Sinhagad Fort (Kondhana fort) Pune

The Battle of Sinhagad (Kondana Killa) is one of the important events of Shivaji Maharaj's reign. Shivaji had set out to recapture forts lost to the Mughals. It was very important to get Kondana Killa back in that plan. This battle on Sinhagad is known for the sacrifice of Tanaji Malusare.

Shivaji Maharaj had to give 23 forts to Mughals in Purandara's Tah (agreement). The Kondhana fort was prominent in it. After his liberation from Agra, Shivaji Maharaj set out to retake the forts that had gone to the Mughals. Kondhana was a military important place for the Mughals.

Rajgad, the capital of Shivaji Maharaj's kingdom, was only a few miles away. Also, from this place, the Pune area could be well controlled. Therefore, the Mughals had deployed more troops to Kondana fort. The Kondhana fort was handed over to the Rajputs. "Udayabhan Rathod" was a Mughal chief fort keeper. Even Shivaji Maharaj did not want a Mughal presence so close to Rajgad. So it was very necessary to take back this fort.

Marathas would have had to suffer great losses if they decided to have a direct war. The fort is surrounded by a natural rampart of rocky slopes. So Tanaji Malusare chose the hardest side to climb the Kondana Killa where Mughals deployed few troops at this place. Today this place is known as "Tanaji Kada".

Tanaji and some Maratha warriors climbed on the fort. On reaching the top of the fort, a fierce battle broke out between Maratha warriors and the Mughal army. There was a duel between Tanaji Malusare and Udayabhan. In battle, Tanaji's shield was broken while fighting. Still, Tanaji was fighting by wrapping some cloths around his hand as a shield.

After some time, when the Marathas were gaining ground, the injured Tanaji got martyred in battle. Injured Udayabhan could not survive for long. Seeing Tanaji on the ground, Suryaji, the deputy commander of the battle, took command of the battle. Suryaji not only encouraged the Maratha warriors after Tanaji's but also did a brave fight to clinch the Sinhgad fort.

1. The stockpile of ammunition: When you enter inside the fort, on the right side you will see a stockpile of ammunition. On September 11, 1751, the storehouse was struck by lightning. In this accident, the house of the "Phadnis" on the fort was destroyed and all the people in the house died.
2. Kondhaneshwar: This temple belongs to Lord Shiva and was the family deity of the Yadavas. This temple was built in the Yadav period.
3. Shri Amruteshwar Bhairav Mandir: A little further from the Kondhaneshwar temple, on the left is the ancient temple of Amruteshwar. There are two idols Bhairav and Bhairavi in the temple. Bhairava has a demon's head in his hand.
4. Devtake (Water Tank): Behind the Tanaji Monument, on the left-hand side of a small lake, you come across this famous "Devtake". When Mahatma Gandhi came to Pune, he was deliberately asking for water from this tank.
5. Kalyan Darwaza: This door is to the west of the fort.
6. Monument to Udaybhan: Come to the hill at the back of the door. The square stone here is known as the monument of Udaybhan Rathore.
7. Jhunjar Buruj (Best View): Jhunjar Buruj is the southern tip of Sinhagad. From here you can see Rajgad like a hat in front, Torna fort on your right, and Panshet valley. You can also see Purandar fort.
8. Tanaji Kada: You can get back from Jhunjhar Buruj and walk towards Tanaji Kada by the side of the wall. This edge is to the west of the fort. From here, Tanaji climbed up with the Maratha warriors.
9. Rajaram Smarak: You can see the Samadhi of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj. Rajaram Maharaj, who fought against the Mughal forces for 11 consecutive years, died at Sinhagad on Saturday, March 2, 1700, at the age of 30.
10. Monument to Tanaji: Going up the backside of Amruteshwar, you can see the famous monument of Tanaji on the left side