Prabal Fort - tourmet

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Sight Address : Matheran Hill Station, Raigad, India Edit

Detail InformationEdit

Prabal Fort presently in ruins is located at the flat top of the hill named Prabhal hills in the western side of Matheran. The fort, which is of historical importance, was captured by Chathrapathi Shivaji from Mughals and it is believed that the forts enclosed price worthy treasure at the time of capture. On top of Prabal hills, there is a pond. There were two gateways and eleven towers in the fortifications and in 1818 the gateways were destroyed in the uncongenial fights. Presently walls of three or four towers are remaining as a specimen of grand old days of Maratha rulers.

Prabal Fort

HistoryEdit

Prabal Fort on the flat-topped hill of the same name, about eight miles east of Panvel and four west of Matheran, stands about 2,325 feet above sea level. It is believed that Shivaji found substantial treasure on the fort when he captured the fort from the Moghals. The ruined fortifications once included eleven towers and two gateways. In 1818 the gates had long been destroyed, and the works were everywhere falling, the walls of three or four buildings being all that remained. During the rainy months much of the hill was under tillage, the people and their cattle living in the ruins. On the top of the hill was a large pond. In 1828, a band of Ramosis, who at that time infested the country round Purandhar hill in Poona, came into the Konkan, 300 strong with tents and horses. They met at Prabal, and distributed the following proclamations along with bundles of straw and pieces of charcoal and fuel- ‘Know all men that we Rajesri Umaji Naik and Bhurjaji Naik from our camp at the fort of Purandhar, do hereby give notice, in the year Sursann Surna Ashrin Mayavatain Va alaf 1827, to all Patils, Mahars and others of the villages within the jurisdiction of Ratnagiri in the Southern Konkan and Salsette in the Northern Konkan, that they are not to pay any portion of the revenues arising from their villages to the British Government, and that any instance of disobedience to this mandate shall be punished by fire and sword. All revenues are to be paid to us. This proclamation is sent to you that you may make and keep by you a copy of the same, according to which you are desired to act without any demurring, on pain of having your village razed to the ground. Given under our hand this 25th December 1827.’ In 1862, the fort was reported to be well designed but in ruins. The water-supply was good, but the pond was out of repair and nearly useless. Food supplies were not procurable within eleven miles. In 1881, the hill top which was surrounded by a ruined wall had three ten-feet square cisterns, two on the east and one on the west of the fortifications six stone and mortar towers remained with room for five men in each.

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Best Season to VisitEdit

October to March

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Morning, Afternoon, Evening.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

1-2 Hours.

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How to ReachEdit

Taxi : Taxis are another way to get around town. They can be hired from nearby cities and used for local transport as well. Taxis charge around Rs 1500 per day. A/C taxis and SUV’s such as Toyota Qualis are also available.

BUS : State transport offer bus regular and frequent services from Mumbai and Pune to Raigad. Raigad is well connected to all neighboring cities by the public transport buses, including Kolhapur (250 km), Pune (102 km), Mumbai (187 km) and Mahabaleshwar (75 km). Public bus charge is less than Rs 4 per km.

Train : Vir Dasgaon railway station is the nearest railhead to Raigad. This station is connected to Mumbai and Pune with regular trains. Taxi services are available from Vir Dasgaon to Raigad.

Air : Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji International airport, which is 187 km away from Raigad, is the nearest airport. All the major airlines have service from Mumbai to all major cities in India and many cities abroad including Singapore, Hong Kong, Colombo and gulf countries. Taxis are available from Mumbai to Raigad and costs about Rs 3,000.

Others : Auto Rickshaw : Autos are available extensively and these are a good option. They are quick and cheaper than taxis. Prices have to be negotiated as they may not be metered and there are no night fares.