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Vishalgad Fort

Vishalgad Fort

heritage site · Maharashtra

State
Maharashtra
Type
Heritage Site

Vishalgad (also called Khelna) is a hill fort in Bhudargad taluka of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, historically important as the refuge Shivaji Maharaj reached after the Battle of Pavan Khind.

Vishalgad Fort is known for

Battle of Pavan Khind siteBaji Prabhu Deshpande's sacrificeShivaji's 1659 captureancient Shilahara-era originsKolhapur district hill fort

A short history

The fort's Shilahara-era construction dates to roughly 1178-1209 CE under the dynasty's final ruler Bhoja II. Control passed through the Yadavas, the Surves of Konkan, and the Bahamani general Mahmud Gawan (1471), later contested among the Vijayanagara Empire, the Adil Shahi Sultanate, the Mughals and the Marathas. In 1659, Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort from the Adilshahi and renamed it "Vishalgad" ("grand fort"). In September 1660, after Shivaji's escape from the Siege of Panhala, his rearguard commander Baji Prabhu Deshpande held Pavan Khind pass against Bijapur forces, dying alongside about 700 Marathas once cannon-fire from Vishalgad signalled Shivaji had reached the fort safely. A samadhi (memorial) to Baji Prabhu and Phulaji Deshpande stands at the fort today. [Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishalgad; Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Pavan_Khind]

Why Vishalgad Fort matters

Vishalgad is revered nationally as the site marking the end of Baji Prabhu Deshpande's legendary last stand at Pavan Khind, a defining episode of self-sacrifice in Maratha history that secured Shivaji Maharaj's survival.

When to go

Year-round; monsoon brings lush greenery

How to reach

Kolhapur is the nearest railway station, about 76-81 km away via the Amba Ghat route; state transport buses also connect from Kolhapur, Ratnagiri and Belgaum.

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