdambri/ Sinhasan)

* Wagh Darwaza

* Mahadarwaza and fortification

* Raigad Ropeway trolleys

* Raigad Ropeway ropes

* Raigad Ropeway Information in Marathi

## In popular culture

[edit]

Many scenes of web series 'The secret of the Shiledars' were shot at Raigad Fort.[11] Some scenes of the 2025 Hindi film Chhaava were shot on-location at Raigad.[citation needed]

## See also

[edit]

* List of forts in Maharashtra
* Mughal–Maratha Wars
* List of battles involving the Maratha Confederacy
* Rajgad fort (first capital of Maratha Empire)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Sengar, Resham. "This is why you should visit Maharashtra's Raigad Fort". The Times of India.
2. ^ "Raigarh". Imperial Gazetteer of India, Volume 21. 1909. pp. 47–48. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
3. ^ a b c Verma, Amrit (1985). Forts of India. New Delhi: The Director of Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. pp. 86–9\. ISBN 81-230-1002-8.
4. ^ "Write-up from the Raigad ropeway". Archived from the original on 5 January 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2007.
5. ^ Gunaji, Milind (2005). Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra. Popular Prakashan. p. 41\. ISBN 81-7154-669-2. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
6. ^ Gunaji, Milind (2010). Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra. Popular Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-7991-578-3.
7. ^ "73 held for removing Shivaji's dog's statue from Raigad fort". DNA. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
8. ^ "Vaghyacha putala punha basavala". Sakal. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
9. ^ a b c d "The Ropeway". Raigad Ropeway. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
10. ^ "WEBSITE ON FORT RAIGAD INAUGURATED". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. August 2000. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
11. ^ ITINERARY, INDIA (30 January 2025). "The Secret Of The Shiledars Shooting Locations". India-Itinerary - Itineraries for Independent travelers. Retrieved 4 February 2025.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Raigad Fort.

* (Raigad Fort Place to See) Archived 9 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine

* v
* t
* e

Forts in Maharashtra

Ahmednagar district|

* Ahmednagar Fort
* Bahadurgad
* Bhairavgad
* Bitangad
* Harishchandragad
* Kaladgad
* Kharda
* Kunjargad
* Madan Fort
* Manjarsumbha fort
* Pabargad
* Patta Fort
* Ratangad

Akola district|

* Akola Fort
* Balapur
* Narnala

Amravati district|

* Amner Fort
* Gawilghur

Aurangabad district|

* Antur Fort
* Daulatabad Fort

Chandrapur district|

* Chandrapur Fort
* Ballarpur Fort
* Bhadravati Fort
* Manikgad

Dhule district|

* Bhamer
* Laling
* Thalner

Kolhapur district|

* Bhudargad
* Gandharvgad
* Panhala
* Pargadh
* Pavangad
* Samangad
* Vishalgad

Latur district|

* Udgir

Mumbai City district|

* Bombay Castle
* Dongri Fort
* Fort George
* Mahim Fort
* Mazagon Fort
* Riwa Fort
* Sewri Fort
* Sion Hillock Fort
* Worli Fort

Mumbai Suburban district|

* Castella de Aguada
* Madh

Nagpur district|

* Sitabuldi

Nanded district|

* Kandhar Fort

Nashik district|

* Aavandhagad
* Achala Fort
* Ahivant Fort
* Alang
* Anjaneri
* Ankai Fort
* Bahulagad
* Bhaskargad
* Chandwad
* Chauler Fort
* Dermal
* Dhodap
* Hargad
* Harihar fort
* Hatgad
* Indrai
* Kanchangad
* Kanhergad
* Kavnai fort
* Kulang
* Madangad
* Malegaon
* Mangi-Tungi
* Moragad
* Mulher
* Nhavigad
* Rajdher fort
* Ramsej
* Salher
* Salota
* Saptashrungi
* Tankai fort
* Tringalwadi
* Waghera

Osmanabad district|

* Naldurg Fort
* Paranda Fort

Palghar district|

* Bassein
* Kaldurg
* Tandulwadi

Pune district|

* Anghaai Fort
* Bhorgiri Fort
* Chawand
* Dhakoba
* Ghangad
* Hadsar Fort
* Induri Fort
* Jivdhan
* Kailasgad
* Kawla
* Korigad/Koraigad
* Lohagad
* Malhargad
* Manaranjan
* Mangalgad
* Morgiri Fort
* Narayangad
* Nimgiri
* Purandar
* Rajgad
* Rajmachi
* Rayri Fort
* Rohida
* Sangram Durg
* Sindola Fort
* Shaniwar Wada
* Shivneri
* Shrivardhan
* Sinhagad
* Tikona
* Torna
* Tung
* Vajragad Fort
* Visapur

Raigad district|

* Agarkot
* Avchitgad
* Bhimashankar Fort
* Birwadi
* Chambhargad
* Chandragad
* Dhak Bahiri
* Dronagiri
* Gadad Bahiri
* Ghangad
* Ghosalgad
* Irshalgad
* Karnala
* Khaderi
* Khanderi
* Kondhawi Fort
* Korlai
* Kothaligad Peb fort
* Kulaba
* Kurdugad
* Lingana
* Maangad
* Madgad
* Malanggad
* Mangalgad (Kangori)
* Manikgad
* Mirgad
* Mrugagad
* Murud-Janjira
* Padargad
* Padmadurg/ Kasa Fort
* Prabalgad
* Raigad
* Ratnagad
* Revdanda
* Sagargad
* Samrajgad
* Sankshi Fort
* Sarasgad
* Sarjekot
* Songad
* Songiri Fort
* Sudhagad
* Surgad
* Talagad
* Underi
* Vikatgad Peb fort

Ratnagiri district|

* Aambolgad
* Anjanwel
* Bankot
* Gowalkot
* Jaigad
* Kanakdurg
* Mahipatgad
* Mandangad
* Prachitgad
* Prunagad
* Rasalgad
* Ratnagiri (Ratnadurg)
* Sumargad
* Suvarnadurg
* Yashwantgad

Satara district|

* Ajinkyatara
* Bhairavgad
* Bhushangad
* Chandan-Vandan
* Dategad
* Gunavantgad
* Jangali Jayagad
* Kalyangad
* Kamalgad
* Kenjalgad
* Mahimangad
* Pandavgad
* Prachitgad
* Pratapgad
* Sajjangad
* Santoshgad
* Vairatgad
* Vardhangad
* Varugad
* Vasantgad
* Vasota

Sindhudurg district|

* Aasavgad
* Bharatgad
* Rajkot Fort
* Sanrjekot
* Sindhudurg
* Vijaydurg

Thane district|

* Aasawa
* Arnala
* Asherigad
* Ballalgad
* Balwantgad
* Belapur Fort
* Bhairavgad
* Bhandargad
* Bhavanigad
* Bhupatgad
* Chanderigad
* Dahanugad
* Daulatmandal
* Dharavi
* Durgadi Fort
* Gambhirgad
* Ghodbunder Fort
* Gorakhgad
* Gotara
* Jivdhaanigad
* Kamandurg
* Kelwegad
* Kohojgad
* Mahuli
* Malang gad
* Palasgad
* Tahuli
* Shirgav Fort

Jalna district|

* Jalna Fort(Mastgarh)
* Rohilagarh
* Jafrabad Qila

* v
* t
* e

Forts in India

Ahom dynasty|

* Talatal Ghar
* Kareng Ghar
* Rang Ghar
* Garchuk Lachit Garh

Bahmani Sultanate|

* Bidar
* Gulbarga

British Raj|

* Anchuthengu
* St. George
* William
* Bombay
* Riwa
* Worli
* Mazagon
* Sion Hillock
* Sewri
* Mahim
* Tellicherry
* St. David

Deccan sultanates|

* Ahmednagar
* Daulatabad
* Gawilghur
* Golconda
* Jalna Fort(Mastgarh)
* Narnala
* Panhala

Delhi Sultanate|

* Aligarh
* Bandhavgarh
* Hathras
* Qila Mubarak
* Siri
* Tughlaqabad
* Salimgarh

Eastern Ganga dynasty|

* Barabati
* Raibania

Faruqi dynasty|

* Asirgarh
* Laling
* Thalner

Gujarat Sultanate|

* Bhadra

Jat|

* Bawana Fort
* Gohad
* Lohagarh
* Nahar Singh Mahal

Kakatiya dynasty|

* Warangal

Kingdom of Mysore|

* Devanahalli
* Palakkad
* Bekal
* Sankagiri

Malwa Sultanate|

* Mandsaur
* Mandavgadh

Maratha Empire|

* Dongri
* Harishchandragad
* Kolaba
* Lohagad
* Sudhagad
* Sinhagad
* Tikona
* Panhala
* Pratapgad
* Vishalgad
* Rajgad
* Sindhudurg
* Vijaydurg
* Shivneri
* Raigad
* Gajendragarh
* Gingee
* Shaniwar Wada
* Jhansi
* Hinglajgarh
* Manora
* Visapur
* Sadashivgad

Mughal Empire|

* Purana Qila
* Chanderi
* Agra
* Allahabad
* Fatehpur Sikri
* Red
* Akola
* Hari Parbat Fort
* Ramnagar

Nayak dynasty|

* Chitradurga
* Bekal
* Dindigul
* Gingee
* Tiruchirapalli Rock
* Chandragiri Fort
* Hosdurg

Portuguese|

* Bassein Fort
* Bombay Castle
* Mahim
* Arnala
* Castella de Aguada
* Diu Fort
* Surat Castle
* Fortim do Mar, Diu
* Fortim do Mar, Simbor
* Emmanuel
* Fort Anjediva
* Korlai
* Madh Fort
* St Thomas, Tangasseri
* St. Angelo
* Pallipuram
* Aguada
* Fort Tiracol
* Anjediva
* Cranganore
* Ghodbunder
* Fortaleza de Chaul
* Ponda Fort
* Chapora Fort
* Fortaleza de São Sebastião de Tivim
* Cabo de Rama
* Corjuem Fort
* Mormugão fort
* Rachol Fort
* Fort of São Tiago of Banastarim

Rajputs|

* Achalgarh
* Amber
* Bhangarh
* Chittor
* Jaigarh
* Jaisalmer
* Jalore
* Junagarh
* Kankwadi
* Kumbhalgarh
* Nahargarh
* Qila Rai Pithora
* Taragarh
* Lal Kot
* Gwalior
* Kalinjar
* Hinglajgarh
* Mehrangarh
* Narwar
* Senapati fortress
* Sabalgarh
* Bahu
* Kangra
* Ranthambore
* Bhatner fort

Sikh Empire|

* Kamlah

Siddi|

* Murud-Janjira
* Belapur
* Underi

Sur Empire|

* Chunar
* Rohtasgarh
* Munger

Travancore|

* Vattakottai
* Udayagiri
* East

Vijayanagara|

* Chandragiri
* Gingee
* Bangalore
* Udayagiri
* Vellore

* v
* t
* e

Maratha Empire

Chhatrapatis (Kings)|

* Shivaji
* Sambhaji
* Rajaram I
* Tarabai
* Shahu I
* Rajaram II
* Shahu II
* Pratap Singh

Peshwas (Prime ministers)|

* Moropant Trimbak Pingle
* Moreshvar Pingale
* Ramchandra Pant Amatya
* Bahiroji Pingale
* Balaji Vishwanath
* Baji Rao I
* Balaji Baji Rao
* Madhavrao Ballal
* Narayan Rao
* Raghunathrao
* Sawai Madhavrao
* Baji Rao II
* Amrut Rao
* Nana Sahib
* Bhat family

Amatya & Pratinidhi (Councilors and viceroys)|

* Ramchandra Pant Amatya
* Pralhad Niraji
* Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi (hereditary)
* Shripatrao Pant Pratinidhi
* Jagjivanrao Pant Pratinidhi

Women|

* Ahilyabai Holkar
* Anandibai
* Gopikabai
* Jankibai
* Jijabai
* Kashibai
* Lakshmibai
* Mastani
* Parvatibai
* Putalabai
* Ramabai
* Saibai
* Sakvarbai
* Soyarabai
* Umabai Dabhade
* Baka Bai
* Tulsi Bai Holkar

Maratha Empire|

* Bhonsle of Nagpur
* Gaekwad of Baroda
* Scindia of Gwalior
* Holkar of Indore
* Patwardhan dynasty

Battles|

* Pratapgarh
* Kolhapur
* Pavan Khind
* Umberkhind
* Chakan
* Surat
* Purandar
* Sinhagad
* Salher
* Kalyan
* Bhupalgarh
* Bijapur
* Jinji
* Satara
* Khelna
* Torna
* Palkhed
* Malwa
* Mandsaur
* Bhopal
* Vasai
* 1st Trichinopoly
* Katwa (1st)
* 2nd Trichinopoly
* Katwa (2nd)
* Invasions of Bengal
* Narela
* 2nd Delhi
* North-west India
* Peshawar
* 3rd Panipat
* Alegaon
* Rakshasbhuvan
* Capture of Delhi
* Pachgaon
* Saunshi
* Wadgaon
* Adoni
* Badami
* Savanur
* Gajendragad
* Bahadur Benda
* Lalsot
* Chaksana
* Patan
* Kharda
* Poona
* 3rd Delhi
* Assaye
* Laswari
* Farrukhabad
* Bharatpur
* Khadki
* Koregaon
* Mahidpur

Wars|

* Maratha-Mughal War of 27 years
* Maratha–Mysore War
* First Anglo-Maratha War
* Second Anglo-Maratha War
* Third Anglo-Maratha War

Adversaries|

* Adil Shahi
* Qutb Shahi
* Mughal Empire
* Durrani Empire
* British Empire
* Portuguese Empire
* Nizam of Hyderabad
* Kingdom of Rohilkhand
* Mysore

Forts|

* Mangad
* Panhala
* Pratapgad
* Purandar
* Raigad
* Rajgad
* Shaniwar Wada
* Shivneri
* Sindhudurg
* Rajgad
* Torna

Coins|

* Shivrai

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template