Prabalgad

Prabalgad

Prabalgad Fort, also known as Muranjan and Pradhangad, is located between Matheran and Panvel in the Indian state of Maharashtra, at an elevation of 2300 feet in the Western Ghats. It was built on a plateau close to Matheran, but unlike Matheran it does not have a good source of water. It was known as Muranjan until it was taken over and renamed by the Maratha forces under Shivaji's rule.The fort contains a temple to Ganesh and some stone ruins. Its sister fort is Irshalgad. Right next to Prabalgad, to its north, lies the steep Kalavanti (also known as Kalavantin) Fort. Prabalgad is often confused with Kalavati, but they are two separate forts.

 

Prabalgad Fort in its present form, was built during Bahmani Sultanate to keep an eye on Panvel Fort and Kalyan Fort in North Konkan.Around 1458 AD, Malik Ahmad, the prime minister of the kingdom of Ahmednagar, took over the fort during his conquest of Konkan.After disintegration of Bahmani Sultanate, this fort remained with the Ahmadnagar Sultanate. During the collapse of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, Shahaji tried helping them unsuccessfully against the separate forces of the Mughal Empire and the Adil Shahi dynasty and moved to Muranjan, along with wife Jijabai and younger son Shivaji for a brief period. However following Shahaji's defeat and agreement of Mahuli, North Konkan, along with this fort, was ceded to Mughals who granted ruling authority of the area to Adilshah of Bijapur.The fort was conquered by Shivaji from the Mughals in 1657, after he establishing himself in the Kalyan-Bhivandi area. At the time of the attack the fort was governed by Kesar Singh, a Mughal sardar, and was the only fort to put up a strong resistance. On seeing the signs of defeat the women in the fort performed Jauhar, a tradition of self-immolation to ensure an honorable and respectful death. Singh died during the battle in October 1657. Singh's mother hid herself and her grandchild during the attack. Shivaji in an act of kindness made sure the lady and the child were allowed a safe passage out.

In the year 1826 Umaji Naik, a freedom fighter, and his associates are believed to have made this as their home for a brief period of time

Best time to visit Prabalgad Fort

October to May is the best time to visit this place as the weather is very pleasant and the time is ideal for trekking. You might want to avoid trekking in monsoons as the steps can be very slippery and trekking can be dangerous in this season. 

How to Reach Prabalgad Fort

• Rail: Panvel is well connected to Navi Mumbai and Mumbai by road and rail. The transport system to the place is excellent. Buses, local trains and taxis are the main ways to reach Prabalgad from Panvel.
• Road: State transport buses are available to most of the nearby places and there are two major bus stands that are present in the city of Panvel .Mumbai, Pune and Navi Mumbai have well linked bus services from Panvel. From Panvel, you can take a taxi to Prabalgad.

Getting Around Prabalgad Fort

You have to walk on foot to see the Kalavantin Fort. At the base town of Prabalgad.

             HAPPY JOURNEY