01The king of forts
The hill was called Murumbdev. Shivaji fortified it in the 1640s, reportedly with treasure found while repairing Torna, and made it his seat. Three long spurs, the Padmavati, Suvela and Sanjivani machis, run out from a central citadel, the Balekilla, each walled with double ramparts. From here Shivaji ran the state through the years of Afzal Khan, Shaista Khan, Surat and Purandar. Saibai died here on 5 September 1659, while Afzal Khan’s army was approaching. After his escape from Agra in 1666, Shivaji came back to Rajgad. Rajaram was born on the fort in 1670.
02The move to Raigad
Rajgad was too close to the Mughal plains around Pune, and Shivaji moved his capital to the more remote Raigad in the early 1670s. The fort stayed among the strongest in Maratha hands. Today it is a hard but well-loved trek: the Balekilla’s last stretch is cut steps and iron rails, and trekkers sleep in the Padmavati temple on the machi below.
The life of this place
- 1640sShivaji fortifies Murumbdev as Rajgad and makes it his capital.
- 5 September 1659Saibai, Shivaji’s first queen, dies on the fort.
- 1670Rajaram, Shivaji’s younger son, is born at Rajgad.
About 50 km from Pune, from the base village of Gunjavane or Pali. Allow a full day; avoid the steepest paths in heavy rain.
