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Sinhagarh Fort (Singhagad Fort) lies about 30 km southwest of the city
Pune in Maharashtra state. It stands on a high point of the Sahyadris
about 1315 meters above sea level. Rising more than 750 meters above the
surrounding plain, the fort is strategically located along a line of other
forts such as Rajgad, Purandar and Torna.
Previously known as Kondhana after the sage Kaundinya,
the fort has been a witness to many historic battles between Mughals and
Marathas. It's history goes back to 1340 when the Delhi Emperor Muhammad
Tughluq captured the fort from the Koli tribal chieftain, Nag Naik. And
in 1496, Malik Ahmad, the founder of the Nizam Shahi dynasty took it.
Nearly 200 years later, the Maratha leader Shahaji Bhonsale,
Shivaji's father (a general in the army of the Adil Shah) captured it.
In 1647, Shivaji held the stronghold, renaming it Sinhagad, Lion Fort.
Again, the fort subsequently changed hands on several occasions between
the Marathas and the Mughals. In 1670, it was again captured by Shivaji,
under the direction of Tanaji who was Shivaji's favourite general.
Legends has it that he and his men used ropes to raise
troops and animals up the sheer sides of the hill at night. Aurangazeb
laid siege to Sinhagad in 1701- 03, but could not hold it for long. Finally
the British seized the fort from the Marathas in 1818 AD. The fort was
later used as retreat for many European residents of Pune.
Situated in the Bhuleshwar range, this triangular ruined
fort, is ringed with steep cliffs from which rise sheer walls of
basalt more than 40 m high, reinforced by ramparts with regularly spaced
towers. On the west flank, the ramparts seal the mouth of a steep gorge.
There are two entrances, the Kalyan Darwaza in the south-east and the
Pune Darwaza in the north-east, both protected by three successive gates.
The hilltop is reached by a path passing through these three gates. The
first gate, flanked by a conical tower on the outer face, has a pointed
arched recess and battlements. The second Gate is similar, but ruined,
the third Gate is complete, with intact towers surrounded by a low wall.
The fort has the tomb of Tanaji near the damaged gorge, commemorates the
1670 exploit. It also houses tomb of Rajaram, Shivaji's younger son, who
also died here. Several British period bungalows are dotted about.
Sinhagarh is a popular day out for people from Pune,
with some enthusiasts trekking to the top of the fort from the base near
Sinhagad village. It is about one and half hour trek. From here one can
enjoy the majestic view of the mountain valley. The tower of Doordarshan
is also there on Sinhagad. The fort also serves as a training centre at
National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. One can see the Panshet, Khadakwasla
and Varasgaon dams and Torana fort also.
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Monuments 
