https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=LohagadLohagad - Revision history2026-07-31T02:45:10ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Lohagad&diff=375739&oldid=prevBot at 04:32, 2 November 20222022-11-02T04:32:35Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Fort in Maharashtra, India}}<br />
{{morefootnotes|date=February 2019}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}}<br />
{{For|the village|Lohagad, Mawal}}<br />
{{Infobox mountain<br />
| name = Lohagad<br />
<br />
| translation = <br />
| photo = Ganesh Darwaja Lohagad.jpg<br />
| photo_caption = Main entrance to Lohagad fort.<br />
| elevation_m = 1033<br />
| location = {{flagicon|IND}} [[Pune District]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]<br />
| map = Maharashtra<br />
| map_caption = Location of Lohagad in Maharashtra<br />
| map_size = 290<br />
| label_position = right<br />
| range = [[Western Ghats]]<br />
| coordinates = {{coord|18|42|32|N|73|28|36|E|type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}<br />
| easiest_route = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Lohagad''' is one of the many [[hill fort]]s of [[Maharashtra]] state in [[India]]. Situated close to the hill station [[Lonavala]] and {{convert|52|km|abbr=on}} northwest of [[Pune]], Lohagad rises to an elevation of {{convert|1033|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level. The fort is connected to the neighboring [[Visapur fort]] by a small range. The fort was under the [[Maratha empire]] for the majority of the time, with a short period of 5 years under the [[Mughal empire]].<br />
<br />
==History==<br />
Lohagad has a long history with several dynasties occupying it at different periods of time: [[Satavahanas]], [[Chalukyas]], [[Rashtrakutas]], [[Yadavas of Devagiri|Yadavas]], [[Bahamani]]s, [[Nizams]], [[Mughals]] and [[Marathas]]. [[Chatrapati Shivaji]] Maharaj captured it in 1648 AD, but he was forced to surrender it to the [[Mughals]] in 1665 AD by the [[Treaty of Purandar (1665)|Treaty of Purandar]]. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj recaptured the fort in 1670 AD and used it for keeping his treasury. This fort was used to keep the winnings from Surat. Later in Peshwa time [[Nana Phadnavis]] used this fort for living for some time and built several structures in the fort such as a big tank and a step-well. <br />
<br />
=== Jain Inscription ===<br />
The lohagad fort has caves on its south side facing Lohgadwadi. In September 2019 an inscription in [[Jainism|Jain]] [[Brahmi script|Brahmi]] script in [[Prakrit]] language dating back to the 2nd or 1st century BC was discovered by team of trekkers from Pune in the cave on the cliff. The inscription was studied by Dr. Shreekant Pradhan, an ancient Indian paintings scholar working at Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/jain-inscription-discovered-on-wall-of-rock-cut-cave-at-lohgad-fort/articleshow/71470386.cms|title=Jain inscription discovered on wall of rock-cut cave at Lohgad fort &#124; Pune News - Times of India}}</ref> <br />
<br />
The inscription was found on the outside wall of a rock-cut cave on the eastern side cliff of the Lohgad fort, close to Lohgadwadi village. The inscription is written in the Brahmi script and the language is Prakrit influenced Sanskrit. <br />
<br />
The inscription is similar to, but more descriptive than, an inscription discovered at Pale caves (Maval) by Mr. R.L.Bhide and studied by archaeologists HD Sankalia and Shobhana Gokhale in 1969. It starts with ‘[[Namokar Mantra|Namo Arihantanam]]’ which is commonly used by Jains in [[Namokar Mantra|Navakar Mantra]], pointing to the fact that the Lohgad cave is a Jain rock-cut cave. The inscription at Pale caves also begins in a similar manner and based on Sankalia and Gokhale’s study, it was assumed to be a [[Jainism|Jain]] inscription. <br />
<br />
The inscription mentions the name "Ida Rakhita", meaning Indra Rakshita, who donated water cisterns, rock-cut benches to settlements in the area. The inscription at Pale also mentions the same name. The newly discovered inscription is 50c m-wide and 40cm-long and is written in six lines.The Lohagad Jain cave is near the fort.<br />
<br />
The fort has been declared as a protected monument by the government.<ref>{{cite web|title=List of the protected monuments of Mumbai Circle district-wise|url=http://www.asimumbaicircle.com/images/list-of-protected-monuments-n-forts.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606093840/http://www.asimumbaicircle.com/images/list-of-protected-monuments-n-forts.pdf|url-status=usurped|archive-date=6 June 2013}}</ref><br />
<br />
==Geography and Climate==<br />
Lohagad is part of the Western Ghats. It rises to an elevation of {{convert|1033|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level, and is located to the southwest of the larger Visapur fort. The range divides the basins of the [[Indrayani River|Indrayani]] river and [[Pavana River|Pavana]] lake. Lohagad overlooks the Pavana reservoir, located to the south of the mountain. The hill extends to the northwest to a fortified spur, called ''Vinchukada'' (Scorpion's tail) because of its resembling shape. The four large gates of Lohagad are still in good condition and reasonably intact. <br />
<br />
During the monsoon, the top of the fort is covered with mist and clouds and becomes particularly wet with growing moss. The roads and trails leading to the hill are quite slippery at this time of the year and precautions are necessary to be taken while venturing the routes.<br />
<br />
==Accessibility==<br />
Lohagad fort can be accessed by various modes of travel. The nearest airport is the [[Pune International Airport]]. The proposed [[Navi Mumbai International Airport]] will serve as the nearest airport in the coming future.<br />
<br />
The nearest train station is [[Malavli]], which can be accessed by [[Pune Suburban Railway|suburban trains]] between [[Lonavala]] and Pune. The nearest major train station is [[Lonavala]], on the [[Mumbai]]-[[Pune]] railway line. Lohagad is connected by the [[National Highway 4 (India, old numbering)|Mumbai-Pune Highway]] and can also be accessed from [[Paud]] via Kolvan and Dudhiware Khind for all vehicles.<br />
<br />
People can also hike all the way to the fort. [[Bhaja Caves]] is on the way to Lohagad if a small diversion is taken. This walk is a particular favorite of trekkers, especially in the monsoon season. It is a simple, very scenic and pleasant trek and the distance from Malavli and Lohagad can be covered in around two hours. A tar road exists all the way to the top from Malavli station and one can hire a tempo or cab to the top. The best season to visit the fort is in the monsoons.<br />
<br />
A variety of birds and insects can also be spotted in these hills.<br />
<br />
==Nearby attractions==<br />
*[[Bhaja Caves]] - {{convert|2|km|abbr=on}} from Malavli, once home to [[Buddhist]] monks.<br />
*[[Karla Caves]]<br />
*Lohagad Jain cave<br />
*Lonavala - {{convert|20|km|abbr=on}}, a famous and scenic hill station.<br />
*[[Aamby Valley City]] - {{convert|22|km|abbr=on}} from Lonavala.<br />
*[[Visapur Fort]]<br />
<br />
==Gallery==<br />
[[File:Ganesh Darwaja.jpg|thumb|Ganesh Darwaja]]<gallery mode="packed" heights="150"><br />
File:Lohagad 1.JPG|<br />
File:Lohagad 01.jpg|<br />
File:Lohagad-2.JPG|Wall fortification of lohgad<br />
Image:Lohagad wall.jpg|Lohagad fort walls<br />
</gallery><br />
==See also==<br />
*[[List of forts in Maharashtra]]<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
<references /><br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
{{commons category}}<br />
* [http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/treasures/fort/lohgad-visapur Lohagad at MTDC site ]<br />
<br />
{{Forts in Maharashtra}}<br />
{{Forts in India}}<br />
{{MarathaEmpire}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Buildings and structures of the Maratha Empire]]<br />
[[Category:Lonavala-Khandala]]<br />
[[Category:Forts in Pune district]]<br />
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Lonavala-Khandala]]</div>Bot