Vishalgad Fort

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About Vishalgad Fort:

It is an ancient fort situated at Vishalgad village in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra.
Also called Khelna or Khilna by the locals, Vishalgad Fort was one of the important fortsof the Maratha Empire.
History:
- It was built in the year 1058 by Shilahara king Marsinh and was initially known as Khilgil.
- In 1209, the then king of Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri defeated Shilaharas and captured the fort.
- In 1309, Allauddin Khilji defeated King Ramchandra of the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri, and soon the fort was attached to the Khilji dynasty.
- Later, the fort was under the rule of the Vijayanagar Empire, and then the Adishlahi dynasty.
- In 1659, Shivaji captured the fort from Adilshah and renamed the fort ‘Vishalgad’ which means grand or giant fort.
- During the times of the Maratha Empire, Vishalgad was made the capital of a large region consisting of ninety towns and villages in Kolhapur and Ratnagiri districts.
Features:
- The structure covers an area of 1130 m and was built on a hilltop in the Sahyadri mountain ranges at a height of 3500 feet above sea level.
- The famous Dargah of Hazrat Sayed Malik Rehan Meera Saheb, which is visited by thousands of tourists, is located in the fort.
- Some of the temples inside the complex are Amruteshwar Temple, Shri Nrusinha Temple, and Sati`s Vrindavan.
- The fortress also includes tombs dedicated to Phulaji Prabhu Deshpande and Baji Prabhu Deshpande, who served under Chatrapati Shivaji.

Q1: Who was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj?

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of the Maratha Empire in western India. He was born on February 19, 1630 to Shahaji Bhosle and Jijabai in the fort of Shivneri, near the city of Junnar of the Pune district. With his valor and great administrative skills, Shivaji carved out an enclave from the declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur. It eventually became the genesis of the Maratha Empire. He was known as the Father of Indian Navy, Shivaji was the first to realize the importance of having a naval force, and therefore he strategically established a navy and forts at the coastline to defend the Konkan side of Maharashtra.

Source: Agitation at Vishalgad Fort in Kolhapur turns violent