Shivneri Fort Pune Maharashtra History and Interesting Facts

Shivneri Fort Quick Facts

Shivneri Fort Overview

Shivneri Fort is located in Junnar village in the city of Pune in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a historical fort in Maharashtra, as it is the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji. This fort was built in the 17th century by the Yadavas on Naneghat hill, with which its height is about 3500 feet.

Shivneri Fort History

Pune district was first ruled by Shivneri Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. The Yadavas ruled here from about 1170 AD to 1308 AD. In the same period Shivneri fort was built on Naneghat hill, after which in 1443 AD the owners defeated the Yadavas and captured the fort. Later, on the weakening of the Delhi Sultanate, this fort was given to the Bahmani Sultanate and then to the Sultan of Ahmednagar in the 16th century.

In 1595, this fort was gifted by the Sultan of Ahmednagar to Maloji Bhosale, grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji Bhosale. After which Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Bhosale was born on 19 February 1630 in Shivneri Fort itself. With which Chhatrapati Shivaji spent his childhood in this fort. After this, in 1673 AD, the English traveler visited this fort and he established his authority over this fort. After the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1820, the fort came under the control of British rule.

Shivneri Fort Interesting Facts

1. Shivneri Fort is triangle shaped, with its entrance from the southwest side of the hill.
2. Apart from the main gate of the fort, there are entrance gates on all four sides, which in common language is called Chain Gate.
3. There are strong earthen walls all around the fort, which helps in preserving the fort.
4. The main buildings inside the fort are prayer halls, a tomb, and a mosque. There is an overhanging at the end of the fort. Where the execution of the fort took place.
5. Many gates have been built to protect the fort, but among all the gates there is only one important door, which is called Man Darwaza.
6. Student Shivaji was born in the fort, and he lived in this fort till the age of about 10 years.
7. Presently the idol of young Chhatrapati Shivaji along with the idol of his mother Jijabai is kept inside the fort. Which addresses Shivaji's childhood and place of birth.
8. In the center of the fort there is a clean water pond, which is called Badami Talab. And in the southern part of this pond, the idols of Jijabai and Shivaji Maharaj are kept.
9. There are two springs inside the fort, which are known as Ganga and Yamuna, these springs have the most beautiful view in the whole fort, but there is a special thing about these springs that they have water throughout the year.
10. At a distance of 2 km from Shivneri Fort are the Lenyaandri Caves, which are one of the largest temples in all of Maharashtra and have been declared as a protected monuments.

How to reach Shivneri Fort

• The Nearest town to the fort is Junnar and it is well connected by road, the distance from the fort to the city of Junnar is 2 to 3 kms and the city is only 90 kms from Pune.
• There are several Railway stations in the city of Pune, 90 km from Shivneri Fort. The nearest railway stations are Shivajinagar Railway Station, Pimpri Railway Station, Chinchwad Railway Station, and Pune Junction.
• Apart from this Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai is the nearest airport to Pune city and Shivneri Fort. From where the fort can be reached.