Pratapgad Fort
Looking for some beautiful historical places? Pratapgarh Fort is one of the best Satara tourist places that you mustn’t miss. Well, the fort is completely suitable for clicking stunning pictures and photographs.
Pratapgarh Fort is quite nearby Mahabaleshwar and is one of the most popular hilltops in Maharashtra. Astounding valleys, lakes and the entire city is visible from the hilltop of Pratapgad Fort. If you want to visit Pratapgarh Fort, then Monsoon would be the right season for you. It gives a mesmerizing pleasant feel of fresh rains, beautiful clouds, and cold weather.
History
The task of building the fort was given to the prime minister of Shivaji named Moropant Trimbak Pingle and was constructed for defending the river banks of the Koyna and Nira rivers. The famous Battle of Pratpgarh was also fought here. After numerous invasions and destruction, in the year 1957, a 17 feet high statue of Shivaji made of equestrian bronze was unveiled. The same year a road was constructed by PWD for better communication and transportation. In the year 1960, a national park and a guest house were also built inside the fort. This fort is now owned by Uday Raje Bhosale who is the heir to the former princely State of Satara.
Architecture
The Fort has been divided into two different parts, which are known as Upper and Lower Fort. The upper fort is built upon the summit of the hill, it is built in a rough square schedule with 180m in length, and the length of each side is equal. The upper fort assists with the ancient and permanent temple of Lord Mahadev or popularly known by his name Shivaji. The temple is found northwest of the fort, and it is surrounded by a Sheer cliff which is a 250m drop.
On the other hand, the lower part of the fort is 320m in length and width of 110m. This is found in the southeast part of the fort. The lower part of the fort is for the security or defense of towers and bastions which are approximately 10-12 meters in total height.
The Afzal Tower is extended elsewhere from that of the actual fort and it protects the approaching way to the fort. It is well thought out to be constructed after the war or battle of the Pratapgad and to believe the head of Afzal Khan has been buried under the same ground as the tower.
Furthermore, it has also come to believe that during that era, of 1661, Shivaji Raje was not able to visit the goddess Bhavani temple which was located in Taljapur, therefore he thought of building the construction of the temple in the name of the Goddess, and dedicated the temple which can be positioned in the fort. Hence the temple is to be found on the eastern side of the fort, the lower one. The temple's hall construction was rebuilt. The hall is a structure with pillars which are of wood, and the pillars are about 50m in length and the broad is 30, although the height is 12m. The pilgrimage is built out of stone, and the pilgrimage is given the portrait of the Goddess, which is found with the black clothing image, finished with stonework. The top roof is however flat, although it has been covered with a small spire, or even called Shikhar, which was located by Satara Raja Pratapsinha.
