Prabalgad

Prabalgad Fort, also known as Muranjan, Pradhangad or Prabalmachi is situated in Maharashtra’s Raigad District between Matheran and Panvel. The fort is set at a height of about 2,300 feet above sea level. Its sister fort is Irshalgad. The steep Kalavantin Durg Fort is located right next to Prabalgad, to its north.

Prabalgad was built by the Bahmani Sultanate to keep a watch on Panvel Fort and Kalyan Fort located in North Konkan. Malik Ahmad, the prime minister of the Ahmednagar kingdom took over Prabalgad sometime around 1458 A.D. during his conquest of Konkan. After the collapse of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, Chhatrapati Shahaji Maharaj moved to Prabalgad with his wife Rajmata Jijabai and son Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for a brief period of time. However, after the defeat of Chhatrapati Shahaji Maharaj and the agreement of Mahuli, North Konkan including Prabalgad was surrendered to the Mughals, who granted the ruling authority of the area to Adil Shah of Bijapur. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj conquered Prabalgad from the Mughals in 1657 A.D.

The base village of Prabalgad is Thakurwadi. Prabalgad is easy visible from the Mumbai-Pune expressway. The Ulhas River flows to the east of the fort, the Gadhi River flows to its west, while the Patalganga River flows to its south. Chanderi Fort and Peb Fort are located to the east of Prabalgad, while Karnala Fort is located to its north.