Being a historical landmark, the Pratapgarh Fort, the pride of the Maratha Empire, welcomes everyone who wants to learn more about the fort’s past. The Pratapgarh Fort was constructed in 1656 by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a Maratha king, to protect the Par Pass. It is situated in Satara district and rises 3500 feet above the earth.
Three years later, Shivaji and Afzal Khan, the General of Bilaspur, got into a heated argument here. At that point in the conflict, Shivaji was declared the victor. However, the Marathas were forced to cede it to the English East India Company in 1818 after losing the third Anglo-Maratha war.
In honour of Afzal Khan, the Afzal Tower was subsequently built outside the fort to monitor the adversaries. Afzal Buruj was the new name given to the skyscraper.
The Pratapgarh is divided into two sections: the lower part is 320 meters long and 110 meters wide, while the upper part is square in shape and 180 meters long from each side. The Pratapgarh Fort is home to the Mahadev and Bhavani Temples, as well as a watchtower at its main entrance. Additionally, there is a 17-foot-tall statue of Shivaji Maharaj in all of his splendour, which was unveiled by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on November 30, 1957.
The Pratapgarh Fort in Mahabaleshwar is free to enter. It is open to visitors every day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and three to four hours is the suggested amount of time to explore.
While a trip to Pratapgarh Fort can be planned at any time of year, the greatest time to experience its splendour is during the monsoon season, which runs from July to September. This architectural wonder is currently looking stunning, and when it rains, its total attractiveness is enhanced, providing you with the opportunity to take some lifelong memories.