Raigad Fort, Monument of National Importance in Raigad district, India
Raigad Fort is a hilltop fortification in the Sahyadri mountain range of Maharashtra, positioned at 1,356 meters (4,449 feet) elevation. The site spreads across the summit plateau and includes defensive bastions, entrance gates, residential quarters, and open courtyards connected by stone pathways.
Shivaji Maharaj expanded the hilltop site in 1674 and declared it the capital of his newly established realm, holding his coronation ceremony within its walls. The settlement served as the administrative center of the empire until enemy forces captured it in 1689, ending its role as the seat of power.
The name Raigad translates to "fort of kings" and refers to its elevated position above the surrounding valleys. Local guides lead walking tours through the palace ruins, pointing out water cisterns and grain storage chambers that once sustained the royal household.
Climbing the stone stairway takes roughly two hours and passes through steep sections with protective walls on either side. The cable car offers a faster alternative and delivers passengers near the summit in minutes, where wide paths provide access to the building remains.
The bastion called Hirakani Buruj honors a milkmaid who descended the sheer cliffs at night to return home to her infant child after the gates closed. Her courage impressed the ruler so deeply that he named the fortification after her, and the tower still carries her name today.
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