Sinhagad Fort - Maharashtra - India

Sinhagad is a fort that stands as a testimony to the bravery of the Maratha warriors under the leadership of Tanaji Malusare, the general of Chhatrapati Shivaji. The previous name of the fort was Kondhana. The massive fort has been the site of wanton bloodshed and great massacres in many a battle. The most famous among them is of course the 1670 battle where Tanaji Malusare sacrificed his life and the Maratha warriors captured the fort. Chhatrapati Shivaji termed Tanaji as “sinha” (Marathi equivalent for English “lion”) and renamed Kondhana as Sinhagad.

The fort lies 30 km southwest of Pune and the construction stands 800 m above the surrounding area. Strategically Sinhagad held immense importance in the Maratha regime as it is located right at the center of the series of other forts like Purandhar, Torna and Rajgad. The fort perches on a cut off cliff of the Bhuleshwar range in the Sahyadri Mountains. It’s altitude from the sea level is about 1350m.

The cenotaphs of Tanaji and Rajaram, Shivaji’s younger brother, military stables, the temple of Goddess Kali and the Hanuman Statue to the right of the temple are a few places worth visiting on the fort.

Among the chief features of the fort, steep slopes, huge walls and bastions are a few important ones. There are two entrances to the fort: Pune Darwaza in North East and Kalyan Darwaza in the South East.

It is one of the most notable historic Fort in Maharashtra state. It is most famous for a long battle by Maratha warrior Tanaji to capture Sinhagad Fort. It was one of the important strategic areas in Pune.

The fort during the reign of the Marathas acted as an important military outpost. The fortification on the fort, now in ruins, still proclaims the grandeur of the architecture and craftsmanship. This is one of the most popular picnic spots in and around Pune. Lovers of adventure arrange treks on the fort which are a real thrill.

How we can reach
Sinhagad in Pune is easily accessible by PCMT buses. Sinhagad fort is located at a distance of 860km from Bangalore, Nagpur 800km, Kolhapur 250km, Mumbai 200km and Ahmedabad 720km respectively.
From Pune to Sinhagad fort
Pune- Swargate- Sinhagad Rd- Khadakwasla- Sinhagad
From Mumbai to Sinhagad fort
Mumbai- Talegaon- Pune bypass highway- Warje- Khadakwasla- Sinhagad
From Kolhapur to Sinhagad fort
Kolhapur- Satara- Pune bypass Rd- Warje- Khadakwasla- Sinhagad