Shivneri Fort, Military fort in Junnar, India
Shivneri Fort is a hill fortress on a triangular plateau in Pune district, India. Seven winding gates lead through thick mud walls up to the summit, where remains of living quarters and water tanks cover the hilltop.
Builders raised the site in the 17th century as a mountain outpost in the western Ghats. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born here in 1630, later founding the Maratha kingdom that shaped this region.
The name Shivneri comes from a word meaning goddess, pointing to the mountain's sacred role before builders raised the walls. Visitors today can see meeting halls and small shrines that show how soldiers and their families once lived here.
The climb from Junnar takes about an hour, with visitors navigating stone steps and steep sections. Morning or late afternoon works best, when the sun is less intense and the path more comfortable.
Two springs named Ganga and Yamuna emerge inside the walls and flow all year round. This natural supply was crucial for defense and allowed residents to survive long sieges.
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