Lohagad ("the Iron fort") is one of the many hill forts of Chatrapati Shivaji. It is situated 52 km from Pune in western India. Lohagad is at an elevation of 3,450 feet (1,052 m). A hill fort is a fortified refuge or defended settlement, located to exploit a rise in elevation for military advantage. ... This article needs cleanup. ... , Pune (Marathi: पुणे; pronunciation: ) is a city located in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. ... Basic Definition In geography, the elevation of a geographic location is its height above mean sea level (or some other fixed point). ...

Lohagad covered in mist during the monsoon

Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2592 × 1944 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2592 × 1944 pixel, file size: 1. ... Monsoon in the Vindhya mountain range, central India A monsoon is a rainy season which lasts for several months and has lasting climatic effects. ...

Geography

It divides the basins of the Indrayani and Pavna rivers and is situated on a side range of the Sahyadris. Another fort called Visapur is located close to Lohagad, on its eastern side. The four large gates of Lohagad are still in good condition and reasonably intact. Historical records show that in the later Peshwa period, Nana Fadanis (1742-1800 AD) built several structures in the fort such as a big tank and a step-well (bawali). On top of the fort, there is also a small temple and a grave of a muslim pir. The Western Ghats or Sahyadri mountains run along the western edge of Indias Deccan Plateau, and separate the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. ... The Maratha Empire at its peak in 1760 The Peshwa(Marathi:पेशवे or पेशवा) (also known in Marathi as Peshwe) were Brahmin Prime Ministers to the Maratha Chattrapatis (Kings), who began commanding Maratha armies and later became the hereditary rulers of the Maratha empire of central India from 1749 to 1818. ...

On the west side, there is a long and narrow wall-like fortified spur called Vinchukata in Marathi (scorpion sting) because of its natural shape. ^[1] Marathi is one of the widely spoken languages of India, and has a long literary history. ... Superfamilies Pseudochactoidea Buthoidea Chaeriloidea Chactoidea Iuroidea Scorpionoidea See classification for families. ...

History

Lohagad has a long history with several dynasties occupying it at different periods of time: Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Nizamshahis, Mughals and Marathas. Shivaji captured it in 1648 AD, but he was forced to surrender it to the Mughals in 1665 AD by the Treaty of Purandar. Shivaji recaptured the fort in 1670 AD and used it for keeping his treasury. It is said that when Shivaji raided Surat, all the wealth was brought to this fort under the supervision of Netaji Palkar. Legend has it that Shivaji's treasure still lies buried in and around the fort but no evidence of this has been uncovered so far. Approximate extent of the Satavahana Empire, circa 150 CE. The Sātavāhanas, also known as the Andhras, were a dynasty which ruled in Southern and Central India starting from around 230 BCE. Although there is some controversy about when the dynasty came to an end, the most liberal estimates... The Chalukya Dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled parts of southern India between 550 and 750, and again between 973 and 1190. ... The Rashtrakutas were a dynasty which ruled the Deccan during the 8th-10th centuries. ... The Yadava Dynasty ruled a kingdom in what is now Maharashtra, India from the 12th century to the 14th century. ... The Mughal Empire (alternative spelling Mogul, which is the origin of the word Mogul) of India was founded by Babur in 1526, when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans at the First Battle of Panipat. ... Extent of the Maratha Confederacy ca. ... Shivaji Bhosle, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी राजे भोसले) (19-02-1627 to 03-04-1680) was the founder of Maratha empire in western India in 1674. ... The Mughal Empire (alternative spelling Mogul, which is the origin of the word Mogul) of India was founded by Babur in 1526, when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans at the First Battle of Panipat. ... The Treaty of Purandar may be referring to one of the articles below. ... Shivaji Bhosle, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी राजे भोसले) (19-02-1627 to 03-04-1680) was the founder of Maratha empire in western India in 1674. ... Year 1670 (MDCLXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... Shivaji Bhosle, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी राजे भोसले) (19-02-1627 to 03-04-1680) was the founder of Maratha empire in western India in 1674. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... Netaji Palkar was the first Sarnaubat (Commander-in-chief) in the army of Shivaji, the legendary king in 17th century India. ...

Shivaji also used this fort to keep a close watch on Konkan and Bhor Ghat from these forts.^{[citation needed]} Shivaji Bhosle, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle (Marathi: छत्रपती शिवाजी राजे भोसले) (19-02-1627 to 03-04-1680) was the founder of Maratha empire in western India in 1674. ... It has been suggested that History of the Konkan be merged into this article or section. ... Bhor is a city and a municipal council in Pune district in the state of Maharashtra, India. ...

The adjoining fort, Visapur, is larger and at a greater elevation than Lohagad. This height advantage was used by the British troops in 1818 AD who set up their canons on Visapur and bombarded Lohagad, thereby forcing the Marathas to leave. Extent of the Maratha Confederacy ca. ...

The fort

Lohagad is a fairly large fort. This is one of the better preserved forts in the region, and many of its distinctive medieval defense features can be seen during the serpentine winding ascent to the top. From the nearby village, there are four doors to the top of Lohagad: Ganesh Darwaja, Narayan Darwaja, Hanuman Darwaja, and Maha Darwaja. All the doors are still quite strong and in good condition. Of the four forts, the Hanuman Darwaja is the oldest; the remaining three doors were built by [[Nana Phadnavis[[. Maha Darwaja has a few sculptures.

Between the second and third doors, there are some cellars that were (probably) used as granaries. After entering the Maha Darwaja, a structure containing some tombs can be seen. There is a spacious rock cut cave called the Lomesh Rishi Cave along the fortification. There are several water tanks with one of them having a natural spring in it containing fresh clean water. Granary at Thiruparaithurai, Kumbakonam (old temple town), built around 1600-1634 A granary is a storehouse for threshed grain or animal feed. ...

On top of the fort, there is a a Mahadev temple adjacent to which is a tank with steps descending to the water.

How to reach the fort

Route to Lohagad via Bhaje Caves. Lohagad can be seen in the distance.

From Mumbai, you can take a train to Lonavla. Malawli is the next station from Lonavla in the direction toward Pune. There are a number of local trains operating between Lonavla and Pune; you can take any of them. From Pune, you can take any of these locals. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2592 × 1944 pixel, file size: 969 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Picture of Lohagad taken by Dennis Daniel on 17 06 07, and used with his permission. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2592 × 1944 pixel, file size: 969 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Picture of Lohagad taken by Dennis Daniel on 17 06 07, and used with his permission. ... , “Bombay” redirects here. ... Lonavla is a hill station in the western state of Maharashtra in India. ... Lonavla is a hill station in the western state of Maharashtra in India. ... Lonavla is a hill station in the western state of Maharashtra in India. ... , Pune (Marathi: पुणे; pronunciation: ) is a city located in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. ... , Pune (Marathi: पुणे; pronunciation: ) is a city located in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. ...

From Malawli railway station, the fort is just 9 km away. Vehicles can go up to the foot of the hill. From here, which is near a village called Lohagaon, there are steps to the fort, numbering approximately 500. Fortifications (Latin fortis, strong, and facere, to make) are military constructions designed for defensive warfare. ...

However, people can also walk all the way till the fort. This walk is a particular favorite of trekkers, especially in the monsoon. It is a simple and easy trek and the distance from Malawli station to Lohagaon can be done in around 2-2.5 hrs. The trekking route is not very treacherous even when it rains and even inexperienced climbers can easily walk till the fort enjoying the particularly picturesque scenery; lush green grass, cool mountain air, and the pleasant salubrious climate. A variety of birds and insects can also be spotted in these hills. Fortifications (Latin fortis, strong, and facere, to make) are military constructions designed for defensive warfare. ...

When it rains, the top of the fort is covered with mist and clouds and becomes particularly wet. It is advisable to carry protective gear during the rainy season (mid-June to mid-September). Further, food is not easily available on the route. Most of the food stalls sell water, poha, tea/coffee, snacks, and soft drinks.

There is a wonderful view of Pawna dam from the top the fort.

Places nearby

• Malawali railway station.
• Mumbai-Pune Expressway (10 km).
• Bhaja Caves (2 km from Malawali), once home to Buddhist monks.
• Karla Caves.
• Lonavala hill station (20 km).

The Mumbai-Pune Expressway as seen from Khandala The Mumbai-Pune Expressway (Marathi: मुंबई-पुणे द्रुतगती महामार्ग) is Indias first six-lane concrete, high-speed tolled expressway. ... Bhaja Caves, near the Karla Caves, are a group of 18 rock-cut caves dating back to 200 BC. located near Lonavala, a hill station, in the western state of Maharashtra between the cities of Mumbai and Pune in India. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by... Karli (also Karla) is a town on the highway between Pune and Mumbai in southern Maharashtra in India. ... Lonavala or Lonavla (Marathi: लोणावळा) is a hill station in the western state of Maharashtra in India. ... Kalimpong town as viewed from a distant hill. ...

External links

• Lohagad at MTDC site
• Trekking to Lohagad
• Lohagad Photos

References

1. ^ http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/MTDC/HTML/MaharashtraTourism/Default.aspx?strpage=../MaharashtraTourism/TouristDelight/Forts/LohagarhVisapurfort.html