Shivneri Fort is situated in Junnar town of Maharashtra. Shivneri Fort is around 1000m asl and its base is around 780m asl which is about 220m of climb of around 400 steps, and is of type Giridurg (hill fort). Junnar is one of the oldest towns in India.
Timeline of Shivneri Fort History
1st Century AD
The mountain has many buddhist caves of around 1 century AD where as the fort and walls were built later around 16 17th century.
The fort was mainly built to guard and monitor the goods and transportation happening in Naneghat which is a mountain pass connecting Deccan to Konkan (Kalyan). Junnar was the capital of Shakraja Nahapana. Satavahana King Gautami putra satakarni captured the Junnar region and made it under his dynasty.
After the Satavahanas, Shivneri Chalukya and Rashtrakutas ruled under this rule.
11th Century AD
From about 1170 to 1308, the Yadavas formed their kingdom here.
14th Century AD
Later In 1443, Malik-ul-Tuajar defeated Yadavas and gained control of fort. In this way, the fort came under the rule of Bahamani.
In 1470, Malik Mohammed, the representative of Malik-ul-Tujar, again controled the fort. Nizamshahi was established in 1446 after the death of Malik Mohammed's father.
15th Century AD
In 1565, Sultan Murthyja Nizam, his brother Qasim was imprisoned on this fort.
Later in 1595 the fort and the Junnar region came to Maloji Raje Bhosale (grandfather of Shivaji Maharaj). While Jijamata was pregnant, Jadhavrao took 500 horsemen along with them and took her to the fort where Shivaji Maharaj was born and named after goddess Shivai Devi.
16th Century AD
In 1632, Shivaji Maharaj left the fort and control went under the Mughals in 1637. Many unsuccesful attempts were made to regain control.
17th Century AD
Finally after 40 years, in 1716 Shahu Maharaj brought the fort to Maratha and later it was under Peshwas.
18th Century AD
After the third Anglo Maratha war the fort went under British rule in 1820.However the fort is accessible by many routes, the main route is via multiple gates, doors or darwaja. The fort is easily accessible and has many things and remains to see in it. The fort is maintained by GOI and ASI. Parking is available.
What major attractions to see on Shivneri Fort:
After entering the region of Shivneri fort one has to gradually climb steps as well as pass through many doors to reach the top of the fort. This route is most used and is easy while another route is from Sakhal village which is more sort of a trek. There are lot of things to see in Shivneri. Total distance to walk till Kadelot point from base is around 2km with an altitude gain of 220m and climbing around 400steps.
One has to pass through seven gates up the fort to reach top plateau of Shivneri.
Mahadarwaja (Main Gate)
Ganesh Gate
This is one type of gate built on continuous wall on the rocks of mountain. This also has beautiful carved engravings on rocks.
Pir Gate
Another beautiful gate just like Ganesh gate with 3 arches.
Hatthi Darwaja (Elephant Gate)
This gate is gomukhi style in which the route turns before the gate so that elephants dont get momentum to burst through the doors as well as iron pricks are on all doors to prevent this.
Mena Gate
Permission Door
Just a door to access main gate of Shivneri
Kulup Gate
Last gate to enter the top of fort. Also known as lock gate.
On the way one will find many water tanks around the gates or at the top of the fort which was built for water storage and use for year around. There are many water tanks one of which is the Ganga Jamuna water tanks which are the two sources of spring water and has water year around.
Amberkhana
After crossing the last lock door or Kulup Gate, one will reach the top of Shivneri and a place called Amberkhana which was the store house of food grains. Amberkhana is beautifully made with arches and quite a good amount of space which when grains were stocked would suffice for many years. Amberkhana is now in ruins as some part of is broken. English traveller Fraze visited the fort in 1673 and found that if well-stocked it can feed thousand families for seven years.
After the Ambar khana one has to walk up further towards the Kadelot point which is the last point of the Shivneri Fort. On the way one can also see many of the other important ancient remains of the forts. Some are water tanks while some are rock structures and small temples. Some are below.
Koli Memorial
Koli memorial was built for many kolis who were sacrificed by the mugals during the war during 16th century when fort was taken over. Koli-Fishermens. This is situated at the top most point of the Shivneri mountain.
Idgah
Idgah is one structure close to Koli memorial which has Bahamani graves or tomb.
Walking further from Koli Memorial and Idgah structures which are at top most point of the mountain one will descend towards the Kadelot point which also has a Shivkunj (Birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj), Badami Lake and Kamani Mosque as well as Jijabai Garden.
Shivkunj (Birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj)
It is a block like structure made of basalt rocks which is a duplex and has 2 floors with steps. It has three windows protruding outwards like a balcony. Shivaji Maharaj was born in this place. Also here is the palki of Shivaji Maharaj. The view from top gives a nice view of Badami Lake. A good place made of basaltic rocks around the structure as well as Jijabai garden is also there.
Kamani Mosque
A mosque is also located near Shivkunj. The mosque has two pillars and a water tank below on its backside. The inside structure of it is beautifully carved.
Badami Lake
A lake in front of Kadelot which fills up in monsoon and dries up in summer. Quite a big lake which was used fro daily activities of the members of the fort. Also a water level indicator at the center of the lake and two arches at the end.
Kadelot Point
Kadelot point is the last point on the mountain. Kadelot means to throw the criminal from the cliff as a punishment. The enemy was handcuffed and tied up to stop movement. Then was thrown from Kadelot point head first. Many kadelot points can be made as it is a mountain. But only one point was specially made as Kadelot point to carry out punishment activities which had sheer cliff and free fall.
Shivneri fort is rich in history and laden with knowledge and gives a feel towards the past history of Maharashtra and India. Shivneri fort is easily accessible from any major towns. People from Mumbai have to cross a ghat known as Malshej Ghat in order to reach Junnar town.
How to Reach:
- Pune-Chakan-Junnar 95km
- Mumbai-Thane-Malshej-Junnar 155km
- Nasik-Sinnar-Junnar 150km
- Ahmednagar-Alephata-Junnar 110km
Key Points:
- Food at the base
- Parking Available
- Requires good amount of time to visit all points
- Easy climb
- 2km walk 220m of altitude around 400 steps
- Water available at top
