Vairatgad Fort

Malusurewadi, Maharashtra, India

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Vairatgad Fort, located near the village of Malusurewadi in the Satara district of Maharashtra, was built in the 11th century by King Bhoj of the Shilahara dynasty.

It is perched on a rugged hill about 3,400 feet above sea level, overlooking the Wai region. The fort played a military role during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who included it in his kingdom after conquering the Wai area. Its compact summit has remnants of old buildings, cisterns, a small cave, and a Hanuman temple with an idol outside.

The fort has a dilapidated bastion at the entrance and several water tanks located below the cliff. It served as a military station primarily for defense and control over the surrounding trade routes. After Shivaji's time, the fort was under Mughal control before being captured by the British in 1818. The trek to Vairatgad takes about one to one and a half hours, passing through scenic surroundings and offering views of neighboring forts like Pandavgad.

Due to its historical significance and relative ease of access from the town of Wai, it remains popular with trekkers and history enthusiasts.