Vajrgad Fort – Historical Information
(Vajrgad Fort Information in English)
• Location:
Vajrgad Fort is located in the Purandar taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra state, in the Sahyadri mountain range, near Saswad. This fort is a twin (associated) fort of Purandar Fort.
• Height:
The average height of this fort is about 1500 meters.
• Routes to Reach Vajrgad Fort:
• Pune is an international city and is well connected to other places by road, railways, and airways. From Pune, Vajrgad Fort is located nearby via the Narayanpur route.
• Vajrgad is a twin fort of Purandar Fort. One can reach Vajrgad from Purandar Fort, but at present, Purandar Fort is under the Indian Military Training Center. Therefore, entry to Purandar Fort is restricted, and access to Vajrgad from Purandar is not allowed.
• Some trekkers travel to Vajrgad Fort via Khomne Vasti, but this route is very difficult.
• From Pune, one can go via Dive Ghat – Saswad route – then reach Narayanpur Road, where the Purandar–Vajrgad junction (phata) is located. From there, proceeding to the foothills of Vajrgad, one can start the trek from Khomne Vasti and reach Vajrgad Fort through a narrow footpath passing through dense forest and bushes.
• Places to See on Vajrgad Fort:
• Khomne Vasti:
This is a small settlement of the Ramoshi community located at the foothills of Vajrgad Fort. From this place, the footpath leading to Vajrgad Fort begins.
During the British period, revolutionary Umaji Naik fought an armed struggle against the British government and unjust landlords. This place provides information about his birth and his activities against the British rule. In his memory, a memorial of Umaji Naik has been constructed here.
• Narrow and Difficult Route:
After visiting the Umaji Naik Memorial, moving ahead toward Vajrgad Fort through a footpath, one encounters a very rough route filled with dense forest, bushes, and uneven terrain. While traveling on this route, it is extremely important to take help from local people, as the path is very challenging and dangerous.
• Fortification (Ramparts) of the Fort:
After climbing through this route and reaching the top, the fort’s ramparts can be seen. These fortifications are still in strong condition, and cannon loopholes (embrasures) can be seen at various places.
• Main Entrance (Mahadarwaja):
Walking along the ramparts, two strong bastions come into view. Near these bastions, a very beautiful stairway with a cow-mouth (Gomukhi) style design can be seen. Proceeding further along this path, a massive, tall stone gateway appears on the inner side. Inside the gateway, guard chambers (devdis) built for the sentries can be seen. The well-preserved devdis and the gateway still stand as witnesses to the medieval period of the fort.
• Rocky Pinnacles (Steep Rock Spurs):
After entering through the main gate (Mahadarwaja) and proceeding ahead along the stepped pathway, tall and steep rocky pinnacles can be seen. Climbing these rocks is very difficult. Below them, in the gaps between the rocks, underground cavities and hollow rock formations are found.
• Rajgadi (Royal Seat):
On the upper part of the rocky platform, a flat seating area can be seen. From this place, the king and other chief officials used to sit and keep watch over the surroundings and issue orders to the Maval soldiers stationed nearby. During the British period, revolutionary Umaji Naik also used this place to sit with his companions and plan strategies against the British government.
• Arched Entrance (Kamani Entrance):
On the fort, some partially collapsed structures can be seen ahead. Over time, many ordinary and thorny cactus plants have grown here. Passing through them, an arched entrance gate can be seen.
• Machi Bastion:
A Machi bastion can be seen on the fort. Due to the passage of time, it has partially collapsed. During the Shivaji era, enemy cannon attacks caused heavy damage to these bastions, resulting in the collapse of many of them.
• Three Water Tanks:
Three water tanks can be seen on Vajrgad Fort. These tanks, built during the medieval period, were the main sources of drinking and utility water on the fort. Even today, ample water can be found here throughout the year, including during the peak summer season.
Near the large water tank, a Maruti (Hanuman) temple can be seen. The beautifully sculpted idol, coated with vermilion (sindoor), is a symbol of strength and devotion.
Close to the Hanuman temple, a Shiva temple can be seen. Although the inner plaster of the roof has partially collapsed, the strong stone construction of this temple still reminds visitors of its historical past. Inside is a Shiva lingam, while Nandi is located outside the temple.
Umaji Naik resided here along with his companions and practiced physical training and strength worship together; therefore, this temple was also referred to as a “Talim.”
• Chorwat (Secret Escape Route):
At one place on the fort, a secret underground passage can be seen running along the fort wall. This passage was very useful for escaping in case of an attack on the fort. As it opens into the forest near a valley, it made it easier to deceive the enemy and escape safely.
• Eastern Armoured Bastion:
On the eastern side of the fort, an armoured bastion with double fortification can be seen. During the medieval period, this bastion was used for the protection of the eastern ramparts, to repel enemy attacks on the fort, and for surveillance. A unique “bastion within a bastion” type of double construction can be observed here.
• Fort Walls (Ramparts):
Due to the passage of time and long neglect of the fort, large portions of the fort walls have collapsed at several places. Dense trees and bushes have grown in some areas, causing many structures to deteriorate over time.
• Bastions:
Many bastions built at the weaker points of the fort are now found in a collapsed condition. The remaining stone structures indicate their former presence. Gun loopholes and firing slits (embrasures) can be seen in these bastions.
• Other Structural Remains:
Due to the thick vegetation grown over the fort, the remains of structures that were once built for habitation are not clearly visible.
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• Historical Information of Vajrgad Fort:
• According to ancient beliefs, Lord Indra performed penance at this place. Therefore, the nearby fort came to be known as Purandar. Since the weapon of Indra is the Vajra (thunderbolt), this fort was named Vajrgad.
• Later, this fort came under the rule of the Yadava dynasty.
• In 1384 AD, during the Sultanate period, a military post (thane) was established at this place.
• After the decline of the Sultanate, this fort came under the Bahmani rule.
• Muhammad, the son of Hasan Gangu Bahmani, carried out construction work here, during which a bastion and a gateway were built.
• Later, in 1449 AD, Malik Ahmad of the Nizamshahi dynasty brought this fort under his control.
• After the end of the Nizamshahi rule, this fort came under the Adilshahi of Bijapur.
• In 1550 AD, Adilshah conquered this fort.
• After Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established Swarajya, Adilshah imprisoned Shahaji Maharaj. To control Shivaji Maharaj, Fateh Khan was sent. For resistance, Shivaji Maharaj chose Purandar as a strategic stronghold. At that time, Purandar–Vajrgad Fort was under the control of Mahadji Nilkanth. There was a dispute between him and his brother over dominance at this place. Taking advantage of this situation, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort. He not only defeated Fateh Khan but also secured the release of Shahaji Maharaj.
During the Shivaji period, the responsibility of protecting this fort was entrusted to the people of the Ramoshi community.
• In 1665 AD, Mughal general Mirza Raja Jai Singh laid siege to Purandar. Diler Khan bombarded Purandar and Vajrgad with cannons and captured the Machi. A fierce battle took place between the Marathas and the Mughals. This led to the Treaty of Purandar dated 11 June 1665. Under this treaty, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj handed over 23 forts and a territory worth four lakh hons to the Mughals, leaving only 12 forts under Swarajya.
• Forts handed over to the Mughals:
Purandar, Vajrgad (Rudramal), Kondhana, Karnala, Lohgad, Isagad, Tung, Tikona, Rohida, Nardurg, Mahuli, Bhandardurg, Palaskhol, Rupgad, Bakhtgad, Markadgad, Manikgad, Sarupgad, Sakargad, Ankola, Songad, Mangad.
• Forts retained under Swarajya:
Rajgad, Sindhudurg, Raigad, Vijaydurg, Vishalgad, Torna, Pratapgad, Lingana, Vyaghragad, Talgad, Ghosalgad, Suvarnadurg.
• On 8 March 1907, Nilopant Mujumdar once again brought this fort under Swarajya.
• After the death of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb reconquered this fort along with Purandar.
• Later, Shankar Narayan Sachiv brought this fort back under Swarajya once again.
• Subsequently, in 1818 AD, the British captured this fort from the Marathas.
• During British rule, the British government and local landlords oppressed the people living in this region. In protest, the revolutionary Umaji Naik launched an armed struggle. Staying in this region, he united many Maratha warriors and carried out resistance against the British. During that period, Umaji Naik lived on Vajrgad Fort with his companions, where he planned secret strategies and trained revolutionaries in weapon handling and physical strength.
• The British eventually crushed this movement.
• After India gained independence, this fort became a part of independent India.
• At present, as Purandar Fort houses an Indian military training center, access to Vajrgad Fort has been restricted for security reasons. Indian soldiers currently use this area for training and exercises.
• Such is the detailed historical account of Vajrgad Fort.
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