Pratapgad Fort, Satara, Maharashtra

 We  had this awesome road  trip to Mahabaleshwar during the winter season...and  as always we also explored some surrounding areas too. One of them was Pratapgad fort which is about 22 km from Mahabaleshwar. As we were travelling by our own car we didn't have any problem regarding transport. You can park your vehicle down and hire a guide just like us, we hired one and he gave lot of information about the fort :) ( there are plenty of them )... Its okay if u haven't carried anything to eat or drink ..as there are some stalls on top where u could enjoy some snacks or cocum sharbat, jamun sharbat (juice).

   

  As u can see here u have to climb quite a few steps to reach

the upper part of the fort. The fort is about 1080 meters above

sea level. This fort was built in 1656 , Shivaji's Minister Moropant

   Trimbak Pingle followed the royal command given by Shivaji Maharaj, 

   and along with Chief Engineer Hiroji Indulkar turned this plan into reality.

        

Many strategies were used for protection and security of the fort  against the enemies.

   Secret door

     Tulja Bhavani Temple

 
   

Shivaji Maharaja was devotee of  Goddess Tulja Bhavani.

             
           
  Some Cannons used by Shivaji's army, they are said to be very heavy.

                                
                             

   Lord Hanuman temple

                         
                          

Lord  Mahadeva Temple

   

A very famous Afzalkhan (army chief served Adil shah dynasty, Bijapur) and

Chatrapati Shivaji meeting wherein Afzalkhan was killed by Shivaji Maharaja

by his tiger claws (metal claws attached to fingers) was on this fort.  Afzalkhan

  tried to stab Shivaji with his dagger while pretending to hug him, but Shivaji Maharaja

was saved as he was wearing armour which protected him, he then in self defense

killed Afzalkhan with his tiger claws. Afzalkhan tomb ( burial )as well as of his

bodyguard Sayyad Banda is at foot of the fort. Due to some issues it is now

closed for visitors.

           
               

 People who were caught for betrayal or for other serious crime 

were tied in a sack and thrown from the hill.

17 foot high bronze statue of Shivaji Maharaja.

                                        Presentation outside a Cocum sharbat stall,

                                                 in order to attract customers  :D

 Shops selling beautiful hats, key chains, posters, handicrafts 

made form sea shells were common. 

(That's my hand :P )

                        
                             

   Lower part of the fort.