Pune is the cultural capital of Maharashtra, because of the city’s rich and magnificent history. The Sahyadri mountains of Western Ghats, have played a vital role in stamping the cultural evolution of Pune since the last 2000 years.

 

The golden era of Pune and the rest of Maharashtra, began during Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Swarajya conquest of 1700s, when he established his Maratha empire from the mountain forts of the Sahyadri range. Since then on, Pune became the centre of all revolutionary activities till the Indian Independence Movement of 1947. Sahyadri ranges were the hub of modern civilisation during this period. The nearest forts of Pune which are Sinhagad, Rajgad, and Torna are located in the south west overlooking the mighty Western Ghats that enter into Konkan region. Chhatrapati Shivaji’s aptly made Rajgad the 1st capital of the Maratha empire, owing to its central and strategic location. Witnessing many mountain based guerrilla battles, these 3 forts are still standing tall despite going through heavy destruction, and are unlike any other forts in the rest of the country.

 

These 3 forts are a pivotal site of study for historians, authors, poets, writers who want to ink the history of and geography of the region. One will occasionally find the local trekking community with a camera, hunting for that perfect photograph in these mountains. Adventure seekers of Pune take immense pride in hiking and climbing up these forts and relive the glorious history of these forts in their remnants.