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The Sahyadri , which stretch along the north-south direction, also have ranges that branch off eastward. On one of it
Sinhgad stands. The same range continues for 24 kms before terminating at Bhuleshwar. On this very range lies the
prestigious PURANDAR FORT along with Vajragad. We have to travel across Katraj ghat, Bapdeo ghat and Dive ghat to
reach upto the foothills of the fort. The fort is covered by plateau region on all its sides.
Purandar fort is located approximately 20 miles south-east of Pune and 6 miles south-west of Sasvad. Sinhgad is about
13 to 14 miles north-east of Purandar while Rajgad lies 20 miles to the west.. The western side of the fort is a
mountainous & towards east is largely a plateau region.
The fort, being quite a huge one was a good place for defence. It had the capacity to house many soldier-troops, foods
grains and ammunition which proved sufficient for long durations during wartime. Nonetheless, the fort hosts strong
fortified places from which a watchful eye can be kept over surrounding areas at a glance
Near the foothills of Purandar, is the small village called Narayanpur. In this village is a temple of Lord
Mahadev constructed sometime during the Yadav's dynasty. The fort is thus blessed with a history of around 1000 to
1200 years.
Just as Lord Indra occupies an undisputed position among gods and goddess, same is the status of Purandar among
other forts. Its mythological name is Indraneel Parvat. As per Hindu mythology, when Lord Hanuman attempted to carry
Dronagiri mountain range, a portion of it slipped off his hands and fell down to form
Indraneel Parvat. The history of this glorious fort dates back to the Bahamani regime. Chandrasampat Deshpande of
Bedar first acquired this fort. The work of reconstruction of the fort started by Chandrakant Deshpande was completed
with great zeal by one of his family associates Mahadaji Nilkanth. Later, somewhere around 1489, the fort went into the
hands of Nizamshah, won by his brave sardar Malik Mohammed. Further, it went into Adilshah in 1550.
It so happened during 1649, Adilshah was furious by the great deeds of Shivaji Maharaj since he had captured many
forts, which were previously under control of Adilshah. Adilshah, therefore arrested Sahaji Raje and Summoned
Fatehkhan to get hold of Shivaji. Dark clouds of uncertainty and fear hovered over Shivaji as the
situation was really critical. It was like a huge mountain on one side and a deep valley on the other. His father was in the
custody of Adilshah and the marching Fatehkhan on the other side was a real threat of`Swarajya'. Recognizing the
inevitability of a fight, as a part of a strategic decision, Shivaji Maharaj opted Purandar
fort, a suitable place for battle. However, inspite of the fact that the same fort was not in hands of the Marathas, it was
a calculated risk which he had taken within no time, though, he managed to establish his supremacy over the fort using
Gusiella technique.
During those days one Nilogee was incharge of the operations of the fort on behalf of Adilshah. He had two younger
brothers Pilaji and Shankarji. Shivaji sent a letter to Niloji conveying the news of the death of Dadoji Kondadev who was
a fatherly figure to him. Maharaj expressed about him feeling like an orphan and since Niloji had a fairly good alliance
with Dadoji Kondadev and his family he expected some hospitality in return from Niloji. He also conveyed that Maharaj
himself and his followers would do what Niloji says and will not be of any nuisance to Niloji nor interfere in operations of
the fort.
Looking at such humble approach of Maharaj with some soft corner for Dadoji Kondadev, Niloji readily accepted this and
invited Shivaji and his followers to occupy one of the machis of the fort and thus acknowledged the gratitude. Out of three
brothers, Shankarji stayed with Maharaj. As days passed, the festival of Diwali was fast approaching. This was when
Shivaji Maharaj made his first move. He knew that Niloji, the elder brother of Shankarji, had restricted Shankarji to extend
his services on the fort and with this Shankarji was unhappy.Hence, Maharaj promised him the justice. At the auspicious occasion of Diwali, Maharaj and Shankarji visited Niloji on the fort and stayed there for almost three days. Shivaji
Maharaj was well aware of the differences that existed between the two. On the forth night Shankarji and Pilaji
approached Shivaji Maharaj, had already established a good grip, he along with 25 Mavalas arrested not only Niloji but
also Pilaji & Shankarji thereby establishing a supreme control over the fort.
With this fort as base, the Marathas entered into battle with Fatehkhan, which they subsequently won. It was a triumph
of Shivaji. Later in 1655, Maharaj nominated Netaji Palkar as the Sarnaubatof the fort. Maharaj's son, Sambhaji, was
born on Thursday May 16, 1657 (Vaishakh Shudhha 12 Shake 1579) on this fort. Year 1665 marked the most
devastating year as Mughal Sardar Jaisingh made a lot of Purandar fort. At that time the fort was under the supervision
of Murarbaji Despande. A 2000 strong infantry backed him. Selecting 700 strong troops, Murarbaji ventured into battle
with Dilerkhan who was nominated by Sardar Jaisingh and backed by 5000 strong infantry. Dilerkhan was marching
upwards from all directions on to the Purandar fort. However, first Vajragad was lost and later inspite of a valiant
performance by Murarbaji,s troops, the fort of Purandar fell into the hands of Moguls. Later when Shivaji Maharaj
understood of his defeat, he entered into treaty with Mogul Sardar Jaisingh in which he agreed to surrender 23 of Mogul
forts won by Marathas. It dates June 11,1665. The 23 forts that were surrendered to Moguls were as follows
1) Purandar 2) Rudramala or Vajragad 3) Kondana 4) Rohida 5) Lohagad 6) Visapur 7) Tunga 8) Tikona 9) Prabalgad
10) Mahuli 11) Manaranjan 12) Kohoj 13) Karnala 14) Songad 15) Palasgad 16) Bhandargad 17) Nar-durga 18)
Margagad 19) Vasantgad 20) Nangagad 21) Ankola 22) Khirdurga (Sagargad) & 23)Maangad.
On 8th March 1670, Nilopanth Muzumdar revamped boundaries of Swarajya by establishing control over the fort. Later,
after the death of Sambaji Maharaj, Aurangazeb conquered the fort and renamed it as`Ajamgad,. Again, on behalf of
Marathas, Shankarji Narayan argued with Mughals and took control of the fort. Subsequent to that, in 1695, Chhatrapati
Shahu Maharaj handed over the reigns of the fort to Peshwas. It was the capital of Peshwas for many years then. Shake,
1697, i.e. 1775, marked the birth of Sawai Madhavrao. In the year 1818, British took the charge of the fort.
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-: Purandareshwar Temple :-
This is Lord Mahadev's temple built in Hemadic, style of architecture. The temple houses approx. 1.25 to 1.5 feet high
statue of Lord`Indra'. Senior Bajirao was instrumental in leading its reconstruction.
-: Delhi Darwaja :-
This door, facing north, is still in a good condition. As the road turns near the Darwaja, we can see a temple of Goddess
Laxmi. A leftward route from the bifurcation ahead leads us to the other end of the Citadel. The same road leads us to
some water cisterns. The rightward road from the bifurcation leads to yet another door (Darwaja). Two statues of lions
guard either sides of this Darwaja.
-: Khandakada :-
As we enter and proceed along this Delhi- Darwaja, we see a huge rock extending eastwards. This is nothing
but`Khandakada,. At its end lies a bastion. After visiting this place, it is advisable to return to the Darwaja for our further journey towards the right end uphill. We get to see here the remnants of few structures like food-grain storage rooms as also of a castle. A few water reservoirs are also located here. As we go ahead, we come across Kedar Darwaja.
Although, it may not be in a good condition today, however, its historical value and mportance can be overlooked.
-: Kedareshwar :-
As we walk for 15 minutes along the main road and climb the steps, we come across`Kedareshwar, temple. A
reconstructed temple, it is of Lord Kedareshwar. During Mahashivratri thousands of pilgrims visit this temple. Deepastambha, a stone pillar for enlightening the lamps, can be seen in front of the temple. This temple is a
topmost part of the fort. One can see the forts like Rajgad, Torna, Sinhagad, Raireshwar, Rohida, Malhargad as well as
Karhe-Plateau from here. At the rear end of this temple there is a fortified place called as Koknya - Capturing everything
-: Bini Darwaja :-
The only door to Purandar Machi,enroute from Narayanpur as we approach Purandar fort. Unlike many other forts, the
door is in good condition even today. As one enters through the door, there are provisions for the guards to hide and
attack enemy. These are called as the Gatehouses. (Paharekaryandiya Devdya) As one proceeds further, the
khandakada immediately catches our attention.
Once you enter through the door, the road branches, one straight ahead whereas the other towards the rear end of fort.
As we move on, we come across the vintage military camps and a few bungalows. The same road leads to the foothills
of the citadel, where we can see the temple of Purandareshwar. Also, the statue of Murarbaji in his fighting stance gives
us the feel of his courageous nature and dose not fail taking us back to those glorious days.
-: Rameshwar temple :-
This temple is located towards the rear end of Purandareshwar temple. Constructed during the start of Peshwa dynasty,
built by Balaji Vishwanath, it was a temple that was privately owned by the Peshvas. Moving further ahead we come
across the remains of an ancient two storied bungalow called as Wada,
It was in the same Wada that Sawai Madhavrao was born. Behind it is a well, which is in a good condition even today.
Moving further ahead, the road bifurcates, one that leads to the foothills of citadel whereas the other towards`Bhairav
Khind'. As we move towards the road leading the citadel, after a walk of 15 minutes, we come across Dilli Darwaja
-: Bhairav Khind :-
Enroute to Purandar Machi, is the Bhairavkhinda. A statue of the Great Maratha, Shivaji Maharaj can be seen here. On
the right hand side we see the Rajale lake which also the source of water supply for Purandar Machi.
-: Padmavati Lake :- It can be seen if we walk just a little ahead of the great Murarbaji Deshpande statue.
-: Shendrya Bastion :-
There is bastion called SHENDRYA build in alignment with the fortification which is North-west to citadel & behind the
Padmavati Lake.
Trek Routes
- From Saswad-
A S.T. bus to Bhor from Saswad will drop you at the bus-stop of`Purandar Ghat matha, in Narayanpur village. A road on
the left side along the two houses situated on mountain ahead leads to Bini Darwaja which can be reached
approximately in 45 minutes.
- From Pune -
A S.T. bus to Saswad from Pune takes us to the foothills of Purandar fort. Pune-Narayanpur bus is also available to
reach up to the base village, Narayanpur.
