Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Raigad Fort, King of Forts


Brief History
Raigad is the very heart of Maratha country wherein is situated the famous Raigad fort.

In 1656, in a fierce battle, Shivaji defeated Chandarrao More. And won the fort. This fort was considered to be a fantastic military site that had tremendous security potential.

Strategically perched atop a wedge-shaped block of hill, split off from the Western Ghats and inaccessible from three sides. Unfortunately, it had little by way of fortification.
4 years later, in the summer of 1670, Shivaji moved his capital to Raigad. Raigad got its name from the mountain Rairi. The fort was so inaccessible in those days that it came to be known as the Gibraltor of the East.
It was in this fort that Shivaji was coronated on 6th June, 1674. He also breathed his last here on 3rd April 1680.