The Lion’s Fort – Sinhagad Fort

Sinhagad Fort is famous for its valor and that is etched in every stone and the soil of the fort. It has turned red as it was seeped by the blood of martyrs. From the time when a Koli chieftain, Nag Naik stoutly defended this fort against the might of the Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq for nine months to Jaswant Singh, Aurangzeb’s commander, who yanked his guns up the fort’s steep shoulders to chastise the insult to Shaista Khan, who was dismissed by Shivaji. This fort has been inculcated by tales of bravery.

Sinhagad Fort

It was there only where Shivaji’s general; Tanaji Malusare launched an attack to reminiscence the fort. In the resulting battle, Tanaji courageously laid down his life, but captured the fort. A lamenting Shivaji is known to have said, “Gad Ala Pans Sinh Gela” (The fort is won but the lion has gone). So the fort got its name Sinh (lion’s) gad (fort). The fort reminds of the valor of Tanaji for conquering the fort.

Tanaji Malusare Statue at Sinhagad Fort

The entrance of Sinhagad Fort

View from the Pune Darwaja