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| Ajinkyatara Fort | |
|---|---|
| Part of formerMaratha Empire, nowMaharashtra | |
| Satara District,Maharashtra(nearSatara) | |
 Entrance to Ajinkyatara fort | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Hill fort |
| Owner |
|
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Location | |
  Ajinkyatara Fort Shown withinMaharashtra | |
| Coordinates | 17°40′20.5″N73°59′43.4″E / 17.672361°N 73.995389°E /17.672361; 73.995389 |
| Height | 1,356 metres (4,400 ft) ASL |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Stone, lead |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj |
| Occupants | Chattrapati Shahu |
Ajinkyatara Fort, also known as the "Fort of the Sapta-Rishi," is a historical hill fort located on Ajinkyatara Mountain, one of the seven mountains surrounding the city ofSatara in theSahyadri Mountains of Maharashtra, India. Situated at an altitude of 3,300 feet, the fort overlooks Satara City and is considered one of the major heritage sites in Maharashtra.[citation needed]
Ajinkyatara Fort was built in the 16th century byRaja Bhoj of theShilhara dynasty. Throughout its history, the fort witnessed several pivotal moments in Maratha history. In 1673 CE,Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took control of the fort fromAdil Shah. During the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the fort keeper of Ajinkyatara Fort wasManajirao Sable Patil. Shahzada Azam, the eldest son of Emperor Aurangzeb, attacked the fort. The fort keeper, Manajirao Sable Patil, fought bravely to save the fort. Subsequently, between 1700 CE and 1706 CE, the fort was under the control ofMughal Emperor,Aurangzeb. In 1708 CE,Shahu Maharaj conquered Ajinkyatara, which remained with theMarathas until theBritish seized the fort in 1818 AD. Notably,Tarabai Raje Bhonsale captured the fort from the Mughals and renamed it Ajinkyatara. During the Mughal rule, the fort was known as Azamara.
Ajinkyatara Fort is surrounded by 4-meter-high thick walls with bastions and features two gates. The main gate, located close to the northwest corner, is fortified with high buttresses, while the smaller gate is situated in the southeast corner. Inside the fort, there are several water tanks used for water storage. Visitors can explore the temples ofDevi Mangalai,Lord Shankar, andLord Hanuman, located on the northeast side of the fort.
The fort is known for its Maratha architecture and its views of Satara City.[citation needed] It is also home to the television tower for the city of Satara, as well as the TV tower for Pune. Ajinkyatara Fort attracts tourists who are interested in hiking, trekking, and mountaineering.[citation needed] The fort's trek is relatively easy.[citation needed] Additionally, a motorable road provides direct access to the fort's summit.
Ajinkyatara Fort is a tourist attraction inSatara. Tourists can reach the fort via road, with a two-hour drive from Pune and a four-hour drive from Mumbai. The nearest railway station isSatara Road, and the closest airport isPune.
Apart from exploring the fort, visitors can engage in other activities in the vicinity. TheHanuman Temple, known for its spacious interior, and the Mahadev Temple are notable religious sites near the fort. Other attractions include Tara Rani's Palace, a significant historical site, the reveredMangaldevi Mandir, and the lakes within the fort.[citation needed]
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