Pratapgad

About Pratapgad

Pratapgad (also transcribed Pratapgarh or Pratapgadh) is a large fort located in Satara district, in the state of Maharashtra in India. Significant as the site of the Battle of Pratapgad, the fort is now a popular tourist destination.Pratapgad is 27 kms from Mahabaleshwar on Mahad Road. It is very important fort as the major fight with Afzal Khan took place here on 10’th November 1659. In 1656 Ch. Shivaji Maharaj built this fort. The height of this fort is 3543 feet above sea level. Also temple of Tulja Bhavani has been built here by Ch. Shivaji Maharaj. You can have vast look out of Hundreds of kilometer area right from Konkan.

The fort can be divided into the lower fort and upper fort.The upper fort was built upon the crest of the hill. It is roughly square, 180m long on each side. It has several permanent buildings, including a temple to the god Mahadev. It is located at the northwest of the fort, and is surrounded by sheer cliffs with drops of up to 250m.The lower fort is around 320m long and 110m wide. It is located at the southeast of the fort, and is defended by towers and bastions ten to twelve metres high.The Afzul tower extends out from the fort proper and defends the approach to the fort. It is said to have been constructed after the Battle of Pratapgad, and Afzul Khan’s head is said to be buried under the tower.

In 1661, Shivaji was unable to visit the temple of the goddess Bhavani at Tuljapur. He decided to dedicate a temple to the goddess at this fort itself. This temple is on the eastern side of the lower fort. The shrine is made of stone, and contains a clothed black stone image of the goddess. The roof of the temple is flat inside, but covered in lead covering put up by the Satara Raja Pratapsinh (1818-1839). A small spire or shikhar covers the shrine.

A darga of Afzul Khan is located a short while away from the fort to the south-east.

History

This fort was initially recognised as the Bhorpya hill until Shivaji Maharaj completely reconstructed it, which was later recognised as �PRATAPGAD�. The construction of this fort was done under supervision of Shivaji Maharajas Prime Minister, Moropant Trimbak Pingle. (Prime Minister was recognised as Peshwea during those days. Peshwea was used as Title then).

This fort has got significant historic importance due to the the famous temple of Bhavani Mata, constructed by Shivaji Maharaj and the event of Assassination of Afzalkhan on it.

Pratapgad (also transcribed Pratapgarh or Pratapgadh) is a large fort located in Satara district, in the state of Maharashtra in India. Significant as the site of the Battle of Pratapgad, the fort is now a popular tourist destination.The Maratha king Shivaji commissioned Moropant Trimbak Pingle, his prime minister, to undertake the construction of this fort in order to defend the banks of the Nira and the Koyna rivers, and to defend the Par pass. It was completed in 1656.

The Battle of Pratapgarh between Shivaji and Afzal Khan was fought below the rampants of this fort on November 10, 1659. This was the first major test of the fledgling kingdom’s army, and set the stage of the establishment of the Maratha empire.Pratapgad continued to be involved in regional politics. Sakharam Bapu, a well-known minister of Pune, was confined by his rival Nana Phadnis in Pratapgad in 1778. He was later moved from fort to fort until he finally died at Raigad. In 1796, Nana Phadnis, while escaping from the intrigues of Daulatrao Shinde and his minister Baloba, assembled a strong garrison in Pratapgad before heading to Mahad.

In 1818, as part of the Third Anglo-Maratha War, Pratapgad surrendered by private negotiation. This was a great loss to the Maratha forces, as Pratapgad was an important stronghold, had a large garrison, and could annoy much of the country round Wai.A 17-foot high equestrian bronze statue of Shivaji was unveiled by Javaharlal Nehru, then Prime Minister of India, on the 30th November 1957, the same year a road was constructed by the Public Works Department from Kumbhrosi village up to fort. A guest house and a national park were built inside the fort in 1960.

The fort is currently owned by Udayan Raje Bhosale, the heir of the Satara princely state.

Interesting things to Visit

Makarangarh Fort
Makarangarh fort is also known as Saddle-Back since it looks like the back of a saddle. It is situated at a height of 1232 metres. One can reach this fort by foot from the Ghonaspur village. Mallikarjun temple is situated in this fort. The two peaks are Makarangarh and Madhugarh. The Madhugarh peak is very dangerous to climb on. The main attraction of Makarangarh is that one can view the Konkan Valley on one side and Mahableshwar on the other side.

Ramvardayeeni Temple
This temple is situated in the village named Paar which lies on the way to Pratapgadh at a distance of about 18 km from Mahableshwar. In the olden days this place was the checkpost for paying the excise duty for the merchants.

Tomb of Afzalkhan
Fort Pratapgad is also famous for the meeting of Shivaji and Afzalkhan where Shivaji had to kill Afzalkhan in self-defence.

Darbar (court)
Here would gather Shivaji’s small darbar. Neighbouring chiefs would come to visit Shivaji and the meeting would take place in this darbar. It is in this court only that Shivaji gave punishment to the traitor “Khandoji Khopde” by giving the command to cut off his left hand and right leg. Criminals would be treated in a similar fashion during Shivaji’s reign.

Steep Cliffs
Serious crimes had only one punishment- Death. The criminal would be tied up with ropes , put in a sack and would be thrown down the cliff.

Tehalni Buruj (Watch-Tower) :
This is on the western side of the fort. This fortified place is adjacent to the currently existing vehicle parking bay. This Watch-tower was used to keep an eye on the enemy in the surrounding area.

Mahadarwaja :
A road on the left side of the Watch-tower takes us to the entrance steps of the fort. Mahadarwaja lies here in between the two bastions. Cannon can be seen placed at this door. After taking a left turn from this door, two other doors are visible but they are not in use any more.

Rahat Lake :
There are total four lakes on the fort, Rahat lake being the largest among them. On the eastern bastion lie the ponds known as Naske Tale and Gode Tale.

Cultural Library :
Some recently established refreshment centers can be seen while moving towards citadel. Within those establishments, on a higher platform, is situated a cultural library. It displays olden coins, dresses of people of those days and vintage paintings of Marathi-style. One can also view a 15minutes slide show arranged by the library officials which gives us information about Pratapgad in brief.

Temple of Lord Hanuman :
This temple lies before the entrance door of citadel. The idol of Lord Hanuman was established by Samarth Ramdas Swami.

Sadar, A Meeting Platform :
As you enter through the door of the citadel, you come across an open space. This is called as Sadar. Important meetings and discussions used to take place on this Sadar. Opposite to this lies the Kedareshwar Temple.

Nearest Visiting places

• Table Land
• Wonder Point
• Dhom Dam
• Sidney Point
• Parsi Point
• TAPOLA ( BOAT CLUB )

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

• BRIGHTLAND HOLIDAY VILLAGE MAHABALESHWAR
• Hotels Mahabaleshwar
• Valley View Resort
• Lots of cheap Hotels available too.

Help Line/Phone Number

Ozarde Waterfalls is located in Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary of Satara District. Surrounded by thick forests, it is an ideal destination for a day-long picnic. Ozarde water fall in national forest preserve area that is replete with many Ayurvedic plants, trees and herbs.Have to walk good three kms and climb through mountain slopes to see the water fall from a close distance……more

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Location info

• Address:27 kms from Mahabaleshwar

• District: Satara district

• Nearest City: Mahabaleshwar

• Best time to visit: Any Time

Things to do at Pratapgad

Can take photos and admire to beauty of the place.

How to reach Pratapgad

• Nearest Railway Station:Mahabaleshwar/Satara.

• Nearest Airport:Munmbai International Airport

• Road Transport:By road eight miles west of Mahabaleshwar

Things to carry

Mineral water bottles, food, first aid kit,camera and so on

Best time to visit Pratapgad

October to March: cool and pleasant weather ideal for trekking. Avoid monsoon (June–September) as trails become slippery and dangerous.

Timings & opening hours

Typically open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Some forts may close earlier during monsoon or for maintenance.

Entry fee & tickets

Free entry for most hill forts. ASI-protected forts may charge INR 25 for Indians and INR 300 for foreign nationals.

Duration needed

3–4 hours including trek to the top and exploration. Larger forts may require a full day.

Safety tips

Wear sturdy footwear with good grip. Carry sufficient water — many forts have no water sources on top. Do not climb on unstable walls or edges. Start the trek early in the morning to avoid afternoon heat. Inform someone about your trek plan.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Pune International Airport (PNQ) or Mumbai International Airport (BOM). Nearest railway station: Pune Railway Station or nearest station on the Central Railway. Well-connected by road from Pune and Mumbai.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Most hill forts in Maharashtra have local snack stalls at the base serving pithla bhakri, vada pav, and tea. Carry food for longer treks — many forts on hilltops have no facilities. The nearest village or town offers Maharashtrian thali meals.

Climate & weather

Maharashtra has a diverse climate spanning coastal Konkan, the Western Ghats, and the interior Deccan plateau. Winter (November–February) is the best time to visit: temperatures range from 12°C to 30°C depending on region. Summer (March–June) is hot, with interior areas reaching 40°C+ while hill stations (Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala) remain pleasant. The monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall to the coast and ghats but transforms the landscape into lush green. October–November is pleasant post-monsoon.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road to Pratapgad. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading to remote areas, especially hill forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to trek to the top? The trek to most forts takes 1–3 hours depending on the fort’s height and the trail condition. Some forts have road access up to the entrance.

Is there food and water available on the fort? Most forts have no facilities on top. Carry at least 2 litres of water per person and some snacks. Local stalls at the base village sell refreshments.

Can I visit during monsoon? Many forts are open year-round but trails become extremely slippery during monsoon. November to February offers the best trekking conditions.

Quick facts

• Location: Maharashtra
• Best time to visit: October to March for comfortable exploration
• Ideal duration: 1-2 hours to explore the site
• Entry: Nominal entry fee at most ASI-protected sites
• Photography: Allowed at most sites; videography may require permit

Map & location view

• Destination: Pratapgad
• State: Maharashtra, India
• Region: historical region of Maharashtra
• How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
• Google Maps: Search for “Pratapgad, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.

Photo gallery of Pratapgad

Photos coming soon. In the meantime, you can find images of Pratapgad on popular travel photography sites and social media.