Pratapgad Fort

A famous hill fort in maharashtra. In Jawali taluka of Satara district, southwest of Mahabaleshwar, Su. 13 km is up. It is 1902 m above sea level. 340m on the east side. And 870 m to the west. There is a deep gorge. After Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj conquered the Jawali valley, he ordered Moro Trimbak Pingale to build this fort in 1656.

The fort is divided into three parts namely Main Fort, Machi and Balekilla. There are strong ramparts and bastions around the fort for protection. Among them Afzal, Redka, Rajpahara, Kedar etc. The remains of the bastions have survived. the Afzal Buruj is unique in that it is at the end of streep mountain ridge, called as Machi.

Ch. Shivaji Maharaj had established the temple of 'Tulja-Bhavani' mata at this place. This original temple is only made of stones. Hundreds of kilometers of konkan region can be seen from this fort. The cannons scattered in different places on the fort are brought to the temple.

The historic significance of Pratapgad was enhanced by the visit of Afzal Khan-Ch. Shivaji Maharaj and the massacre of Afzal Khan on the occasion (1659).