The Concept

We all know about the Taj Mahal, the Palaces of Jaipur, the beaches of Goa and the Himalayas in India, but very few know about the hidden wonders. Around 400 years old, these architectural marvels still exist, hidden in the embracing folds of the Sahyadri Hill range in the Indian Sub-continent, providing journeys that would otherwise escape the notice of the adventure seeker coming to India.

These hidden wonders, in the lap of the Sahyadri Hills (The Western Ghats) in the State of Maharashtra, India, are strong, impregnable and indomitable Forts built by Indian Kings during the Mughal invasion in India.

According to historians, geography constitutes the permanent basis of the history of a region. The historical evolution of Western Deccan i.e. today's Maharashtra, and its people more than amply bear out this truth. The geopolitical importance of such mountain ranges and their rugged environment was immense. Had these gargantuan mountains not existed in Maharashtra the invaders from the north would have expanded their empire throughout the Indian peninsula.

One of our greatest fort architects, Shivaji understood the significance of this natural defence system, of Maharashtra. He strengthened the defence system by building several forts and improvising and strengthening the existing ones.

The Sahyadris - Natural Defence

First, they nourished a resolute, courageous, enduring, daring and audacious spirit among their inhabitants.

Secondly, they offered strongholds and resistance, well surrounded by forests where the dwellers could seek cover whenever pressed by the enemy. In the earlier times, just a couple of centuries ago, the scene around these hills was far different. It was either a barren wilderness or there grew a thick belt of undergrowth infested by wild beasts. Today where the roads and railways run, no means of passage existed earlier, except steep pathways, mostly for footmen and pack animals, little known to outsiders. This offered a tactical advantage to the natives used to elusive warfare, and a logistical nightmare to the invading aliens.

Thirdly, and perhaps the most important, these mountain ranges lay between fertile countries. A terrain like that must have proved to be excellent campaigning grounds, perhaps even more important in warfare than weapon power.
The word 'Fort' originated from the French word ‘Fortis’, which means strength, and in that sense, the Sahyadris were fortified quite strongly by nature. Even in Indian languages they aptly deserve the name ‘Durg’, which originates from the Sanskrit word 'Durgamam' meaning inaccessible.

There are around 200 to 250 forts in the Sahyadris range. Many forts are still of difficult access, perched on top of precipitous hills even 2,000 feet above the surrounding country. Yet, have not lost the forbidding aspect of military strongholds, still apparently impregnable.

These fascinating remains still provide evidence, of not only man's expression of power, or the privilege of his ruler but also their constant sense of threat, their helplessness and the inborn need to protect themselves as well as to maintain their freedom.

Even if the exact nature and character of these monuments is not known, the ruins occasionally are so imposing that they give an unmistakable notion of the grandeur and the majesty that these places must have known. For instance, the fort gateways seem to have suffered the maximum damage from all possible causes, such as sieges, re-fortification, neglect, weathering, vandalism and what not! In spite of that, stripped of their decorations of gold, silver and precious stones, few of them still provide ample evidence of their past glory. The ruins do not merely reflect memories of the past; the decaying fortifications also enhance the picturesque presence of the rugged hills.

Grant Duff, the English historian of the Marathas wrote, 'There is probably no stronger country in the world than the Deccan from the military defense point of view'. The Sahyadri mountain ranges offered immense political advantage and truly served as the cradle of great virtues and liberty.

In these forts are captured the cries of Hindavi Swaraj, the quiet whispers of agile guerillas, the preachings of Bhakti, the birth of a great military and cultural revolution. They stand testimony to the greatness of one of the most magnanimous personality – Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj. These wonders are an inspiration to the youngsters who would like to do great deeds for the benefit of their nation an inspiration to the youth of today to follow the footsteps of Shivaji.

These wonders have in them so much of history that it is humanely impossible for any individual to single handedly chronicle it. The efforts of various scholars in the different aspects is what keeps this history alive. These forts have been and will continue to be a source of wonderment to historians, architectures, scientists, geologists, strategists, artists – in short to people from all walks of life – such is their greatness.