RAIGAD FORT

RAIGAD FORT

Context:

President Ram Nath Kovind begins his four-day visit (December 6-9) to Maharashtra to Raigad Fort, where he will pay tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

About the Fort:

• Raigad Fort is a hill fort located 25 kilometres from Mahad in the Raigad region and stands 2,851 feet above sea level.
• According to the British Gazette, the fort was known as Gibraltar of the East too early Europeans.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built it and its chief engineer was Hiroji Indulkar.

Historical Significance:

• The fort, formerly known as Rairi, was the seat of the Maratha family of Shirke in the 12th century.
• Many dynasties from Bahaminis to the Nizamshahis and the Adilshahis resided in the fort.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji captured it from the More’s of Javli, in 1656.
• Shivaji changed the fort’s name to Raigad and added some structures in 1662.
• By 1664, the fort became the seat of Shivaji’s government.
• Shivaji was crowned on June 6, 1674, at Raigad fort by Gagabhatt, where he took on the title of Chhatrapati.
• In 1680, Shivaji passed away in Raigad and was cremated at the fort.