Rangna Killa / Rangna Fort
Among the eleven forts in Kolhapur district that stand as witnesses of history, the foremost place belongs to Rangana Fort.
Situated high on the crest of the Sahyadri range, surrounded by dense forests and thick wilderness, this fort kept a vigilant watch over the ghats, Konkan, and Goa regions. Truly, if anyone ever maintained dominance over these areas, it was the majestic Rangana Fort, the king of mountains.
As mentioned in a historical document of 1781 A.D., reflecting the thoughts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s era:
“If Rangana is alert, then everything is safe; otherwise, the entire Sawant region of Bardesh will descend upon us.”
Even today, hidden in the deep forests, bearing witness to history, this fort still stands tall on the steep cliffs of Katyal Kada.
• Location of Rangna Fort:
Rangna, also known as Prasiddhagad, stands tall on the crest of the Sahyadri ranges at the western end of Bhudargad Taluka in Kolhapur district and adjoining Kudal Taluka of Sindhudurg district.
• Height of Rangna Fort:
The average height of Rangna Fort above sea level is 2,227 feet / 679 meters.
• Route to Rangna Fort:
From Kolhapur city in Maharashtra – via Gargoti – Patgaon Dam – Tambyachiwadi – Bhatwadi – Chikkevadi, the distance is 105 kilometers, from where one can proceed towards Rangna Fort.
From behind Patgaon Dam, a path meets a rough road. Proceeding along this way, passing through forested areas and rugged tracks, after crossing a stream, one reaches near about 8 kilometers of trek or by using a jeep-like vehicle up to the ruins of a checkpoint called Umbarya, which marks the beginning of the fort. From there, one has to go on foot to reach the fort.
This route is generally avoided during the monsoon season.
• After reaching Narur village, 40 kilometers from Kudal in Sindhudurg district, one can reach the Konkan Gate on the fort within two hours by walking along the footpath.
• Places to see on Rangna Fort:
Bandeshwar Temple, north-facing Ganesh Gate, Hanumant Gate, Nimbalkar Wada, Nimbalkar Well, Third Gate, Rangnai Temple, Hanuman Temple, Mahadev Temple, Ganesh Temple, perennial pond, Chilkhati Bastion, secret path, tunnel, Hattisond Machi, Rajwada Court, Konkan Gate.
Explanation:
From behind Patgaon Dam, if one proceeds by a jeep-like vehicle through a path surrounded by uneven terrain and dense forest, a stream is encountered. During the monsoon, it overflows completely. Moving ahead along the village path and covering nearly 8 kilometers, one comes across a stone-threshold post. From here begins the real entrance of the fort. While proceeding towards the fort, this post must have been built for watch purposes. At present, most of it has collapsed.
Bandeshwar Temple:
Walking ahead along the forest path from the stone threshold, a small temple appears. That is the Bandeshwar Temple. At this place, idols of Lord Vishnu, Shri Ganesh, and Bandeshwar deity can be seen. After offering salutations there, one should begin the fort exploration.
• Walking further from there, one reaches an open plateau surrounded by lush green forest. From there, a bastion carved in black rock can be seen ahead. Upon it, the saffron flag flutters proudly, reminding of the valor of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• Other hill forts of Maharashtra have to be climbed up. But Rangna Fort is the opposite. This one has to be descended into and explored.
• Ran Mandal Place:
From the plateau, while going towards the fort’s entrance, one has to walk along a narrow pathway clinging to the cliff. On the way, to the left is a deep valley, while to the right is a sharp cliff with a bastion built upon it. If the enemy attacked and advanced towards the fort, stones could be hurled down from above upon them. Also, due to the narrow path, they cannot come in large numbers or at great speed. And if stones were thrown from the rampart, the enemy soldiers, confused and losing balance, could fall into the valley. Such was the strategic design of the Ranmandal pathway of this fort.
• This fort was one of the most favorite forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• North-facing Ganesh Gate:
Proceeding further along the Ranmandal path, one comes across the north-facing Ganesh Gate. With the fortification wall on the right and a bastion on the left, this gate is known as Ganesh Gate. At present, only its frame remains intact.
• Hanumant Gate:
After passing through the first gate, moving ahead, one reaches the second gate, which is known as Hanumant Gate. The structure of this gate is built in the Gomukh style. The bastion on the right side of the gate is square-shaped, while the one on the left is circular. The inner construction of this gate stands as a witness to historic events. Inside, there are small chambers (Devdis), which were built for the guards to rest.
• Nimbalkar Wada:
Proceeding further through the second gate, on the right-hand side, the ruins of a mansion (Wada) can be seen. The right wall of the mansion still stands firm even today. The skeletal framework of the mansion’s doorway narrates the existence of the ruined structure. Some trees have grown amidst the surrounding walls. Inside the mansion, there is an inscription carved in Persian.
Nimbalkar Stepwell / Well:
Proceeding further inside the mansion, towards the rear side, one can see a stone-built well. The well has steps leading down into it.
Third Gate – Yashwant Gate:
After seeing the Nimbalkar Stepwell, as we move ahead, we reach the fort’s third gate. This gate, with its strong horizontal fortification, displays a unique construction style. There are two successive doors, one after another. On the inner side, beautiful arch-shaped guard rooms (devdis) are built for the sentries to rest. Also, from the inside of the gate, one can climb onto the rampart through finely built stone steps, reminding us of the Shiv period. This gate is also known as Yashwant Gate, because the fort was captured after two and a half months of battle by Subhana Yashwant Shinde, who brought it under the rule of Karvir (Kolhapur State).
Perennial Lake (Baramahi Talav):
After entering through the third gate, walking along the path towards the right-hand rampart, one comes across a lake. Water remains in this lake throughout the year, and hence it is called the Perennial Lake. Beside this lake, one can also see memorial shrines (samadhis).
Rangnai Temple:
Proceeding further along the uneven path from the Shiva temple, we reach the shrine of Goddess Rangnai. This temple was renovated by Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, the son of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, and today it stands in a grand courtyard.
Outside the temple, a tall Deepmala (lamp tower) can be seen.
In the temple courtyard, there is a beautifully crafted Tulsi Vrindavan, built in stone in an ancient style.
The temple stands on a high platform and is constructed of laterite stone. In the sanctum, the idol of Goddess Rangnai can be seen, adorned with weapons – a shield, sword, and trident. On the right side of the goddess is the idol of Lord Vishnu, while on the left side is the idol of Lord Bhairav.
At this place, an inscription in the Persian language can also be seen. Outside the temple, the Forest Department has built sheds for the shelter of visitors coming for fort exploration.
Hanuman Temple:
Next to the Rangnai temple, there is a small Hanuman temple, where a revered idol of Lord Hanuman is installed inside.
Kokan Darwaza:
Walking from behind the Rangnai temple, one reaches a deep gorge. Rainwater flows through this gorge. At the end of the gorge, an arch-like structure has been built to channel the water. Because of this arch, water gets stored in the gorge, which serves as a source of drinking water.
From there, at the edge of the valley, there is a bastion. On the other side, the fortification wall of the fort can be seen. At this place, one can see the Konkan Gate, which faces west. Descending through this gate, one can reach Narur village in Kudal Taluka of Konkan.
Royal Court (Rajasadar):
After seeing the Konkan Gate, coming back in front of the Rangnai Temple and walking ahead from there, one can see the remains of the Royal Court. An arch, tall pillars, and the remains of surrounding walls can be seen. This structure, having an area of thirty by thirty meters, was the place where the administration of Swarajya was carried out during times of crisis. On one side, trees are seen growing along the wall.
Mahadev Temple 1:
After going ahead from the Royal Court, one comes across a Shiva temple. This temple has been restored and is built in schist stone. Inside the temple are two Shiva lingas, one of which is a two-lingam linga. This two-lingam Shiva linga was earlier in a small temple near the lake.
Second Shiva Temple:
This temple is small and is built in red schist stone. Outside the temple is a Nandi, and inside there is a Mahadev linga.
Ganesh Temple:
From the Mahadev temple, a footpath goes in the direction of the valley. Walking further on this path, one can see the Ganesh Temple. Standing at the edge from this place, one can see the charming beauty of nature. The Sahyadri mountains, valleys, and the rich forest wealth cast a spell on you, making the mind happy and relieving it of stress.
Hattisond Machi (Elephant Trunk Plateau):
If you keep walking from here, you reach one end of the fort. While passing through the tall grass at this place, one must remain cautious, as sometimes a creeping creature might come near your feet. Moving ahead along this path, you come across a narrow track shaped like an elephant’s trunk. While walking on it, one has to carefully watch their steps. Even a slight slip of balance may cause one to fall into the deep valley. Proceeding further on this path, you finally reach a plateau known as Hattisond Machi.
Arriving here, the sight of the beautiful nature makes you forget the fatigue of the long walk.
Chilkhati Bastion:
At the tip of the elephant’s trunk, there stands a tall and strong bastion called Chilkhati Buruj. Two such bastions were constructed here. They still stand in good condition as testimony to history. Rising about twenty to twenty-five feet high from the base of the plateau, this bastion stands like a rock-solid guardian, ready to defend even if an attack were to come from the rear side of the fort.
Secret Gate (Chor Darwaza):
From the Chilkhati Bastion, if you climb up to the spot of the elephant’s trunk, at the edge of the plateau there is a Chor Darwaza (Secret Gate). Passing through this gate, which has small arches, the path leads to the edge of the valley. Since the cliff beyond this point has broken away, it is no longer possible to descend into the Chilkhati Bastion from here.
North-East Bastion and Tunnel:
After seeing the Hattisond, one has to return again to the third gate. Walking towards the edge of the valley from the right side of the main entrance gate, a ruined bastion can be seen. There is a double-step pathway to climb this bastion. While coming from the Chikkewadi side, this bastion is the first thing that comes into sight.
Tunnel:
At this place, on the fortification of one bastion, there is a tunnel below. The passage from here opens towards the edge of a valley on the Chikkewadi side. But due to the collapse inside, it is not possible to go through it.
Towards the south near the Machi, there is a gate leading to Kerwade village, and another eastern gate leading towards Chafeli village is also present on this fort.
Historical Information about Rangna Fort:
• During the reign of Hindu King Shilahara King Bhoja II, Rangna Fort was built.
• In A.D. 1470, this fort was conquered by Mahamand Gawan, the minister of the Bahmani Sultan, and brought under the Bahmani rule.
About this fort, he used to say:
“By the grace of Allah, Rangna came under control. Along with bravery, wealth also had to be spent.”
With the fall of the Bahmani dynasty, this fort came under the rule of the Adilshahi.
During the Adilshahi period, it was under the control of the Adilshahi Sardar, the Sawants of Wadi.
In the year 1658, Bijapur’s Adilshahi Sardar Rustum Zaman took it from the Sawants.
During the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Rahuji Pandit, the officer in charge of the Konkan province of Swarajya, captured Rangna from Rustum Zaman.
When Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj went to Agra and was held under house arrest, taking advantage of this, the Adilshah launched a campaign and captured Rangna.
When Swarajya was in danger, Rajmata Jijabai personally launched a special campaign and on 15-08-1666 captured Rangna and brought it back into Swarajya.
The auspicious sign of winning Rangna was that just two days later, on 17-08-1666, Shivaji Maharaj safely escaped from captivity in Agra.
On 12th May 1667, during a campaign to capture Rangna, Adilshahi forces under Vyankojiraje Bhosale and Bahlolkhan marched and laid siege to the fort. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj himself went in person and broke the siege.
Realizing the importance of Rangna fort, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spent as much as 6000 hons on construction works on the fort.
Here’s your passage translated into English, keeping it same-to-same in structure and meaning:
• When the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb came on his southern campaign, he tried to capture Rangna Fort. But he did not succeed in it.
• After the Varna Treaty, this fort came under the Karvir Sansthan. During the conflict between Tararani and Chhatrapati Shahu, Tarabai left Panhala and took shelter at Rangna Fort. While she was looking after the administration, in the year 1708 Shahu Maharaj’s army laid siege to Rangna Fort. At that time, Tarabai was sent to Sindhudurg Fort, and Ramchandra Pant Amatya and Piraji Ghorpade defended the fort. As soon as the rainy season started, Shahu Maharaj withdrew the siege.
• Rangna Fort used to keep a check on the Sawants of Sawantwadi. Therefore, the Karvir rulers knew the importance of Rangna.
• The Sawants of Wadi sent Jivaji Vishram to take Rangna under their control. He incited treachery inside the fort and captured it deceitfully.
• The capable officer of Karvir State, Subhan Yashwant Shinde, fought for two and a half months and brought the fort back into Karvir State.
• In the documents of Karvir State, this fort is recorded as “Mahasthal.”
• The Sawants of Wadi made a treaty and decided to remain loyal to Karvir State. From then onwards, this fort remained under Karvir rule.
• Later, this fort came under British rule.
• When the gadhkaris (fort soldiers) revolted, while taking back control, the British damaged many fortifications and gates of this fort.
• After India became independent, this fort came under the possession of Independent India.
• At present, it is under the jurisdiction of the Pune Division of the Archaeological Department. Nowadays, some Shivaji-loving youths have brought up the cannons that were thrown into the valley by the British while crushing the revolt of the fort soldiers.
• Among the famous forts of Maharashtra, Rangna is extremely difficult, remote, and maintains its unique identity. Such is this beloved “Prasiddhagad” (famous fort) of Shivaji Maharaj — do visit Rangna at least once.
Rangna Fort – Information and History
