Rajeev, Yuvraj, Sandesh, Soumya and Adarash visited Rajgad on Dec 6, 2009. This is a fort where Shivaji Maharaj spent 25 years before moving to Raigad.

1. Unchallengeable, Undisputable and Unconquerable
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राजगड ‐ राजांचा गड, गडाचा राजा Elevation 1276 m (4,250 ft)
Location Pune
Rajgad – King of Forts

2. Rajgad
Rajgad fort was recognized as first political base of “Hindavi Swarajya”. Rajgad was initially
known as ‘Murumbdev’ during the Bahamani regime. The ‘Murumbadev’ mountain stands
adjacent to the vally formed due to Nire, Velvandi, Kanandi and Gunjavani rivers. It is 48 km
From Pune towards South West direction and 24 km North West of Bhor.
From Pune towards South‐West direction and 24 km North‐West of Bhor
To expand boundaries of Hindavi Swarajya within Maval region, two forts viz. Rajgadand Torna
were considered to be at a prime position then. Although, both the forts were equally
unchallangable, Rajgad fort scored an edge over Torna fort primarily because of its huge size.
Also the approach to Rajgad made it more unique as one has to either cross a mountain or a
river to reach Rajgad fort. In view of the above factors, Shivaji Maharaj selected Rajgad as a
capital fort and political base of ‘Hindavi Swarajya’. Rajgad has three Machis` and one Citadel.
James Dougals in his ‘Book of Bombay’ writes, Rajgad and Torna occupy an unchallangable
position and are uncongquerable thus facilitating Hindu King Shivaji Maharaj to have a wide
scope to expand boundries of his kingdom.
Saki Mustaodakhan in his novel called ‘Masire Alamgire’ narrates about Rajgad as :
A very tall fort which justifies itsposition and excellence amongst all. Its huge size covers a
diameter of almost 24 miles at its base. One cannot imagine its hughness and strength. It is
believed that only wind can roam around and water can pass through the thick forest
believed that only wind can roam around and water can pass through the thick forest
surrounding the fort. Else, it is very difficult for anybody to pass through the thick jungles.

3. Ways to climb Rajgad
Via Secret doorway (Gupt Darwaja) :
From Pune, board a State Transport Bus to Rajgad and alight at Vajeghar village.
Thereafter from Babuda zapa we proceed towards Railing in approx an hour. From there it
takes minimum time to reach Rajgad. Using this route, one can reach Rajgad in 3 hours.
Rajgad via Pali Darwaja :
From Pune, board a State Transport Bus to Velhe and there after from Pabe village after
crossing Kanad river we can directly reach Pali darwaja. This staircase walkway is quite easy
and one can reach Rajgad in 3 hours.
Suvela Machi via Gupt Darwaja :
From Gunjavane village, a way through the forest leads to Gupta Darwaja from which one
can reach Suvela Machi.
Rajgad via Alu Darwaja :
We can reach Alu darwaja either via Bhutonde or even through ‘Shivtharghal’.
Rajgad via Chor Darwaja :
On Pune‐Velhe State Transport Bus route, alight at Margasani village. Thereafter one can
reach Gunjawne village via Sakhar village. From Gunjavane village, one can reach Rajgad in 2hrs.

4. Sanjivani Machi
Suvela Machi
S l M hi
Balekilla
From Gunjavane Padmavati Machi

6. Mumbai‐
Pune
Express way
Vinzar
Pune bypass
Sakhar
Gunjavane
Rajgad
Gunjavane Nasrapur

7. Gunjavane
Sakhar
kh
From Nasrapur

9. Gunjavane

10. Parking Place
P ki Pl
Hanuman Temple
behind the car on left

13. Good Food. Also
serves at the fort

17. Soumya
Adarsh

18. Yuvraj

33. Crotalaria retusa
(Dingla, Khulkhula)
(Dingla, Khulkhula)

41. Nedhe
(Orifice)

67. Padmavati Machi
Padmavati Machi
By Chor Darwaja

70. From
Gunjavane
Padmavati Machi
Padmavati Machi

87. Celosia argentea
(Kurdu, Kombda)

88. To Bale Killa
To Bale Killa

90. Balekilla
Darwaja
Kothar
Gunjavane
Rajwada
Darwaja

99. Duba
Suvela Machi

102. Bale Killa
Darwaja

106. Rajeev, Soumya and Adarsh (Standing)
Yuvraj and Sandesh (sitting)

110. Rajwada on
Padmavati
Pali
Marg

115. Sanjivani
Machi

118. Daru K th
D Kothar

123. Pali Darwaja

130. To Suvela Machi
To Suvela Machi

131. Duba

132. Suvela Machi

134. Duba

135. Balekilla
from Duba

136. Balekilla
from Duba

140. Suvela Machi
from Duba

141. Duba

145. Duba (L), Balekilla (C) and Padmavati Machi (R) and
Gunjavane (Extreme right) from Suvela Machi

146. Duba (L), Balekilla (R)
from Suvela Machi

147. Adarsh

153. Nedhe
(Orifice)

154. To Sanjivani Machi
To Sanjivani Machi

155. Sanjivani Machi

157. Pali Darwaja

159. Pali Darwaja

160. Pali Darwaja

171. Sanjivani Machi – fortification, Balekilla
and Duba from Sanjivani Machi

172. Sanjivani Machi – fortification and
Balekilla from Sanjivani Machi

173. Double wall construction

174. Double wall construction

179. Torna

187. Un spoilt
Un hurried
Un touched
Un confined
Un expected
Un conquered
Un paralleled
Un paralleled
Un matched
Un stressed
Un stressed
Un limited
Standing as silent sentinels to history are the 350‐odd forts of Maharashtra. Beaten by
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the sea waves, lashed at by the torrential Deccan rains, or scorched in the blazing sun,
stand imposing ramparts and crumbling walls , the last lingering memories of
Maharashtra's martial times. Nowhere in the country would you encounter such a
profusion of forts. And such variety. Sited on an island, or guarding the seas or among
the Sahyadri hills, whose zig‐zag walls and rounded bastions sit like a scepter and
crown amidst hills turned mauve.