Adventures in India

With a 2000 year old history and at 3400 ft high, Lohagad one of the magestic forts in the region. Lohagad ("The Iron fort") is one of the many hill forts of Chatrapati Shivaji and was used for keeping prisoners in the year 1564.
The fort itself is like turning time back to walk the ancient paths of brave warriors. For a history buff, this is one trip not tobe missed. Walking up through the well preserved fort, we cross three gates and wind through passages and terraces or landings that are directly overlooked and attackable by other higher places on the fort. Looks like there was a lot of planning to ensure that an invader was really at a huge disadvantage.

The fort has remains from the old occupation and most of the fortification and ramparts have endured the passage of time. Ganesh Darwaaja, has an inscription that the construction was initiated and done by Dhondopant under Nana Phadnis. Here are watch posts for guards.

Between Narayan & Hanuman Darwaaja there are two go downs. These were used for storage of granary. After entering the Maha Darwaaja we come across an old 'Dargah'. Besides the Dargah we come across the remnants of the court. Going towards right we come across 'Laxmi Kothi'. It is a big cave where 50 people can stay. The Kothi has many rooms. On Lohgad Laxmi Kothi is the only place for us to stay. The treasury of Nana Phadnis was kept here. In front of this place are two cannons.

Besides the cave are many other caves. On the northern side of the fort is a newly built Dargah. This is the tomb of Sheikh Umar. The history is interesting. Three Arabs named Sheikh Umar, Sheikh Salla and Sheikh Malang invaded Pune. Salla resided in Pune city and destroyed the temples. Malang went and stayed on what is known as Malanggad, near Kalyan. Umar seized Lohgad. A sage was meditating here. Umar threw him off the cliff and became the ruler here. Today his Dargah has gained importance as pilgrimage.

On top of the fort, dargas and a temple stand testimony to the mixed culture of those times. Very habitable caves, storerooms, vantage points and smaller niches for observing, patrolling guarding, etc capture the imagination, with every new discovery stressing the fort’s important responsibility of defense. This was one fort completely engaged in the protection of territory. The vinchukada – a curved jutting ridge, shaped rather like a scorpion’s tail, giving it its name is picturesque, but still maintains the grim functionality that makes a fort a key asset in defence. The views from here are stunning.

Going ahead from the old Dargah towards right there is small a temple of Lord Shiva. Going ahead we come across a small lake besides which there are drinking water reservoirs. This is only place on fort where we can get drinking water. After walking 15 to 20 min we come to a bigger lake, which was built by Nana Phadanavis. The lake is polygonal with 16 sides, and was constructed by Nana Phadnis. An inscription here tells us about that.

To the western side of the fort is 'Vinchu Kata', which reminds us of 'Sanjeevni Machi 'of Rajgad. It is 1500m long & 30m wide part of the mountain, separated from the main part. Viewing from the fort this portion looks like scorpion’s sting and hence it is called 'Vinchu Kata'. As named, this portion was to keep a watch on the surrounding region, and any activity of the enemy in its vicinity could be tackled. Ample quantity of water is available in this area. This 'Vinchu Kata' was used for keeping a watch on the nearby area. Here we can see some cannons. The bastion on the end of this machi is like the Armour of the fort.

In 1670, Shivaji Maharaj won this fort When Shivaji raided Surat all the wealth was brought to this fort under the supervision of Netaji Palkar. Shivaji used to keep a watch on Konkan and Bhor Ghat from these forts.

In the year 1751, Gaikwad and Dabhade family were incarcerated in this fort. In short, an incredibly powerful experience of history.