Discover Maharashtra's Rich Heritage: Top 10 Must-Visit Forts You Can't Miss!

Maharashtra is home to many forts due to its rich historical past. The state was ruled by several dynasties, including the Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Adilshahis, Mughals, and Marathas, who built many forts for their military purposes.

These forts were strategically built on hilltops or near rivers to provide a natural defense against enemies. Many of these forts have stood the test of time and are still standing today, attracting tourists from all over the world.

Some of the 10 most famous forts in Maharashtra are:

Raigad Fort

Raigad Fort is a hill fort situated in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. It was built in the 17th century and served as the capital of the Maratha Empire under the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The fort is situated on a hilltop at a height of 820 meters above sea level and covers an area of approximately 1,300 acres. It has several entrances, including the Maha Darwaja, which is the main entrance to the fort.

The fort has several structures, including the ruins of the main palace, the Rajwada, which was the residence of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and the Takmak Tok, a cliff that was used for punishing criminals by throwing them off the edge.

The fort also has several other structures such as granaries, water reservoirs, and temples. The most notable temple on the fort is the Jagdishwar temple, which was built during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Visitors can reach the fort by climbing approximately 1,700 steps or by taking a ropeway. The ropeway was installed in 1996 and covers a distance of 1.4 kilometers.

Pratapgad Fort

Pratapgad Fort is a hill fort located in the Satara district of Maharashtra. It was built in the 17th century by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire.

The fort is situated on a hilltop at an elevation of 1,080 meters above sea level and covers an area of approximately 350 acres. The fort has two main parts: the upper fort and the lower fort. The upper fort contains several structures, including the Afzal tower, the Bhavani temple, and the tomb of Afzal Khan.

The lower fort contains a large courtyard, which was the site of the famous battle of Pratapgad fought between the Marathas and the Mughals in 1659. It was one of the most significant battles fought by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and the Marathas emerged victorious.

The fort also has a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on horseback, which was erected in 1957 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the battle of Pratapgad.

Visitors can reach the fort by climbing approximately 500 steps or by taking a car to the parking area near the fort's entrance. The fort is open to visitors throughout the year, and it is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra.

Pratapgad Fort has great historical significance and is a testament to the Maratha Empire's military prowess under the leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort is also surrounded by scenic beauty, including forests, hills, and waterfalls, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

Shivneri Fort

Shivneri Fort is a hill fort located in the Junnar taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra. The fort is situated on a hilltop at an elevation of 1,420 meters above sea level, and it covers an area of approximately 1.6 square kilometers.

The fort is known for being the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. It is believed that Shivaji Maharaj was born on this fort in 1630 AD.

The fort has several structures, including a statue of Jijabai, the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and a temple dedicated to the goddess Shivai Devi. The fort also has several water tanks, granaries, and a mosque.

Visitors can reach the fort by climbing approximately 200 steps or by taking a car to the fort's entrance. The fort is open to visitors throughout the year, and it is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra.

Apart from its historical significance, Shivneri Fort is also known for its scenic beauty, which includes forests, hills, and waterfalls. The fort is surrounded by several trekking trails, making it a popular destination for adventure enthusiasts.

Shivneri Fort is a testament to the Maratha Empire's legacy and serves as a reminder of the remarkable life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who was one of India's greatest warriors and statesmen.

Sinhagad Fort

Sinhagad Fort, also known as the Lion Fort, is a hill fort located near the city of Pune in Maharashtra. The fort is situated at an elevation of 1,300 meters above sea level and covers an area of approximately 25 acres.

The fort has great historical significance as it was the site of several battles fought between the Marathas and the Mughals. It was captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1647 AD and remained under Maratha control until 1818 AD.

The fort has several structures, including a memorial to Tanaji Malusare, a Maratha general who died while capturing the fort from the Mughals in 1670 AD. The fort also has several other structures, including a Kali temple, a Hanuman temple, and a tomb of Rajaram Chhatrapati, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Visitors can reach the fort by climbing approximately 2,000 steps or by taking a car to the fort's entrance. The fort is open to visitors throughout the year, and it is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra.

Rajgad Fort

Rajgad Fort is a hill fort located in the Pune district of Maharashtra. The fort was built in the 17th century by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire, and it served as the capital of the Maratha Empire for 25 years.

The fort is situated at an elevation of 1,376 meters above sea level and covers an area of approximately 24 square kilometers. The fort has several structures, including the Padmavati temple, the Bale Killa (the citadel), and the Suvela Machi (the watchtower).

The fort is known for its strategic location and served as an important center of the Maratha Empire's military operations. It was captured by the British in 1818 AD, and it remained under British control until India's independence in 1947.

Visitors can reach the fort by climbing approximately 1,400 steps or by taking a car to the fort's entrance. The fort is open to visitors throughout the year, and it is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra.

Torna Fort

Torna Fort, also known as Prachandagad, is a hill fort located in the Pune district of Maharashtra. The fort was built in the 16th century by the rulers of the Bahmani Sultanate and was later captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1646 AD.

The fort is situated at an elevation of 1,403 meters above sea level and covers an area of approximately 40 square kilometers. The fort has several structures, including a temple dedicated to the goddess Toranjai and several water tanks and granaries.

The fort is known for its historical significance and served as the first fort captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort played a crucial role in the Maratha Empire's military operations and was used as a base for several military campaigns.

Visitors can reach the fort by climbing approximately 2,000 steps or by taking a car to the fort's entrance. The fort is open to visitors throughout the year, and it is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra.

Panhala Fort

Panhala Fort is a hill fort located in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. The fort was built in the 12th century by the Shilahara dynasty and was later captured by the Bahmani Sultanate and the Adil Shahi dynasty before coming under Maratha control in 1659 AD.

The fort is situated at an elevation of 845 meters above sea level and covers an area of approximately 10 square kilometers. The fort has several structures, including a palace, a mosque, and a temple.

The fort is known for its historical significance and served as an important center of the Maratha Empire's military operations. It was captured by the British in 1827 AD and remained under British control until India's independence in 1947.

Visitors can reach the fort by climbing approximately 1,000 steps or by taking a car to the fort's entrance. The fort is open to visitors throughout the year, and it is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra.

Sindhudurg Fort

Sindhudurg Fort is a sea fort located in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. The fort was built in the 17th century by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and served as a key military outpost for the Maratha Empire.

The fort is situated on a rocky island in the Arabian Sea and covers an area of approximately 48 acres. The fort has several structures, including a temple dedicated to Shivaji Maharaj and a palace.

Sindhudurg Fort is known for its strategic location and played a crucial role in protecting the Maratha Empire's western coast. The fort was used to control trade along the Arabian Sea and served as a base for several naval expeditions.

Visitors can reach the fort by taking a boat from the nearby coastal towns of Malvan or Tarkarli. The fort is open to visitors throughout the year, and it is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra.

Janjira Fort

Janjira Fort is a historical fort located on an island in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Maharashtra. It is situated near the port town of Murud in the Raigad district and is considered one of the most impressive sea forts in India.

The fort was constructed in the 17th century by the Siddi dynasty, who were originally from Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia) and had settled in the region as powerful naval commanders for the local rulers. The fort was built to protect the Siddis' naval interests in the Arabian Sea and was strategically located at the entrance of the Murud-Janjira creek.

Janjira Fort is unique in that it is entirely built on an island and is surrounded by water on all sides. The fort's walls are over 40 feet high and 30 feet thick and were designed to withstand attacks from enemy ships. The fort's architecture is a blend of Indian and Islamic styles, with intricate carvings and designs adorning the walls and ceilings.

Visitors to the fort can explore its many chambers and courtyards, including the palace of the Siddi rulers, the mosque, and the freshwater tank. The fort also houses several cannons that were used to defend the fort against enemy attacks.

Despite being surrounded by water, Janjira Fort was never conquered by the British or any other foreign power. It was, however, subject to several attacks and sieges over the years, including by the Maratha Empire in the 17th century and the British East India Company in the 18th century.

Today, Janjira Fort is a popular tourist attraction and is visited by thousands of people every year. Its impressive architecture and rich history make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in India's cultural heritage.

Daulatabad Fort

Daulatabad Fort is a hill fort located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. The fort was built in the 12th century by the Yadava dynasty and later served as a key military outpost for several rulers, including the Bahmani Sultanate, the Mughals, and the Marathas.

The fort is situated on a hill and covers an area of approximately 94 hectares. The fort has several structures, including a palace, a mosque, and a temple.

Daulatabad Fort is known for its strategic location and served as an important center of the Deccan plateau's military operations. The fort was captured by several rulers, including Ala-ud-din Khilji, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, and Aurangzeb.

Visitors can reach the fort by climbing approximately 750 steps or by taking a car to the fort's entrance. The fort is open to visitors throughout the year, and it is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra.