1. There are nearly 350 forts in Maharashtra, so it is said that forts are the glory of Maharashtra. Most of these forts are associated with the great Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is believed that he developed as many as thirteen forts. 
Compiled by
CS Ooi

2. Forts in Maharashtra
Nowhere in the country would you encounter such a profusion of forts. And such variety. Sited on an island, as at Murud-Janjira or guarding the seas as at Bassein, or among the Sahyadri hills, as at Raigad, whose zig-zag walls and rounded bastions sit like a sceptre and crown amidst hills turned mauve.
Most of the forts in Maharashtra whether up in the hills or near the seas are associated with Shivaji --the great Maratha warrior and an equally great fort builder. Moreover, these forts were treated as mini-cities, such as Panhala, which is now a hill station. The concept of the fort-city was, however, not peculiar to Shivaji alone. The Portuguese who came to India as traders and missionaries, built within a century of their coming, Bassein, a garden city to rival many a European capital.

3. Map showing position of Maharashtra State in India

4. Forts in Maharashtra Ahmadnagar
Built in 1490 AD, is located 1 km away east of Ahmadnagar city in Maharashtra. This 500-year old fort is circular in shape and has 18m high wall reinforced with 22 bastions. 

5. Forts in Maharashtra Ajinkyatra
Ajinkyatra Fort is in Satara, Maharashtra. The fort is located at Ajinkyatara Mountain, which is 3,300 feet high. As the fort is in the higher altitude, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the entire Satara city.

6. Forts in Maharashtra Alibaug

7. Forts in Maharashtra Arnala

8. Forts in Maharashtra Chakan
Chakan Fort is located at Chakan near Pune in Maharashtra. The last Maratha-British war was fought in this fort. This fort was built keeping in mind that it might become a rare kind of fort in Maharashtra. 

9. Forts in Maharashtra Samadhi of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

10. Forts in Maharashtra Daulatabad
Daulatabad is located at a distance of 13 km from Aurangabad. This fort, which was once known as Devagiri, is a magnificent 12th century fortress standing atop a hill. Constructed with excellent architecture, is one of the few invincible forts in Maharashtra.

11. Forts in Maharashtra Harishchandragad
Harishchandragad Fort is situated in Junnar region near Malshej Ghat. is famous for its height, its toughness and the famous 'Konkan Kada'. Harishchandra Temple is known to be the pride of the fort.

12. Forts in Maharashtra Janjira

13. Forts in Maharashtra Lohagad
Lohagad and Visapur Forts are situated atop an impressive hill near Malavali, 52 km away from Pune. These forts were built in the 18th century. A 1 km long ridge separates the two forts. These forts are regarded to be ideal for trekking and can be toured in a day from Pune. 

14. Forts in Maharashtra Mumbai
An old British fort was located at north of Colaba, so the area north of Colaba is known as Mumbai Fort. There are a lot of imposing buildings from Mumbai's golden period here. 

15. Forts in Maharashtra Murud-Janjira

16. Forts in Maharashtra Murud-Janjira
Murud-Janjira is located 60 km away from Alibaug, Maharashtra. This small village is on the top of a hillock. It is believed that the rulers of Ahmednagar constructed the fort in the 15th century. Despite the ravages of wind and tide, the fort is almost entirely intact.     

17. Forts in Maharashtra Pratapgad
Pratapgad Fort is a mountain fort built by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort is at a distance of 24 km from the hill station of Mahabaleshwar. The fort holds a sturdy view of coastal Konkan. The Bhavani Temple and Afzal Khan's tomb are other places of interest.   

18. Forts in Maharashtra Pratapgad

19. Forts in Maharashtra Pratapgad

20. Forts in Maharashtra Purandhar
Purandhar Fort is located at a distance of 40 km from Pune. It played an important role in the history of the brave ruler of the Maratha kingdom, Chhatrapati Shivaji. Purandhar was the capital of the Maratha Kingdom, when it was in the budding stages for quite sometime. 

21. Forts in Maharashtra Rajgad

22. Forts in Maharashtra Raigad
Raigad was the capital of the Marathas under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji built the fort in the 14th century. Chit Darwaja, also known as Jit Darwaja is at the foothills near village Pachad

23. Forts in Maharashtra Rajgad

24. Forts in Maharashtra Raje

25. Forts in Maharashtra ShivSamadhi
Chatrapathi Shivaji was born in Shivneri Fort in The Fort is located at a distance of around 3 km from Junnar (125 km from Pune). Shahaji, father of Shivaji kept his wife Jijabai in this fort during her pregnancy, as the fort was unique and difficult to reach. One has to get through 7 doors before reaching the actual fort. 

26. Forts in Maharashtra Sinhagad Fort

27. Forts in Maharashtra The End