Malhargad is a hill fort in western India near
Saswad, from
Pune
Pune (; ; also known as Poona, (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Maharashtra, the official name from 1818 until 1978) is one of the most important industrial and educational hubs of India, with an estimated population of 7.4 million ...
. It is also known as Sonori Fort due to the village of
Sonori being situated at its base. The fort was named for the god
Malhari and was the last fort built by the
Marathas, in 1775.
[Inside fort Malhargad:Pune travel special: https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/travel/article/Pune-travel-special--Inside-Fort-Malhargad-15770183]
The Sahyadri range to the west of Pune in Velha taluka is split, and the forts Rajgad and Torna are on one branch while Forts
Sinhagad,
Purandar,
Vajragad and Malhargad on the other. This range is known as the
Bhuleshwar range which is spread along the east–west direction. The fort is believed to be built to keep watch on
Dive ghat along the Pune-Saswad route. The fort was built during the period of 1757 to 1760. The fort was built by Bhivrâo Yashvant and Krishnaji Mâdhavrâo Pânsê, a Peshwa Sardar,
who was the chief in charge of Tofkhana of the Peshwas. Citations of a visit of Elder Madhavrao Peshwe to the fort are available in historic documents. A palace, belonging to Panse, can be seen in the Sonori village though much of it is in ruins.
The fort is in good condition. There are two temples constructed side-by-side: the smaller for Lord
Khandoba
Khandoba (IAST: Khaṇḍobā), Martanda Bhairava, Malhari, or Malhar is a Hindu deity worshiped as a manifestation of Shiva mainly in the Deccan plateau of India, especially in the state of Maharashtra. He is the most popular Kuladevata (family ...
, and the larger for Lord
Mahadeva Mahadeva may refer to:
Religion
*Mahadeva, a title of the Hindu god Shiva
** Parashiva, a form of Shiva
** Parameshwara (god), a form of Shiva
*Para Brahman, a Hindu deity
*Adi-Buddha, in Buddhism, the "First Buddha" or the "Primordial Buddha"
*M ...
. From the top of this fort, the city of
Jejuri
Jejuri (Marathi pronunciation: ͡ʒed͡zuɾiː is a city and a municipal council in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India. The town has an important mandir to the Hindu Lord Khandoba, the Khandoba Mandir, which is one of the most visited ...
and
Parvati Hills can be seen.
See also
*
List of forts in India
*
List of forts in Maharashtra
This is list of forts in Maharashtra a state of India
# Achala Fort (Nashik)
# Agashi Fort
# Ahmednagar Fort
# Ahivant Fort
# Ajinkyatara
# Akola Fort
# Akluj Fort
# Alang Fort
# Ambolgad
# Anjaneri
# Anjanvel Fort
# Ankai Fort
# Antur For ...
References
External links
Brief description from the Maharashtra Government Gazetteer
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Forts in Pune district
Tourist attractions in Pune