FORTS IN INDIA : PURANDAR FORT

PURANDAR FORT

 LOCATION

   Purandar is about 40 kms south-east of Pune and some 10 kms south-west of Sasawad.  Perched on a gigantic mountain mass, its height above sea-level is 1398 metres and about 700 metres above the plain at its foot.  It really comprises two fortresses: Purandar, the stronger and more important of the two, and Vajragarh, small sister fort situated on a ridge running out east of it.  Purandar has two parts: the upper or Balekilla with precipitous sides all around and the lower part or machi about 300 metres above the plain. On the north side of the lower part there is a broad terrace comprising the cantonment area of the fortifications.  There are many monuments, old and new, on the terrace.  Towards the east of the terrace, beyond a narrow ridge, lies the fort of Vajragarh, also called Rudramal.

   From the cantonment are of the terrace a winding path leads to the upper fort.  The approach is commanded by the Dilli Darwaza, the main gate.  The most important monuments, on the summit of the hill is the old temple of Kedareshwar.
   There is Narayaneshwar Temple at the base of Purandar fort in Narayanpur village, built by Yadavas , dedicated to lord Krishana. There is also a church at the Purandar fort at the top, built by the British when they capture this fort.

HISTORY

   The history of the Purandar fort goes back to the 13th century.  The Bahamani Sultans in the 14th century built here some walls and bastions.  From 1484 AD, for about a hundred years, the fort remained in the hands of the Nizamshahi rulers.  In 1596 AD, the fort was given as Jagir to Maloji Bhosale, grandfather of Shivaji.  However, Shivaji had to struggle very hard to establish his control over the fort in 1646 AD.  In 1665 AD, Purandar was besieged by the mighty Mughal forces under the command of Jai Singh and Dilir Khan.  In the ensuing battle Murarbaji Deshpande , the gallant commander of the fort, was killed.  Shivaji, under a treaty, had to surrender to the Mughals his 23 forts, including Purandar and Vajragarh.  At the lower fort a statue of Murarbaji Deshpande has been installed in his memory.

   Purandar was recaptured by Shivaji in 1670 AD Later it became a favourite retreat of the Peshwas. Purandar was captured by the British in 1818 AD.  During the Second World War, the British kept here the German war prisoners. Dr. H. Goetz, one of the German prisoners, thoroughly studied Purandar and wrote a monograph on it.  After Independence there also functioned a National Cadet Crops (N.C.C.) Training unit at the top.
   Currently under the control of Army Force. 

HOW TO REACH
   From Mumbai / Pune : Mumbai- Banglore Highway/ Mumbai- Pune Expressway and NH 48 to reach  Narayanpur village. Average time to reach without traffic is 3 hour and 30 minutes. From Pune ST buses are available from Pune to Saswad which take us to the Purandar fort. There are also buses available to Narayanpur from Hadapsar. ST buses which ply from Saswad to Bhor which will take you to the Ghat of the Purandar Matha  which is Narayanpur village. There is a road on the left side which go straight to Binny Darwaja.
  Once you reached to gate , you will have to produce your ID before entering the fort.From fort base, it will take around 45 minutes to go to the top of the fort. Fort closing time is 5 pm so make sure you have to reach before the fort gate closing time.From fort base, you would not be allowed to carry mobile phones and cameras with you. Need to be deposited near entrance gate.

Accommodation

One can stay in military campus or in the bungalows, but permission should be taken from Military officers.

                                                  Map of Purandar fort