The Great Indian Maratha Worrier Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja

Swami Vivekananda portrayed  Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja as : "Shivaji was the greatest Hindu king that India had produced within the last thousand years; one who was the very personification of God Siva, about whom forecast were given out long before his birth; and his arrival was eagerly expected by all the great saints and souls of Maharashtra.

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja was the founder of the ambitious Maratha Kingdom, way back in the 16th century. A gem of an individual he was – brave character, intelligent strategies for capturing enemy territories, excellent foresight and struggle to provide justice in his kingdom.

History of forts of Maharashtra is history of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja and history of his battle for God, religion, justice & freedom of Maharashtra. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja was true king of fort. On his whole life he was ruled on more than 375 forts. Many of them were built-up by him. He builds and maintains all types of forts across the mighty ranges of Sahyadris e.g. Ocean Forts, Castles, Mountain Forts. These forts are the symbol of flawless architectural skills. These forts stood through the tests of time, and they stand tall and strong till today. Most of them were built using a weird combination of rocks, jiggery, lead and limestone.

Forts of Maharashtra were backbone of his victorious campaign. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja was excellent general co-coordinator, administrator, leader but one most important thing he had that he was master in choosing and using places for battlefield. Forts build by him like Pratapgad, Sindhudurg are the best example of his architectural skills. Every fort of Maharashtra has too many memories of his successful and famous battles. Age of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja was golden age of history of forts in Maharashtra.