'Fort JADHAVGADH' (Built in 1710 by Pillaji Jadhavrao) is the first in a series of Heritage forts scheduled in Maharashtra and the Rest of India. Situated in the beautiful rolling hills located 22 km away from Pune on the old Pune – Satara Road at a height of 2511 ft above sea level Fort Jadhavgadh lies in the heart of the Jadhavwadi – a 25 acre land. The Fort a fine example of Maratha craftsmanship was built by Pillaji Jadhavrao. A man who himself was as strong in mind and body as the stone structure he envisioned to create. The man named Pilaji Jadhavrao - Maratha General in the army of Chatrapati Shahuji, proved his mettle each and every time someone dared to challenge the supremacy of the Maratha ruler.

Pilaji Jadhavrao... the creator of Fort JadhavGadh
The story of Fort Jadhavgadh has to start from a man who himself was as strong in mind and body as the stone structure he envisioned to create. The man named Pilaji Jadhavrao who not only rose to fame as the Maratha general in the army of Chhatrapati Shahuji, but also proved his mettle each and every time someone dared to challenge the supremacy of the Maratha ruler.
In 1707, Chhatrapati Shahuji, the grandson of the great Chhatrapati Shivaji, was released after 21 years of imprisonment by the Mughal ruler Shahjahan.
These were troubled times in Maratha region.
The Mughals still held on to the control of area but were soon loosing grounds after the death of Aurangzeb. Queen Tarabai, the widow of Rajaram, Shivaji’s second son was also finding it difficult to proclaim her rise to the throne as the Mughals had made it clear that Shahuji was the true Maratha leader. More...

Fort Jadhavgadh was made in the year 1710 as a place of residence as well as a safe haven when being attacked by enemies. Although not as magnanimous as other Maratha era Forts like Sinhgadh, Jadhavgadh had quite a few architectural similarities and a fine example of maratha craftsmanship.
Built on a quaint hill top all that was visible of the fort, and still is, were the gigantic walls of brown black stones. The steps going up the main entrance were huge stone blocks making it easier for the animals like horses and elephants going up the fort. But the step way itself was curved. A sharp left turn after the initial climb and then again a steep climb with a left turn after entering through the main spiked doorway. This was essentially done to make the task of a probable enemy and his troops all the more cumbersome if they had to force entry through the main door, inadvertently giving precious time for those inside for last minute preparations. More...