Explore Weekends: February 2013

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Santoshgad Fort or Tathavade - Satara

Tathavade or Santoshgad, hill fort lies in the north-west corner of the Phaltan taluka, about 12 miles south-west of Phaltan, the taluka headquarters! The fort is roughly triangular in shape. The local tradition is that this fort was built by Shivaji the Great (1630-80). In 1666 it was in the hands of Bajaji Naik Nimbalkar. In the same year Chhatrapati Shivaji after the treaty of Purandhar served under Jaysing, the Rajput general of Aurangzeb's army, against Bijapur and with his Mavlas escaladed Tathavade. [Grant Duffs Marathas, Vol. I, 165.] The Bijapur Government again apparently got it back from the Moghals probably by treaty. Chhatrapati Shivaji retook it for himself in 1673 [Grant Duffs Marathas, Vol. I, 202.] And in 1676 he had to retake the open country in its neighborhood, the estate-holders of which were always ready to rebel against him.[ Grant Duffs Marathas, Vol. I, 209.] The fort was taken by the Moghals in 1689. [Grant Duffs Marathas, Vol. I, 273.]. But was ceded to Shahu in 1720 in the imperial grants made to him in that year. [Grant Duffs Marathas, Vol. I, 339] in a revenue statement of about 1790 Tathora appears as the head of a sub-division in the Nahisdurg sarkar with revenue of Rs. 1,120. [Warring's Marathas, 244.] The fort remained in the hands of the Marathas till 1818 when it was shelled by a detachment of General Pritzler's army from the plateau and a spur pointed out about half a mile to the west. A good many of the buildings and part of the walls are said to have been injured by the shelling. The commandant fled at the first few shots, the garrison followed, and the fort was taken. Its elaborate design and considerable strength for the times in which it was built may be explained by the fact that it was close to the Nizam Shahi frontier and of some importance therefore to the Bijapur government, while the constant disturbances in the neighborhood in Chhatrapati Shivajis time would amply account for any additions he made to it.

A story is told that the famous dacoit Umaji Naik (1827) was resting at a spring in the ravine which leads down to the fort from the plateau and that a Brahman on his way to Tathavad passed by with a little grain given him in charity. Umaji called on him to stand and give up what he had. But when he learnt that it was only grain sent him off in peace, entreated his blessings, and gave him Rs. 25

Before visiting to Santoshgad, I visited a place called Nimbhalkar wada in Wathar, a similar pace like Shaniwar wada in Pune and then we moved towards Santoshgad. Santoshgad is around 120kms from Pune. The fort is easy to climb. It takes less than 45 mins to climb the fort. Route to climb the fort is easy and there are no difficult patches in between. This fort can be done in one day.

Best time to Visit:

September to April

What to see?

Bastian, Fortification, Water cisterns.

Water and Food

No water & food on the Fort. There are water tanks on the fort but the water is not good to drink.

Stay / Accommodation

No place to stay on the Fort.

For more photos see link below

https://www.facebook.com/Weekendtravels.in

Santoshgad Fort

Lunch Break @ Santoshgad Fort

Santoshgad Fort

View from Santoshgad Fort

Santoshgad Fort

For more photos see link below

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.424933164291171.1073741904.359767254141096&type=1&l=e707c74895

Reaching Santoshgad Fort from Pune :-

View Larger Map

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Mahimangad Fort - Satara

Mahimangad lies within the village limits of Sindi Budruk about five and a half miles west of Dahivadi. The fort is very easy to climb. The top of the fort can be reached within 30 minutes and the whole fort can be seen in less than hour.

History of Mahimangad Fort

Mahimangad is expressly mentioned as one of the chain forts built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to guard his eastern frontier. This shrine however proves nothing since there are many such unfortified hills with shrines. The masonry is characteristic of the later built forts of Maratha times consisting of small, almost or altogether, uncut stones bound by mortar usually poor but, at the bastions and entrance, of good sound quality. On the same spur about a hundred yards east of the fort is a hill which barely commands it and is connected with it by a neck of the spur. The hamlets at the feet are not walled or protected in any way so that the approach within 250 feet of the top must have been easy enough. To escalade it however must have; been difficult though at the south-east corner by no means impossible. The hereditary garrison consisted of about seventy-five Ramoshis and Mahars who held the gadkari inam lands. The fort had lands assigned for it. The havaldar or former commander of the garrison is now the Patil and the sabnis or accountant is the Kulkarni of the lands which are for purposes of administration as a distinct village called by the name of the fort.

Best time to Visit:

Throughout the Year

What to see?

Bastian, Fortification, Water cisterns, Temple of Hanuman

Water and Food

No water & food on the Fort. Need to carry food and water along with

Stay / Accommodation

No place to stay on the Fort. One can stay at the base village of Mahimangad

Places around

Gondavale, Mayani, Wardhangad

Approximate Distance from Pune

150Kms