2022-07-30 Sat

Simhagad fort, also known as Kondhana’ is the most prominent fort in Pune. Sinhagad, which means Lion’s Fort, is about 30 kilometers southwest of Pune. Previously it was called Kondana, and it was one of the most prominent forts because of its location, it has a strategic location at the center of a string of other Maratha Empire forts such as Rajgad Fort, Purandar Fort, and Torna Fort. The fort has witnessed many battles, most notably the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670.

The fort Simhagad is named after a great Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare. Tanaji Malusare was a general of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He was the most trusted and brave general of the Maratha Empire. The fort of Simhagad was captured by the Mughal army, to recapture the fort he fought a battle with the Mughal army and lost his life. After hearing news of his death, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj said. “We won the fort but lost the lion” (“Gad Ala Pan Sinha Gela”), and so after his death, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj renamed this “Kondhana” fort to “Sinhagad”.

Image Courtesy: colnect.com