Purandar fort witnessed the rise of King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj against Adil Shahi, the Bijapur Sultanate, and the Mughals. The article reveals exhaustive information about the Purandar Fort; including its history, location, how to reach it by public transport, trekking, best time visits, nearby places, and our thoughts at the end.
Table of Contents
What is Purandar Fort Famous for?
Purandar is a 4,472 ft (1,387 m) hill fort in the Pune region that not only meets the interests of history buffs but also those seeking adventure. The Battle of Purandar, the Rise of Swarjya, the Birth of Prince Sambhaji, the Bravery of Warrior Murarbaji Deshpande, and the Treaty of Purandar set Purandar Fort apart from others historically.
The fort is now used by the National Cadet Corps academy for training purposes. Currently, most part of the fort is in ruins. But the majestic beauty of this architectural masterpiece in the heart of the Western Ghats, continue to pull thousands of tourists every month.
Words about Purandar Fort by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
“Purandar fort is just like any other fort but still it is a special one.
Fort looks like so many huge mountains have been kept on each other with so many rock patches. On the edge of rock patches, the fortified wall has been built.
Inside the fort wall, there is a Machi and inside a Machi, there is a Balekilla with a total twenty-four Buruj where Shendrya Buruj is the highest among all as it feels like Shendrya Buruj is touching to the sky.
And inside a Balekilla, so many warriors will show their bravery with their sword just like so many kite birds are soaring in sky..!!”
What is the History of Purandar Killa?
It is well said that – each soil of Purandar has a historical chapter.
What is the Meaning of Purandar in history?
Its mythological name is ‘Indraneel Parvat’. According to a legend, it is said that Purandar mountain is the broken part of the Dronagiri Parvat, which Lord Hanuman carried in the Ramayana.
Further history of the Purandar is grand and played an important role during the Maratha Empire. Being located in a strategic place, the fort witnessed several historic battles, besiegement, treaties, and shifting of powers.
Who built Purandar Fort?
Purandar dates back to the Yadava Dynasty in the 11th century. Persian invaders first defeated Yadavas who further fortified the fort in 1350 A.D.
Dark Day of Purandar
Purandar was then besieged several times under the rule of the Bedar Sultanate. To prevent the Shendurya Bastion of Fort from ever falling again, the King of Bedar dreamt that, to appease its patron deity, a man should sacrifice his wife and their firstborn son on the spot, unless the foundation would never be sure.
So he ordered his minster, Yesaji Naik Chive to bury his wife and his firstborn son into the foundation of the bastion which was promptly done with a further offering of gold and bricks. When the bastion was finished, a minister was given possession of the fort and the father of the sacrificed boy was rewarded with two villages.
Adilshahi Sultanate
In 1596 A.D., the Bahudar Shah of the Adilshahi Sultanate granted the territory of “Pune” and “Supa” to Maloji Bhosale, the grandfather of Shivaji Maharaj. But even though Purandar was included in the Maratha territory, it is still under Adilshahi Sultanate.
Rise of Swarajya
In 1646 A.D., a young Shivaji Maharaj in one of his first victories for the Maratha Empire, raided and established supreme control over the Purandar fort by Shiva sutra or Ganimi Kava (guerrilla tactics).
Who was born at Purandar Fort?
Maharaj’s son, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, was born in Purandar Fort on May 16, 1657. He became the Second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, carrying on Shivaji Maharaj’s tradition and earning the same respect and renown as his father.
Despite a slew of problems, Chhatrapati Sambhaji ruled for nine years, molded largely by ongoing battles between the Maratha kingdom and the Mughal Empire, as well as other neighboring powers such as the Siddis, Mysore, and the Portuguese in Goa.
When was the Battle of Purandar?
In 1665 A.D, Purandar was besieged by the forces of Aurangzeb, under the command of Mirza Raje Jai Singh and assisted by Diler Khan backed by 5000 strong infantries.
Who defended the fort of Purandar?
Murarbaji Deshpande, the Killedar (keeper) of the fort at the time, led a fierce resistance against Mughal forces with 700 Maavale warriors. Despite failing defenses, Murarbaji and his army held out valiantly.
According to Maratha folklore, Murarbaji demonstrated amazing swordsmanship and was a strong and inspiring leader who pushed back and drove a bigger Mughal force to retreat.
Diler Khan, impressed with the bravery of Murarbaji, offered him a truce and employment in the Mughal forces. Murarbaji turned down the offer due to his loyalty to the ideals of Hindavi Swarajya. He was extremely enraged at this very suggestion and, in an act of extreme daredevilry charged with his commandos right into the heart of the Mughal troops, killing hundreds.
The remaining Marathas behind the inner walls of Balekilla refused to surrender and were determined to fight to the last man, but eventually gave up their life in the effort to keep the Purandar fort.
What is the Treaty of Purandar?
During the battle of Purandar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj daunted at the prospect of the fall of his grandfather’s fort, signed a treaty known as the “First Treaty of Purandar” with Aurangzeb in 1665.
According to the Treaty of Purandar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj handed over the following twenty-three forts including Purandar and a territory with revenue of four lakh Hons (gold coins):
1)Purandar, 2)Vajragad, 3) Kodhana, 4)Rohida, 5)Lohagad, 6)Visapur, 7)Tikona, 8)Tung, 9)Prabalgad, 10)Mahuli, 11)Bhandargad, 12)Manaranjan, 13)Kohoj, 14)Karnala, 15)Songad, 16)Palasgad, 17)Nardurg, 18)Margagad, 19)Vasantgad, 20)Nangagad, 21)Ankola, 22)Sagargad, and 23)Maangad
When was Purandar Fort captured?
In 1670 A.D, the truce did not last long as Shivaji Maharaj revolted against Aurangzeb and just like Kondhana and other forts, He also recaptured Purandar after just five years and rebuild the Swarajya.
Second Treaty of Purandar
The fifth Chhatrapati of Maratha and son of Sambhaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj handed over the reigns of the fort to Peshwas under the Shake in 1695. Under the Peshwa rule, the fort acted as a stronghold whenever their capital city of Pune was under attack.
In 1776 A.D, a treaty was signed between the British Raj and the Maratha States are known as the “Second Treaty of Purandar”. Based on the terms of the accord, the British were able to secure Salsette.
Its conditions were never fulfilled and being overruled by the subsequent Treaty of Salbai in 1782 between the Bombay Government and Raghunathrao, under its terms, the Company retained control of Salsette and Broach, at the close of the First Anglo-Maratha War.
Purandar under British Rule
On 14 March 1818, a British garrison marched into Vajragad. As Vajragad commanded Purandar, the commandant of the fort had to accept terms, and the British flag was hoisted at Purandar on 16 March 1818. During the British Raj, the fort was used as a prison.
During World War II, it was an internment camp for enemy-alien (i.e. German) families. Therefore, it would be interesting that many of the Germans today calls Purandar their birthplace.
Indian Army Base, Purandar Fort
After Independence, fort went to under Indian Army and now there also functioned a National Cadet Corps (N.C.C.) Training unit at the top of Purandar.
For more detail history of Purandar Fort
Which District is Purandar in?
Gherapurandar is a medium size village located in Purandar Taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra with total 136 families residing. It is about 10 km south-west of Saswad region of Pune.
The village of Purandar takes its name from the fort. It takes about three hours to complete the trek to Purandar fort from the base village.
Which Type of Fort is Purandar?
Perched on a gigantic mountain mass, Purandar height above sea-level is 1398 meters and about 700 meters above the plain at its foot.
Fort is situated so peculiarly that on one side it has a high rainfall zone and on another side, it has a low rainfall zone. This has resulted in different micro-climates and ultimately into wide Floral and Faunal Diversity.
Being quite a huge one, it was a good place for defense and had the capacity to house many soldier-troops, foods grains, and ammunition which proved sufficient for long duration wartime.
There are two distinct levels at the fort: the upper level is the Ballekilla and the lower level is the Machi.
Purandar Fort Map
What is Special about Purandar Fort?
There are many monuments, old and new, on the both Machi and Balekiila of Purandar fort.
Murargate
This first entrance made by Indian Army in the honor of Veer Murarbaji Deshpande. It is use for the checkpoint purposes before entering into the fort.
Machi of Purandar
The overall length of the Machi is one mile, and the width is 100 to 150 feet. The northern part of the Machihas several monuments and entrances with bastions to keep watch on surroundings.
Abanded Church and Bungalow
Both are at the start of the fort. It is believed that when British captured this fort, they made a church and Bungalow at the top.
Lord Dutta Mandir of Purandar
Statue of Veer Murarbaji Deshpande
This statue of Murarbaji Deshpande, the commander of the fort standing in his fighting stance gives us the feel of his courageous and fight hard nature.
Samadhi of Veer Murarbaji Deshpande
There is tomb of Veer Murarbaji Deshpande is just behind of his statue. The tomb appears as Temple like structure that having two sculptures inside it.
Binni Darwaja Of Purandar
While trekking to the fort from Narayanpur village, you will directly enter into Machi of the fort through this entrance.
The entrance is still in good condition. There is a guard window which is called ‘Paharekaryancha Devadya’ in Marathi and the temple at one side of the entrance. A rock-cut exposed steps at one end of the entrance that takes you to the top of the entrance where the Bhagwa (Orange flag of Maratha) is hoisted.
Ancient Bungalow
When you are on the straight road, you see army barracks on the other side and this bungalow on the ramp.
Lord Shiva Mandir of Purandar
Purandereshwar Mandir
On the way forward, a ‘Hemadic’ style Purandeshwar temple is seen on the right side of the citadel.
Purandareshwar is the fort’s patron god and another Avatar of Lord Shiva. Peshwa Bajirao I had reconstructed this temple.
Rameshwar Peshawa Mandir
This was a private temple of Peshwa. It having the small temples of Lord Hanuman and also Lord Shiva as with the warrior sculpture placed outside of it.
Bhairav Khind
At the end of the Machi on the east, The Khind that connect Purandar fort with Vajragad where the statue of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj can be seen.
Lakshmi Mandir of Purandar
There is a small temple of Goddess Lakshmi at just ahead of Dilli Darwaja.
Hanuman Sculpture in Purandar
This is another feature of the fort which sculptured at the fortified wall which is in front of Gaumukhi Dilli Darwaja of the fort.
Dilli Darwaja of Purandar
This is the north-facing main entrance of the Purandar. This entrance is Gaumukhi type entrance means another the fortified wall is built in front of the entrance so that no invader can see or attack this entrance.
Ganesh Darwaja of Purandar
After coming inside the Dilli Darwaza, there is another huge entrance is seen at the right which is Ganesh Entrance. Connected with the Ganesh entrance, a huge rock wall extending southwards like a cliff.
Bawata Buruj
Bastion on the Ganesh Darwaja called Bawata Buruj on which another flag is hoisted.
Shendrya Buruj
It is the highest bastion of the Purandar build in alignment with the fortified wall which is North-west to the citadel on the lower Balekilla region.
Raajgadi of Purandar
Coming into center of the lower region of the Balekilla of the fort, you can see remnants or ruins of Raajgadi.
Stairs of Purandar
From the lower level, a ‘Stairways to Heaven’ leads to the upper level of Balekilla of the fort.
Balekilla of Purandar
The upper level of the fort is also surrounded by a steep drop on three sides. This area also houses an ancient Kedareshwar Mandir.
Kedareshwar Mandir
The most important monuments, on the summit of the hill, is the old temple of Kedareshwar which is also the main deity of Purandar.
‘Deepastambha’, a stone pillar for enlightening the lamps can be seen in front of the temple.
Koknya Buruj
At the end of the temple, there is a fortified bastion on eastward called as ‘Koknya Bastion’.
On safety purposes, Military has closed routes to several fortifications of the fort like Khandakada, Kedar Darwaja, Bawachi Machi and Fatte Bastions.
Vajragad – Twin Fort of Purandar
Towards the east of the terrace, beyond a narrow ridge, lies the fort of Vajragad also called Rudramal. The entry for Vajragad has been closed due to a recent landslide. There is one a Lord Hanuman temple with several water tanks remains on the fort.
How to Get Purandar Fort?
MUMBAI – PUNE – SASWAD – NARAYANPUR – GHERAPURANDAR – PURANDAR FORT.
Which Railway Station is near to Purandar Fort?
The cheapest and convenient way to reach the Pune is via railways as nearest railhead to Purandar is Pune Railway station (approx. 60 kms) which is well connected to other parts of the country.
How to Reach Purandar Fort from Pune?
From Pune, reaching Purandar fort using public transport is a bit challenging as there is no direct transport available to the fort.
From Pune Railway station, first, you have to catch the local bus that will take you to the Pune State Transport ST Bus stand.
Now you have two ways:
- Catch Bhor or Kaparhol ST and get down at Narayanpur Village (Less Frequent)
- Catch Saswad ST and get down at Saswad ST stand and then catch Kaparhol or Bhor ST and get down at Lord Dutta Mandir in Naryanpur Village (More Frequent)
After getting down at Narayanpur stop, you will have to walk to the straight muddy path through local’s house and then farming fields of Narayanpur village.
After half an hour of the walk, the muddy path meets the main tar the road that directly goes to the fort via Murargate.
This journey from Narayanpur stop to Army checkpoint gate is 6.5km – 1 hour)
Can we take car to Purandar Fort?
If you have any private vehicle, you can skip this walk of 6.5km and directly reach Murargate because of the motorable Purandar road.
Is Purandar Fort Difficult?
Purandar fort trek is an easy level trek and recommended to all age bar.
Purandar trek by natural trail from Narayanpur village that goes to Binni Darwaja is now closed by the army for safety purpose and the only way to reach the fort is by the tar road through Murargate.
What is Rules and Regulations for Purandar Fort?
After arriving at Murargate via any mode of transportation, the army officer will ask you to provide a valid Government ID evidence and a driver’s license (if you are driving your own vehicle).
Entry without a valid ID is banned. So remember to bring a photo ID card.
Collect the token at the checkpoint and keep it safe throughout the travel; when you return, show it at the gate for checkout.
What is the time of Purandar killa?
Keep note that entry time for the fort is 9 AM and exit time is 5 PM. So plan your journey accordingly.
The area is under Indian army control so photography is prohibited only of their property and personals.
How Long is the Trekking at Purandar?
The fortress area is huge, with numerous defenses and temples to visit. It takes approximately 2-3 hours to explore the Purandar Fort.
After checkpoint, continue to walk on the cement road towards the Machi that gives you positive vibes in monsoon. You will first see fortifications such as an Ancient Church, followed by temples such as Purandeshwar Mandir at the end of the Machi.
The fort’s major attraction, however, is the statue and Samadhi of Veer Murarbaji Deshpande. Remembering his gallantry during the war would undoubtedly give us goosebumps.
There is a local Canteen just after the Lord Shiva Mandir where you can do your breakfast of local food. At the end of Canteen and from the signboard of Purandar fort, you have to take right and start ascending toward Balekila.
After steep ascending on several zigzag natural trails, you will reach the main entrance of the fort Dilli Darwaja from where the first structure of the Balekilla that comes into view.
Exploring further, there are several ruins of old buildings, water tanks, and rock steps in the lower Balekila region.
A staircase from the Machi leads to the Balekilla, one of the greatest attractions inside the fort.
The top of the fort having the Kedareshwar Temple. Several devotees of Lord Shiva visit the Kedareshwar Temple every year, especially on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri.
View from Purandar Top
Surrounded by a lush green landscape, Purandar Fort offers some of the most beautiful and breathtaking views of the picturesque valley and area below.
MACRO-CLICKS
Why Purandar Fort is under army?
Purandar Fort is unique in that it is under the control of the Indian Army. Because of the Indian Army’s strict restrictions, Purandar Fort is the cleanest and safest fort among others. We believe that this should be applied to all other Maharashtra forts as well because to preserve the forts properly, tourists must be disciplined when visiting such historical sites.
Indian Army Officers can direct you in the right path in the fort and treat you well, but they can also search your belongings if they feel any suspect in you. We must accept their regulations quietly, as they are performing their duties. It is our responsibility as citizens to respond appropriately.
Is Stay allowed in Purandar Fort?
Staying and Camping is not allowed as there are a strict entry and exit time for visiting the fort.
In case if you are traveling from a faraway place, you can either stay at the hotels in Narayanpur or in Saswad.
In emergency cases, shelters on the fort available in military camps/bungalows situated on the fort. Note that prior permission of the officers is needed to get this accommodation.
Food Facilities in Purandar Fort
Canteen at Machi, which only serves onion bhaji, vada-pavs, packaged chips, tea and water.
Otherwise, carry your own food and sufficient water for the trek.
CAR PARKING
There is one car parking inside the Murargate (Chargeable) and outside the Murargate (Non-Chargeable) and the other is at the end of the Machi.
Which Month is Best for Purandar Fort?
The region in and around Purandar fort experiences a bearable climate throughout the year, and hence it is a year-round destination. But the rainy season which lasts from July to September is the best time to visit the fort as the surroundings are lush green and the weather is very pleasant. This is the period when the natural beauty in and around the region is at its peak.
For the most part of the day, the surroundings won’t be visible from the fort due to heavy fog and hence October to February will be a perfect time to visit the fort if you looking to have a glimpse of the nearby regions
Nearby Places to Purandar Fort
Sahyadri which stretch along the north-south direction, also have ranges that branch off eastward. On one of it is Sinhagad stands and the same range continues for 24 Km before terminating at Bhuleshwar. The Prestigious ‘Purandar’ lies on this range along with Vajragad. From Sinhagad, we have to travel across Katraj Ghat, Bapdeo Ghat and Dive Ghat to reach up to the foothills of the Purandar. If sky is clear then you get a view of Sinhagad, Rajgad and Torna fort.
The thousand-year-old Narayaneshwar temple of the Hemadpanthi architecture built by the Yadavas still exists at Narayanpur stop.
Final Thought on PURANDAR FORT
“It’s not just about the points of interest that will delight you,
it’s the overall surrounding, ambiance, aroma, and history which will make you fall in love with the Purandar Fort”
Hope you like our exahustive information about Purandar Fort?
Tell us about your thoughts by like and comments below.
CONTACT US
If you can’t find what you’re looking for on the website, please get in touch with us.
KEEP WANDERING…
All content copyright © present Wandering Maharashtra. All rights reserved.
