New Delhi: India has many famous historical forts which have played a crucial role in shaping the journey of this country. While Rajasthan is mainly hailed as the hotspot of some of the most prominent forts in India, Maharashtra is not far behind in this regard. Among the many forts in the state, the Panhala Fort is one of the most significant one and has immense importance. Last year, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Mumbai Circle celebrated World Heritage Day at the Panhala Fort, showcasing the history and heritage of the fort.
Panhala Fort: The stronghold which was controlled by many
Also known as the ‘Fort of Snakes’ due to its zigzag shape, the Panhala Fort is located in Maharashtra’s Panhala which is located at around 20 kilometres northwest of Kolhapur. Its location was of strategic importance as it looks over a pass in the Sahyadri mountain range, a major trade route from the erstwhile Bijapur Sultanate to the coastal areas. Due to its location, the fort was the place of several skirmishes in the Deccan involving the Mughals, the Marathas and the British, notably the Battle of Pavan Khind. Also, it was in this fort that Maharani Tarabai Bhosale spent her formative years.
The Panhala Fort occupies an important places in the history of Maharashtra and is visited by many as a popular hill station spot. In the 12th century, the Shilahara ruler Bhoja II built the fort and later it was controlled by the Yadavas of Devgiri, Bahamani, Adilshahi and subsequently the Marathas. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spent many days in this fort as the Marathas controlled it until the 17t and mid-18th century. Queen Tarabai founded the Panhala throne of the Kolhapur princely state.
When Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj controlled the Panhala Fort
In 1659, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took the Panhala Fort from Bijapur and Adil Shah II of Bijapur sent a vast army to take it back. They laid siege for five months and Shivaji and his troops defended bravely. But in the end, all provisions in the fort were exhausted and Shivaji was on the verge of being captured. The Maratha ruler decided to escape, and he gathered a small army under his trusted commander Baji Prabhu Deshpande. Shivaji escaped from the fort along with others on July 13, 1660, to Vishalgad and Baji Prabhu and the small army kept the enemy engaged in the Battle of Pavan Khind, and the former army was almost wiped out in the war.
The see-saw fate of the Panhala Fort
The Panhala Fort has witnessed many upheavals and it was controlled by the Shilahara dynasty, the Yadavas, the Bahamanis, the Marathas, Devagiri Yadavas, Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur and the Mughals. Under Tarabai, the fort was the Maratha state capital till 1782, and then British conquered it in 1827. From Panhala, one can see the pass that connects the rest of Maharashtra with its coastal areas. The fort can be visited during any season but monsoon is the best time to visit the place. The fort has gates like Chaar Darwaja, Teen Darwaja, Wagh Darwaja and structures like the Nayikinicha Sajja, Ambarkhana, Dharma Kothi, and Sajja Kothi.
Panhala Fort, a significant historical site in Maharashtra, boasts a rich and turbulent past. Strategically located overlooking a vital trade route, it changed hands between various dynasties including the Shilahara, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Marathas, and British. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
