Fort Panhala
Old Name: Pannagalay (Residence of Snakes)
Location: 20 km from Kolhapur
Height: - 953 meter from sea level.
Brief History: Fort Panhala was built by Raja Bhoj II (Shilahara dynasty), in 1187. Then it passed on to Singhan (Yadav Dynasty) and under Adilshahi rule, 1489. Fort Panhala is closely joints the history of the Maratha Empire. Chh. Shivaji Maharaja firstly captured this fort on 28th Nov. 1659 and spent more than one and half year time in this fort. Chh. Shivaji Maharaja escaped on July 13, 1660 from Panhala. Chh. Shivaji Maharaj was under siege of Siddi Jouhar on Panhala fort from 2nd March 1660. The siege lasted long and all food stocks had finished and made things difficult for Chh. Shivaji. It was impossible to defeat the 30,000 soldier’s troop of Siddi. Chh. Shivaji with some 600 mavalas (soldier) decided to escape to Fort Vishalgad, 65 km away. It was Ashadi Pournima, with heavy rains falling. Chh. Shivaji informed Siddi that he would surrender hence Siddi troops were little careless. Taking advantage Chh. Shivaji escaped from Panhala. He was not safe until he reached Vishalgad. Somehow, Siddi’s troops spotted Chh. Shivaji escape, he immediately sent Siddi Masood with horsed troops behind him and they got hold of Chh. Shivaji, who later brought to Siddi’s camp. However, it was Chh. Shivaji’s game plan; person whom they had caught was not Chh. Shivaji, but Siva Kashid Nhavi (A barber) who immediately killed. Siddi somehow came to know that Chh. Shivaji was on his way to Vishalgad, and so sent troops behind him. Chh. Shivaji knew that Siddi’s troops were following him. Veer Baji Prabhu, Chh.Shivaji’s loyal sardar decided to stay in Ghod Khind with 300 mavalas, a col were mountain ridges near Vishalgad unite and was the only way to Vishalgad then. Baji with his 300 mavalas had guerilla warfare at Ghodkhind and held the Siddis troops there. They fought bravely until their death. It was only after Baji heard the canon fire indicating safe reach of chh. Shivaji at Vishalgad, he gave his life. It was 22-hour continuous journey from Panhala to Vishalgad. Story did not end here; Chh. Shivaji had to fight his way to Vishalgad. Vishalgad is a fort difficult to conquer, difficult to lay siege also even if siege laid, one would have enough time to escape to Konkan. Siddi was building siege on Vishalgad, but Chh. Shivaji with his diplomatic trick made Adilshah bring back Siddi Jouhar.
This fort recaptured by Ali Adil Shah II in January 1661. Annaji Pant, led by Kondaji Farzand regains Panhala, 6 March 1673. It was Maratha State capital until 1782 and in 1827.
Panhala fort is 20th km northwest of Kolhapur. The main importance of Panhala has guarding one of the principal routs through the Western Ghats.
What to See:
- Pusati Buruj (bastion) – An ancient time Pusati Buruj was a place of soldiers to keep an eye on enemy’s movement and prevent the attack for him. Its shows a beautiful natural view on Masai Pathar.
- Teen Darwaja (Three Gates) – Teen Darwaja was a one of the fully secure entrance to fort an ancient time.
- Ambarkhana – It also called at “Dhanya Kothar”. It is an administrative division as well as storage place, the Mint, and the granaries for the armies. There are three buildings titled Ganga, Jamuna, and Saraswati, the granaries could store as much as 25,000 Khandis of grain.
- Veer Baji Prabhu Deshpande – The great worrier who sacrifices of one’s life for Chh. Shivaji Maharaja.
- Char Darwaja: - This was a main entrance for Fort but unfortunately now these all are not exist.
- Someshwar Lake & Temple – A lake and Shiva’s Temple on the fort.
- Veer Shiva Kahshid - The great worrier who sacrifice of one’s life for Chh. Shivaji Maharaja.
- Sajja Kothi: Sajja Kothi offers a gorgeous view of Warana Valley below. Sajja Kothi is a three-storied building built by the Mohammedan.
- Andhar Baav: Baav means well. It is famous for ancient Architecture.
- Naykinicha Sajja: Ancient time dancing and singing entertainment place. It also called as Kalavantinicha Sajja.
- Nagzhari : Lake of Panhala Fort.
- Tabak Udyan : Garden & Snake museum.
Where to Stay:
Many Hotels and restaurant is available on Fort.
Now Panhala is Famous for hill station & one of the famous Tourism point of Kolhapur Dist.
Nearest Place: Masai Plateau (5 km), Jotiba Temple (12 km), Paijarwadi (15km), Amba Ghats(50 km)