replica of shivaji's forts in poladpur

March 14, 2008
Replica of Shivaji's forts coming up in Raigad
MRITYUNJAY BOSE

RAIGAD/MUMBAI: Replicas of forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, one of the greatest ever war strategists is coming up at Poladpur in Raigad district of Maharashtra thanks to the efforts of a group of adventurers. Once ready, it is going to be a major tourist attraction in the coastal Konkan region and for those who are interested in military history or the Maratha warrior's life.

Poladpur has historical significance as the memorial of Parmanand Nevaskar, the historian of Shivaji-era is located here. Parmanand had penned Shivbharat, considered one of the finest pieces of history. "The forts of Shivaji narrates a very rich history," says Prashant Bhutkar, the founder-member of Young Bloods Adventures, a Poladpur-based group, which is spearheading the movement on Shivaji's heritage.

Talking to The Herald from Poladpur, Bhutkar said that Shivaji had been associated with more than 150 forts across Maharashtra, however, they have selected around 15, which are being replicated. "We expect that it would cost nearly 15 lakh and it would be complete in a year's time," he said.

The forts that they have zeroed in are Pratapgarh, Panhala, Purandar, Shivneri, Raigad, Vijaydurg, Sinhgadh, Torna and a few others. "We will find from books that a major part of Shivaji's history revolves around these forts and hence these had been chosen," he said. The replicas would be of the ground size of 6x8 feet and 6x10 feet, while the height would be nearly three-and-a-half-feet.

Bhutkar said that they would be referring to books of aerial photography of Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray and noted photographer Gopal Bodhe. Both of them have clicked several aerial pictures of forts of Maharashtra. "We are also referring to several books on Shivaji Maharaj," he said.

"There is no such project in India or for that matter in the world, but we are taking a determined approach to complete the project," said Bhutkar, who himself had visited different forts of Shivaji, not once, but several times. Funds are a constraint, but people are helping in different ways. The replica would be made in cement.

For the project, they have acquired nearly 10 gunthas from the Poladpur Gram Panchayat near the memorial, Bhutkar, himself a tax consultant, said.


He also explains the relevance of the forts selected by his group for making replicas. The coronation ceremony of Shivaji was held in 1674 in the capital of the Kingdom of Marathas, Raigad. The Pratapgarh Fort was built during the reign of Shivaji in 1656 near the hill station of Mahabaleshwar atop a hill which offers a splendid view of the Raigad valley and the surrounding hills. It is where Afzal Khan was killed. The Sinhgadh fort commemorates the feats of Tanaji Malusare, a valiant Senapati in the Shivaji army. Shivaji was a great warrior, visionary and military genius. These qualities of the great Maratha Emperor are reflected in the design and construction of Sindhudurg Fort.

(This report was first published in The Maharashtra Herald-Pune)

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