Forts & Heritage
Maharashtra GK · किले और विरासत · 18 facts
Raigad Fort (Raigad district, 1030 m): Capital of Shivaji's Swarajya; contains his samadhi (memorial)
Sinhagad Fort (Pune, 1312 m): Tanaji Malusare died capturing it from Udaybhan Rathod (1670); 'Lion's fort'
Pratapgad Fort (Satara, 1080 m): Site of Battle of Pratapgad (1659); Shivaji killed Afzal Khan here
Shivneri Fort (Pune): Birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj (1630); contains Shivai Devi temple (Shivaji named after Shivai)
Torna Fort (Pune, 1403 m): First fort captured by Shivaji in 1646; highest fort in Pune district
Purandar Fort (Pune): Site of Treaty of Purandar (1665) with Mughal general Jai Singh; 23 forts ceded to Mughals
Lohagad Fort (Pune): Shivaji used to store treasury; connected to Visapur Fort; historic trade route fort
Daulatabad Fort (Aurangabad, 14th century): Originally Deogiri; one of India's strongest forts; Muhammed bin Tughluq renamed it
Gwalior Fort (MP): Tansen's tomb inside; Scindia family association; one of India's largest medieval forts
Ajanta Caves (UNESCO, 1983): 30 Buddhist rock-cut caves near Aurangabad; paintings date from 2nd century BC to 650 AD
Ellora Caves (UNESCO, 1983): 34 rock-cut caves (12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu, 5 Jain) carved between 600-1000 AD
Kailasa Temple (Ellora Cave 16): World's largest rock-cut monolith; built by Rashtrakuta king Krishna I (8th century)
Elephanta Caves (Mumbai Harbour, UNESCO): 5th-8th century AD; famous for Trimurti Sadashiva sculpture (6 m high)
Saptashrungi Fort (Nashik): Temple fortress of Goddess Saptashringi; considered as one of Maharashtra's Shakti Peethas
Bidar Fort (historically connected to Maharashtra): Built by Bahmani Sultanate (1428); later Bidar Sultanate capital
Maharashtra has 350+ forts — highest number of historical forts in any Indian state
Janjira Sea Fort (Raigad coast): Only fort in India never conquered; built by Siddis (Abyssinian rulers) in 16th century
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Mumbai, 1887): UNESCO World Heritage Site; Victorian Gothic railway architecture