Sinhagad Qila
Sinhagad Fort is a magnificent hill fortress in Shaydri ranges. An ancient rock fort located at Sinhagad Ghat Road at Thoptewadi atop the Bhuleswar Hill at 1312 meters, built on the plateaus with its ramparts surrounded through plains. It has a defensive trench with steep slopes on major sides of this hill. From its base, begining from the foot hills, the fort has a very unique pathway built on stone blocks which were carved on rocks. These steps are supportive to climb the hill. There are many carved rock caves with Hindu temples like the Kaundinyeshwar temple.
The fort has beautiful carved pillars with palaces. The tombs of Tanaji Malusare, a military commander and Rajaram, son of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are here. Sinhagad means lion Fort, also known as the Kondhana Killa in Marathi that is derived from Ajnata Kaundinya, who was a monk. He spent most of his time in these caves for mediation. This all happened at the times of Sakhyas Dynasty of Kapilavasthu.
That’s why, caves on this region are 1500 to 500 BC old, which is believed to be build during Vedic Era of India. While the fort’s history can be traced from medieval times. On 1328 AD, Sinhagad was in the control of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, a Turkish invader who kept Sinha- -gadh fort for expansion of his empire to southern India by defeating Kakithiyas at Deccan.