Ajinkytara Fort information in English
Ajinkytara kilyachi mahit engraji madhe
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| Ajinkytara |
In the Sahyadri mountain range of Satara district, located in the state of Maharashtra, India, stands a hill fort known as Ajinkyatara Fort.
• This fort is recognized as the fourth capital of the Hindavi Swarajya (Maratha Empire). The first capital was Rajgad, the second Raigad, the third Jinji, and the fourth honor was bestowed upon Ajinkyatara Fort during the reign of Queen Tarabai.
• Ajinkyatara Fort has been known by several names throughout history — Sataragad, Saptarshigad, Satara Fort, Azmatara, and Ajinkyatara. Today, it is popularly known as Ajinkyatara.
Location:
From Pratapgad Fort, a branch of the Sahyadri mountain range extends toward Satara city. Locals call this range Bamnoli Range. In this very range, on a high hill near Satara city, lies Ajinkyatara Fort.
Height:
The elevation of Ajinkyatara Fort is 4,400 feet (1,006 meters) above sea level, and its north-south length is approximately 600 feet.
Routes to reach Ajinkyatara Fort:
• Since the fort is situated within Satara city in Satara district, it is well connected by road and rail networks.
• By road:
Mumbai – Pune – Satara – Ajinkyatara
Bangalore – Belgaum – Kolhapur – Satara – Ajinkyatara
• From Satara city, vehicles can go up to the main entrance of the fort.
• The fort can be reached either from the Sai Baba Temple in Satara city or from a place called Charbhinti.
• From the Karad–Satara National Highway, there is a diversion (route) leading to the northern entrance road of Ajinkyatara Fort, from where visitors can reach the top.
• The nearest airports are Pune and Kolhapur.
Pune Airport operates both domestic and international flights.
Kolhapur Airport offers limited domestic private airline services.
From both these cities, Satara can be conveniently reached by road transport.
• Places to See on Ajinkyatara Fort:
• Main Gate (Mahadarwaja):
From the Adalat Wada area in Satara city, a road leads to the fort. Following this path, one reaches the magnificent main gate of the fort. This grand arched gateway is still in good condition. Its structure is strong and spacious. It also has a hidden gate (secret passage) through which entry is possible.
On the door frame, one can see beautiful carvings along with the idols of Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesha. Inside, there are small guard chambers (devdis) built for the watchmen of that era to rest. The ceiling of the gate is dome-shaped. On one side is a bastion (buruj) and on the other, a steep cliff. The gate is made of very strong wood, reinforced with iron nails at various points.
The height of this gate is such that even an elephant or camel with a howdah could pass through easily. Below the guard chambers, intricate carvings can be seen depicting birds, women, warriors, soldiers, and wrestlers.
• Inside the gate, there is a staircase leading upward, from which one can reach the fort walls and the upper part of the gateway.
• Second Gate:
After the main entrance, there is a second gate. It is also arched and tall, though somewhat neglected now. It appears to have been built for additional security.
• Mahadev Temple:
After climbing the steps, one reaches a small temple dedicated to Lord Mahadev (Shiva). A Shiva Linga and Nandi idol can be seen here.
• Hanuman Temple:
Behind the Mahadev Temple stands the Hanuman Temple. It has been renovated. The outer part has an open hall, while inside there is a black stone idol of Lord Hanuman facing north.
• Seven Water Reservoirs:
On Ajinkyatara Fort, there are seven small and large water tanks. They fill up during the monsoon but mostly dry up in the summer season.
• Queen Tarabai’s Palace:
On the fort stands the ruins of a palace that once belonged to Queen Tarabai. It is now in a dilapidated state. After King Rajaram Maharaj’s death, Queen Tarabai stayed here for many years and led the Maratha Empire from this fort. The ruins still reflect the grandeur of that period.
Next to Tarabai’s palace was a granary, where food grains were stored for the soldiers and residents of the fort.
• Remains of Sadar and Balekilla:
Near the royal palace, one can see the remains of the Sadar (administrative court) and the Balekilla (citadel). This was where meetings were held to discuss the affairs of the state.
• Manglai Devi Temple:
The Manglai Devi Temple on the fort has also been renovated. The temple has an open pavilion at the front, and inside is a beautiful idol of Goddess Manglai Devi. In the temple premises, one can also see ancient hero stones (Virgal), old idols, and samadhis (memorial shrines).
• Manglai Bastion (Buruj):
Near the Manglai Devi Temple stands a bastion known as the Manglai Buruj. During the Mughal invasion, this bastion collapsed on the invading Mughal troops, causing heavy casualties among their soldiers.
• Lime Grinding Pits:
During the construction of the fort, lime was used to bind the stones. The remains of lime grinding pits used to prepare this lime can still be seen here.
• Underground Grain Storages (Ranjane):
There are underground storerooms on the fort where grains and other supplies were stored safely for long durations.
• Rakhmeshwar Mahadev Temple:
Another small Mahadev Temple is found on the fort, featuring a Shiva Linga and a small Nandi in front of it.
• Prasar Bharati Broadcasting Center:
The fort also houses a Prasar Bharati (All India Radio) broadcasting center, from where Satara 103.5 FM is transmitted.
• Saptarshi Mahadev Temple:
Another temple on the fort is the Saptarshi Mahadev Temple, located near a water tank. A Nandi idol is placed outside, and a Shiva Linga is inside. The temple also features idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, and other deities. In one corner, there is also an idol of Piroba Dev, as believed by local people.
While walking toward the southern gate, one also comes across a police outpost.
• Southern Gate:
On the southern side of the fort, there is another grand gateway, built in a similar style to the main one. Recently, the Sahyadri Pratishthan Fort Conservation Group has constructed new, magnificent gates here. On the way to this gate, there are also several water tanks along the path.
Historical Information about Ajinkyatara Fort:
• The construction of Ajinkyatara Fort was first carried out by Shilahara King Bhoj II in 1190 AD.
• Later, the fort came under the control of Alauddin Khilji.
• After Alauddin Khilji, the fort was under the Bahamani Sultanate.
• After the Bahamani rule, the fort came under the Adilshahi dynasty.
• During this period, Chand Bibi, the widow of the first Adil Shah and heiress of the Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar, was imprisoned here in 1590 AD.
• On 27th July 1673, the fort became part of the Maratha Empire.
• Between December 1676 and January 1677, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj stayed here for two months to recover from a fever.
• Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj established his capital at Ajinkyatara Fort in 1698 AD, when Emperor Aurangzeb invaded the Maratha Empire. After Rajaram Maharaj’s death, Queen Tarabai administered the Maratha Kingdom from this fort for several years.
• In 1699 AD, Aurangzeb’s army laid siege to the fort. The fort commander Prayagji Prabhu defended it bravely. On 13th April 1700, the Mughals dug two tunnels under the fort’s bastion, filled them with gunpowder, and blew them up. The Manglai Bastion collapsed, killing many Maratha soldiers. However, as the Mughal troops entered through the damaged bastion, another mine exploded, causing the bastion to fall on them and killing about 2,500 Mughal soldiers.
• When the fort’s food supplies were exhausted, Commander Prayagji Prabhu surrendered the fort to the Mughals.
• Emperor Aurangzeb renamed the fort Azamtara.
• Later, Queen Tarabai’s army recaptured the fort, but the Mughals seized it again.
• Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj regained control of the fort in 1708 AD by bribing a Mughal officer. His coronation ceremony was also held here.
• In 1719 AD, when Queen Yesubai was released from Mughal captivity, she was first brought to this fort.
• Around the fort area, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj founded the present-day Satara city.
• In 1818 AD, after the decline of the Maratha Empire, the fort fell into the hands of the British.
Thus, this is the historical background of Ajinkyatara Fort.
