History Panhala

the history of panhala closely linked history of maratha empire, , founder, shivaji. panhala fort shivaji spent more 500 days, other childhood homes. maratha state capital until 1782 , in 1827 became part of british empire.

this imposing fort, 20 km northwest of kolhapur, built on outlying spur of sahyadris, rising more 400 m above plain, , largest of deccan forts. strategic importance of panhala, guarding 1 of principal routes through western ghat, can judged long , varied history. built between 1178 , 1209, first served headquarters of shilahara ruler bhoja ii, , subsequently passed hands of yadavas. favorite outpost of bahamanis of bidar; mahmud gawan, powerful prime minister, encamped here during rainy season of 1469. beginning of 16th century panhala absorbed kingdom of bijapur. adil shahis responsible strengthening , rebuilding ramparts , gateways. fort raided shivaji in 1659, not until 1673 able occupy permanently.

after sambhaji’s death in 1689, captured aurangzeb. however, re-captured in 1692 kashi ranganath sarpotdar under guidance of parshuram pant pratinidhi. in 1701 panhala surrendered aurangzeb, , here mughal emperor received english ambassador, sir william norris. within few months fort retaken maratha forces under pant amatya ramachandra. tarabai asserted autonomy founding independent dynasty. in 1782 these rulers shifted headquarters kolhapur. after local rebellion in 1844, panhala taken british. more 7 km of fortifications define approximately triangular zone of panhala fort. walls protected long sections steep escarpments, reinforced parapet slit holes. remaining sections have 5–9 m high ramparts, strengthened round bastions. unfortunately, east gate called char darawaja, through road passes on arrival @ fort, demolished british.

the fort has satellite fort visible . said there wells full ghee cure soldiers . well-known poet kavi moropant stayed here . nearby sambhaji temple, someshwar temple, teen darwaza, , raj dindi. sajja kothi. ambabai temple, shivaji used seek blessings before venturing on expeditions. pavankhind, baji prabhu deshpande laid down life cover shivaji s escape.

parashar caves

parashar caves

panhala traditionally considered residence of maharishi parashara. karvir or kolhapur puran, modern (1730) compilation, mentions panhala pannagalay (home of serpents). in old inscriptions name appears pranlak , padmanal.these supposed caves sage parashar lived. moropant, 18th-century marathi poet, wrote of work in these caves.moropant s birthplace panhala. these caves mentioned in karvir puraan tirths (holy water).