Information on Sudhagad Fort (Raigad, Maharashtra) - History & Architecture

Sudhagad Fort is a magnificent hill fortress in the Shyadri mountain ranges. It is a very old ancient fort must to see, once in a life time. It's a complete rock marvel, having much history and culture lived by it. It is beautifully located at Pali town at base village of Paachapur, Raigad District of Maharashtra State in India.

Sudhagad Fort Architecture

Sudhagad Fort is located at a 610 meters altitude from its foot hills. In the top of the citadel this fort occupies vast lands areas. The entire structure is built of solid stone blocks in large and small sizes. This forts design and structure are incomparable in the world. It has got remarkable steps to reach its main gate. These steps are stone carved one placed in between two vertical ridges. This will be a great experience to walk these steps. This fort has 3 main entrances. The first entry point is the Maha Darwaza and thee is a secrete gate too. Its walls are too high and strong, built with curved bastions at many places. These walls are not at all damaged or ruined till now. It is found with few moats at lands surrounded places. There are many ruined ancient temples found here, the only existing Bhoradevi temple is in very good conditions. A ruined Shiva temple shows the trace of Hindu clans lived here in the ancient times. Its beautiful attractions are the two natural lakes found here. These are perennial in nature and fetched the water need of this fort. In the Monsoon rains, the excess water just flows away to the down hills. There are many huge granaries built for storage purposes. Many other small structures are also found in ruined stages, might be the residential houses. There are few unmarked tombs built here these have splendid stone carving works looks like a small temple. These tombs are believed to be the great warriors and their wife's who committed Sathi on their husband's death.

Sudhagad Fort History

Sudhagad Fort is also known as the Bhorapgad Fort due to the presence of Bhora Devi temple. This is the only temple which have not ruined with time and visited regularly by its local peoples. This temple is believed to be built by a Sage who lived here, his name was Bhrug Rishi. This fort is believed to be built around 200 BC. At this time the Bhora Dynasty were the existing peoples here. The history of this fort is well known from the medieval times, till then it was an abundant fort for many centuries. The Bhamani Kingdom found this fort place in their empire expansion program and fist occupied this fort in the year 1436 AD. But the 1657 AD saw the mighty Shivaji becoming as a power full ruler and annexed most of the western province under the Maratha Kingdom. The Raigad became his Capital and he loved this fort very much. After the death of Shivaji this fort was under the sub divided Maratha clans known as the Peshwas. This fort has not much damaged in any of the local aggressions. Even the British East India Company was unable to conquer this fort. Form the medieval era, this fort was occupied by humans and presently it is looking very unique and beautiful as an ancient antique.

Sudhagad Fort Tourism Significance

Sudhagad Fort is a rear ancient fort worth to see. To reach here one can get a solid trekking experience. It has one of the finest stone carved steps to reach its top hills. It is a picturesque place in the mountains surrounded with waterfalls, lakes and lovely green vegetations.