ModeratePratapgad Fort
Western Ghats, Maharashtra
4-5 hrs · best in monsoon
Sunrise TrekHistoric Battle Site
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Western Ghats, MaharashtraEasy
Sinhagad Fort
Fortress near Pune, recaptured in 1670 in the battle where Tanaji Malusare gave his life.
- Fort type
- Hill fort
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 3-4 hrs
- Best season
- Monsoon
- Altitude
- 1,312 m
See also: Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (Movies); Battle of Sinhagad (Contains); Tanaji Malusare (Combatant); Shivaji and His Times (Books); Raja Shivchhatrapati (Books).
Overview
Sinhagad is the fort Pune climbs on weekends, and it is also the site of one of the most retold episodes in Maratha history. Long known as Kondhana, the hill has been fortified for centuries — the Kaundinyeshwar temple on it points to occupation well before the Maratha period — and its position on a spur of the Bhuleshwar range made it the key to the country around Pune.
Shivaji Maharaj held it, ceded it under the Treaty of Purandar in 1665, and set out to take it back. In 1670 Tanaji Malusare led a night assault up the steep Donagiri face, scaling the rock to reach walls where no attack was expected. The fort was taken and Tanaji was killed in the fighting. The words attributed to Shivaji Maharaj on hearing the news, that the fort had come but the lion had gone, gave the hill the name it carries today.
Its later history is quieter but not empty: Chhatrapati Rajaram died here in 1700, and his memorial stands on the fort. A motorable road now runs most of the way up, which is why Sinhagad draws such crowds, and the stalls along the top selling pithla-bhakri, kanda bhaji and thick curd have become as much a part of the visit as the ramparts.
How to reach
Nearest city: Pune · 30 km. Distances are approximate.
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30 km
From Pune
Via Khadakwasla and Donje; city buses run to the base and the road continues near the top
~1 hr drive
180 km
From Mumbai
Mumbai-Pune Expressway, then around Pune towards Khadakwasla
~4 hr drive
0.5 km
Parking near the summit
Paid parking near the top; the last stretch to the gates is on foot
~10 min walk
Things to see inside the fort
An editor’s walk-through of the fort’s notable structures, in the order you’ll meet them.
Tanaji
Tanaji Malusare Memorial
The memorial to the commander who led the 1670 night assault and died taking the fort. The focal point of most visits.
15 min from entrance
Kalyan
Kalyan Darwaza
The western gateway, set into the rampart with the staggered approach typical of Maratha forts, denying attackers a straight run at the doors.
20 min from entrance
Pune
Pune Darwaza
The north-eastern gate complex facing Pune, with successive doorways and guard positions built into the climb.
25 min from entrance
Samadhi
Samadhi of Chhatrapati Rajaram
The memorial to Shivaji Maharaj's younger son, who died at Sinhagad in 1700 during the long war with the Mughals.
30 min from entrance
Dev
Dev Take
A rock-cut cistern whose water was long held to be the sweetest on the fort, and which still holds water for much of the year.
25 min from entrance
Kaundinyeshwar
Kaundinyeshwar Temple
An old Shiva shrine that gives the hill its earlier name of Kondhana and points to occupation long before the Maratha period.
35 min from entrance
Donagiri
Donagiri face
The steep face Tanaji Malusare's party scaled at night, chosen precisely because no one thought an attack could come from there.
40 min from entrance
Zunjar
Zunjar Buruj
A bastion on the southern rampart with a wide view over the valley and, on clear days, neighbouring forts.
45 min from entrance
Trekking guide
Practical trail facts to plan a safe climb.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Trail length
- 3 km on foot from Atkarwadi
- Elevation gain
- 600 m
- Time up / down
- 1.5h / 1h
Safety advisories
- The walking trail is rocky and becomes genuinely slippery in monsoon; footwear matters more here than fitness.
- Weekend crowds and traffic on the access road are heavy; go early if you are driving up.
- Keep back from unfenced sections of the rampart, especially in mist when the drop is not visible.
- Carry water even though there are stalls at the top; there is nothing reliable on the way up.
What to carry
1-2 L waterTrail shoesRain layerSun capSnacksCash for the stalls
Nearby places & attractions
Editor-picked stops worth pairing with your visit.
Lake
Lake
Khadakwasla Dam
15 km away
Fort
Fort
Rajgad Fort
30 km away
Fort
Fort
Torna Fort
38 km away
Lake
Lake
Panshet Dam
25 km away
Landmark
Landmark
Khadakwasla
18 km away
Best time to visit
Monsoon
Monsoon is when Sinhagad is at its best and its busiest, with mist rolling over the ramparts and the whole spur turning green. Expect crowds on weekends and a slippery trail. Winter mornings are cool, clear and far quieter. Summer is climbable but hot, so start before sunrise.
Practical visitor info
Common questions, answered plainly.
Can I drive all the way to the top?
Almost. A motorable road runs to a parking area near the summit, leaving a walk of about ten minutes to the gates. This is why Sinhagad is so popular, and why weekends are congested.
Is it good for a first-time trekker?
Yes, it is one of the best introductions to Sahyadri fort trekking. The walking route from Atkarwadi is about 3 km and takes around 90 minutes at a steady pace, on a clear and well-used trail.
What should I eat at the top?
The stalls along the fort are known for pithla-bhakri, kanda bhaji and thick curd, usually served fresh. Carry cash, as card payment is unreliable up there.
How crowded does it get?
Very, on monsoon weekends. If you want the fort quiet, come on a weekday or start at first light; the difference is dramatic.
What is the story of Tanaji Malusare?
In 1670 he led a night assault up the steep Donagiri face to retake the fort, which had been ceded to the Mughals under the 1665 Treaty of Purandar. The fort was won and Tanaji was killed. Shivaji Maharaj's response, that the fort had come but the lion had gone, gave Sinhagad its name.
Related Warriors
Related Battles
Related Books
Confidence of linksEstablishedProbable
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