Pratapgad
is situated in Satara district, Maharashtra, India and
is 25 kms. from Mahabaleshwar. The Maratha king Shivaji
commissioned Moropant Trimbak Pingle, his prime minister,
to undertake the construction of this fort in order
to defend the banks of the Nira and the Koyna rivers,
and to defend the Par pass. The fort can be divided
into the lower fort and upper fort.
The fort can be divided into the lower fort and upper
fort.
The upper fort was built upon the crest of the hill.
It is roughly square, 180m long on each side. It has
several permanent buildings, including a temple to the
god Mahadev. It is located at the northwest of the fort,
and is surrounded by sheer cliffs with drops of up to
250m.
The lower fort is around 320m long and 110m wide. It
is located at the southeast of the fort, and is defended
by towers and bastions ten to twelve metres high. |
