Dategad / Sundargad Fort Information
Date Gad / Sundargad Killa Information in English
• Location:
Dategad Fort, also known as Sundargad, is located in Patan Taluka of Satara District, in the Sahyadri mountain range of Maharashtra State. The fort of Ghera Dategad is situated near the foothill village of Tolewadi.
• Height:
The average height of this fort above sea level is approximately 3,425 feet.
• This fort comes under the easy category.
• Travel route to visit Dategad Fort:
Satara is the district headquarters and is connected to other cities of India by road and railway.
• The distance from Pune to Dategad Fort is approximately 180 kilometers.
• The distance from Mumbai to Dategad Fort is approximately 320 kilometers.
• Dategad Fort is located at a distance of about 400 kilometers from Nashik.
• One can reach Dategad Fort via the route Mumbai – Pune – Satara – Umbraj – Malhar Peth – Chiplun Road, then from Patan proceed further to the foothill village of Tolewadi, from where the fort can be accessed.
• The distance from Umbraj to Patan is 28 kilometers, and from Patan to Tolewadi village is 5 kilometers.
From Tolewadi village, Dategad Fort is located at a distance of about 1 kilometer.
• Places to See on Dategad Fort:
• From Patan, the taluka headquarters, one can reach the village of Tolewadi, located at the foothill of the fort. There is a resort named Sundargad at this place. Vehicles can be parked in this area, and from there the fort can be reached on foot. There are two routes to reach the fort, and both routes lead up to the main entrance gate of the fort.
• Katyal Cave:
On the outer side of the main gate of the fort, a cave can be seen close to the footpath. This cave has been carved out of katyal (hard) rock. It appears to have been made for the guards to take rest. Inside the cave chamber, a small cavity with tiny holes can be seen, which is difficult to enter. It seems that this cavity might have been a secret passage in the past or may have been formed due to rainwater drainage.
• Main Entrance Gate:
This fort belongs to the Layan (rock-cut) fort type. The fort appears to have been constructed by carving ancient igneous rock using chisels and hammers, removing the unwanted portions. After climbing a few steps, the main entrance gate comes into view. This gate is carved out of jambhya-colored rock. Some collapse is visible on the upper portion of the gate. From its present form, the architectural style of that period can be understood. Holes for water drainage can be seen below the threshold. Entry into the fort is through this gate.
• Guard Chambers (Devadis):
Guard chambers carved into the rock can be seen on either side of the entrance gate. Like other forts, similar structures are found here as well. These chambers appear to have been carved for the guards and soldiers to rest while on duty.
• Dhalaj:
After entering through the gate, one comes across a Dhalaj. This Dhalaj is spacious, from where access to the upper part of the fort is possible. In this Dhalaj, idols of the Hindu deities Ganesh and Hanuman can be seen.
• Hanuman (South-facing Maruti) Layan Sculpture:
In the Dhalaj of the fort, a nearly twelve-foot-high heroic Hanuman sculpture carved and sculpted into a katyal rock wall can be seen. This layan sculpture is painted in saffron color. Hanuman is considered a deity who makes difficult tasks easy and is a symbol of strength and valor. Hanuman was worshipped before going to war; therefore, he is revered as a deity of victory and one who makes the impossible possible. This layan sculpture comes directly into view upon entering through the gate. During sunset, the rays of the sun fall directly on this sculpture.
(Layan means a structure carved directly into solid rock.)
• Ganesh Layan Sculpture:
In Hindu tradition, Ganesh is regarded as the remover of obstacles, and his blessings are taken at the beginning of any work. On the wall next to the Hanuman sculpture, a carved image of Lord Ganesh can be seen. This sculpture is approximately 6 to 7 feet high. A special feature of this idol is that its ears are shaped like the petals of the hibiscus flower (Jaswand), which is dear to Lord Ganesh. This sculpture has also been created using chisels and hammers.
• Rock-cut Step Path:
After having darshan of Lord Ganesh and Hanuman, one comes across a step pathway carved into igneous rock. This path leads to the upper part of the fort. While ascending along this path, a rock-cut layan cave chamber is encountered, which appears to have been made for the rest of Mavlas and soldiers.
After reaching the top of the fort, one comes across a sword-shaped well, which is seen to be carved into igneous rock. This well is 50 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 30 meters deep. Excavation in the form of paired steps can be seen for descending into the well. On one side, the steps are larger in size, while on the other side, smaller steps are provided. As one descends deeper into the well, a sense of calmness and coolness is experienced. It appears that this well was designed to provide drinking and utility water for the people of the fort garrison. Local people call it Geruchi Vihir. Geru is a Ghati Marathi word meaning red-jambhya colored soil.
• Shiva Temple:
On the inner side of the well, there is a small layan (rock-cut) cave temple. Inside it, one can see Nandi and the Shiva lingam. As the rulers here primarily followed the Shaiva sect, a Shiva temple is seen on almost every fort. Just as the river Ganga resides in Lord Shiva, here this belief is reflected through the Shiva lingam and the water of the well.
• Fortification (Ramparts):
All around the fort, tall, straight katyal rock walls can be seen. These walls are about 15 to 20 feet high, and construction was carried out on their upper portion. For this purpose, stones (chiselled blocks) were extracted from the rocky slopes of the fort. Using these stones, the fortifications were built. At some places, the ramparts appear to have collapsed.
• Water Tanks:
At various places on the fort, deep water tanks can be seen carved out by cutting stones from the lower portions. Through these tanks, water storage arrangements were made for the people residing on the fort.
• Remains of the Sadar (Court Hall):
At one place on the fort, a wide structural remnant can be seen. This structure with raised plinths appears to be the Sadar, or court hall, whose upper portion was made of wood. Over time, it seems to have been destroyed by foreign invaders. Now only the remains are left. It is believed that assemblies and consultations were held here.
• Construction Remains:
At many places on the fort, remains of various structures can be observed. From the plinth remains, it becomes evident that extensive construction was carried out to provide accommodation for the fort commander, chief officers, garrison soldiers, and staff.
• Other Water Tanks:
Several deep water tanks have been carved at different locations on the fort. It appears that the stones extracted from these tanks were used in the construction of residential buildings as well as the fortifications.
• Flag Staff:
At a high point on the fort, a flag staff can be seen, on which the saffron flag symbolizing Hindu statehood can be seen fluttering.
In this manner, the entire fort can be explored within just two to three hours, after which one begins the return journey.
• Historical Information of Dategad Fort:
• This fort is pre-Shivaji era. From its architectural style, it appears that the fort was constructed during the period of the Shalivahan dynasty that ruled this region earlier, or during the rule of some other Hindu dynasties.
• The area of this fort lies on the ancient trade route of Vijapur, Karad, and Chiplun. To keep watch over traffic on the ghat routes, the rulers of that time seem to have constructed forts such as Ghera Dategad, Jaigad, Gunavantgad, Vasantgad, and Sadashivgad in this region.
• In the 15th century AD, this fort was likely under the control of the Shirke Sardars.
• In the 15th century AD, the Bahamani Sultan Mallik Murtija brought this fort under the authority of the Bahamani Sultanate.
• Later, after the disintegration of the Bahamani rule, this fort came under the control of the Adilshahi.
• In 1659 AD, after the killing of Afzal Khan and the successful Jaoli campaign, this fort was included in the Swarajya. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj liked the beautiful surroundings of this place and renamed the fort Sundargad. He entrusted the fort to Sardar Salunkhe. As they resided in the Patan region, they came to be known as Patankar.
• In 1689 AD, after the death of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, this fort was captured by the Mughals.
• Later, Sarsenapati Santaji Ghorpade and Salunkhe Patankar once again brought this fort into Swarajya. At that time, Rajaram Maharaj granted this fort and 34 villages of the Patan region to the Patankars as an inam (reward).
• Subsequently, this fort remained under Swarajya.
• In 1818 AD, the Peshwa rule of the Maratha Empire came to an end, and Dategad came under British control. To prevent the Marathas from uniting and revolting again, the British destroyed the structures on this fort, as they did on other forts.
• Later, in 1947 AD, after India gained independence, this fort came under the control of the Government of Independent India.
• At present, this fort is in a ruined condition. Shiv devotees of the Patan region are carrying out repair and conservation work and are preserving its archaeological heritage.
• Thus, this is the information and journey of Dategad / Sundargad Fort.
