PRATAPGARH & RAIGARH FORT                                                                      

                   Further afield are two impressive hill forts associated with Shivaji.

                       Built in 1656, Pratapgarh Fort dominates a high ridge 24km west of Mahabaleshwar and has spectacular views.  It is connected with one of the more notable feats in Shivaji's dramatic life (see the Pratapgaarh Protagonists boxed section for more details).  Regular buses from Mahabaleshwar take about an hour to the Fort, which is reached by a 500 step climb.

                        Seldom visited by travellers, Raigad (or Raigarh) Fort, 80km north-west of Mahabaleshwar, also has wonderful views from its isolated hilltop location, reached by a long, steep ascent.  It was here that Shivaji was crowned in 1648 and where he died in 1680.

                       The MTDC operates some basic accommodation here including two large crash-on-the-floor dorms (Rs 20), and six four- bed rooms (Rs 200); book through the MTDC in Mumbai or Pune.