Shivneri

About:

Shivneri Fort is one of the most magnificent as well as historically rich forts of India. It is situated at a distance of approximately 90 km from the Pune city of Maharashtra. The fort dates back to the time period when Shivaji was not even born yet. Shivneri Fort was built under the aegis of Sahaji, the father of Shivaji, who wanted a strong fortification that could protect his family from the enemies. Infact, Jijabai (Shivaji's mother) spent the days of her pregnancy here and it was here only that Shivaji Maharaj was born, in the year 1627.

Almost the entire childhood of Shivaji was spent playing inside the compound of the fort. He received most of his basic education here only and the lessons he learnt here were responsible, to quite an extent, in shaping his personality as a great ruler. Apart from its connection with Chhatrapati Shivaji, the fort is also quite popular for its magnificent architecture. To make the Shivneri Fort enemy proof, Sahaji ordered the construction of seven massive gates. One has to go through all the seven to gain entrance into the fort.

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History:

The wide base of the fort is towards the south and the narrow point is towards the north. The ascending path to the fort is defended by seven gates, the fifth one being armoured with anti-elephant spikes. The fort has several rock-hew cisterns and ponds, of which two large ones are known as Ganga and Jumuna. Today, there are only a few structures remaining in the fort. At one end there is a ruined stable and at the other end a mosque of the Mughal period. The house where shivaji was born (in February, 1630 AD) has been recently restored and a temple with statues of Shivaji and Jijabai called Shivakunja, has also been built. Sir Richard Temple in his book Shivaji and the Rise Marathas wrote about Shivaneri: You will see what a rugged precipitous place this is and what a fitting spot it was for a hero to be born in!

Junnar means "Jirna Nagar", one of the oldest cities of ancient India. The Shaka dynasty ruled here. Gautamiputra Satkarni, who was a Satvaahan king, defeated the Shakas to establish his rule. The era of Satvaahan is the most glorious one, as many artistic works were carried out during their rule. Junnar became their capital city. This was the golden era of our culture. Here more than 100 caves were carved out in the mountains surrounding Junnar. The mountain on which fortification was constructed, is well protected by steep scarps, and is the most suitable for constructing caves. Here 64 caves were carved, and eight inscriptions are found here. After the Satavahanas, the Shivneri for was occupied by the Shilaharas, the Yadavas, the Bahamanis and the Mughals. In 1599 AD the hill fort was granted to Shivaji's grandfather, Maloji Bhosale and passed down to Shahaji. Though Shivaji was born here, he had to surrender the fort to the Mughals and could not take it back in his lifetime.

Shivaji Maharaj left this fort in 1632 and it went into the hands of Mughals in 1637. In 1650 the local fishermen refuted against them. The folks lost to the rulers and were assassinated cruelly on the fort. In 1678 the Marathas raided Junnar, but attempt to capture Shivneri was futile. Shahu Maharaj brought the fort under his control forty years later. Later it was under the control of Peshwas.

The Shivneri cluster forts, comprising Harishchandragad, Junnar, Jivadhan, etc. was very important strategically, because it controlled the ancient Name Ghat Pass.

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Badami Talav, a small pond situated in the heart of the fort, is one of its most endearing features. In the vicinity of the pond is a magnificent statue of Jijabai, along with her son Shivaji. There are a number of structures near the Shivneri Fort that are worth having a look at. Amongst them is a temple dedicated to Goddess Shivani. The local people of the area believe that Shivaji was named so, after the Goddess only. Then, there are the splendid Nane Ghat and the Jivdhan Fort. So, whenever you visit Pune, make sure to pay a visit to the historical fort also.

Near to the fort is Nane Ghat, providing a great view of Konkan Reigon and beautiful scenery. Very close to it is Jivdhan which is famus for trekking. One has to pass through seven doors to enter actual fort. At the center of the fort is a waterpond, 'Badami Talav' with statue of Jijabai with son Shivaji, to the south of it.

Shiv Janmasthan:
This is the place on the fort where the birth of Shivaji Maharaj took place. This place is named as Shiv Mandir. Ahead of Shiv Mandir there is a huge water tank.

Kadelot point :
This is the place where prisoners were punished by throwing them down the fort. This point is on the northern end of the fort.

Shiv Kunj :
Shiv Kunj is a monument constructed by the state government, in honor of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Inside Shiv Kunj there is an idol of Bal Shivaji and Jijabai made of “Panchdhatu” (An alloy of 5 metals.)

Kamani Masjid :
In front of Shiv Kunj on can see this Kamani Masjid. It might have been named Kamani because the top of this structure is like bow that is called as Kaman in Hindi. On the east-facing wall there is an inscription in Urdu.

Ganga Jamuna :
These are the water cisterns behind the Shiv Kunj. Water in these cisterns is potable. On whole of Shivneri there are more than 10 water tanks.

Koli Chauthara
This monument is built in the place where Mughals killed thousands of Koli soldiers in the year 1650.

Ambarkhana :
Every fort needs to have a warehouse for its storage of grains and food products. Ambarkhana is the place where huge amount of grain can be stored. The caretakers here keep this place very clean.When descending/ascending through the way near Ambarkhana all the seven doors of the fort can be visited. These doors help us to imagine the strength this fort would have given to its defender. The sequence of these doors is as follows

Badami talao:
At the center of the fort is a small lake, which provides for a good photo opportunity. It is flanked to the south by a large statue of a young Shivaji and his mother Jijabai.

Sound and light show:
The state government has started a light and sound show with a lot of fanfare at the fort on the lines of the show at Purana quila in New Delhi.

Temple of goddess Shivai:
The temple has a historic significance as Shivaji (who was also born at this very fort) was named after the goddess Shivai.

Buddhist caves:
There are hundreds of caves in and around the mountains of Junnar and several within the vicinity of Shivneri fort. Some of the caves located around Naneghat are known to be more than a thousand years old.

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

Nearest Visiting places:

• Kaman Take
• Kadelot Tok
• Koli Chouthara
• Dongarmatha (the top of the fort).
• Khodad
• Arvi
• Kukadi dam nearby

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

• Hotel Platinum (91-9850956421, 91-9922348234) in Annarpur, Junnar
• Hotel Aashiyana in Junnar or the state guest house (021-23222002).

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