Makrandgad

Maharashtra, India

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Makrandgad Fort is a hill fort located in the Satara district of Maharashtra, about 156 km from Pune and near Mahabaleshwar. It was constructed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1656 around the same time as the nearby Pratapgad Fort.

The fort consists of two flattened humps, Madhu and Makrandgad, separated by a ridge, situated amidst the dense Javli forest. Though it did not control major trade routes, it served as a strategic link between Pratapgad and Vasota forts.

The fort features remnants of buildings, water tanks, and temples, including the Mallikarjun and Bhairoba temples near the top, which offers panoramic views of nearby forts and the surrounding landscape. The trek to Makrandgad is relatively easy, passing through forested terrain and takes about two hours, but there is no potable water on the fort itself, so visitors must carry sufficient supplies. The fort stands as a calm historical reminder of the Maratha Empire's strategic military landscape.