Maharaj made full use of land and sea for transportation as well as wars and defense of Swarajya. He built many roads for war and general transportation. Roadways (जमिनीवरील रस्ते): Maharaj created and constructed roads suitable for carrying animals like bullocks, horses, elephants, camels, donkeys, bullock carts and palanquins from the banks (कडेकपा-यांमधून) of the…
Continue reading from Part X Some Types of Vargas: If a hero dies defending his Godhan (गाय), it is called Govardhangal. In such veergals, the hero is usually shown with his godhan in the bottom frame. If a hero dies while killing a tiger, it is called Vaghragal. In such veergals, the hero is usually…
Continue reading from Part IX Samadhi (समाधी): Canopies erected on forts, at the base of forts, in villages to commemorate knights and royals. Veergal (वीरगळ): Veergal means a pillar erected in memory of a hero, knights. A stone carved on a stone slab based on specific sculptures in memory of a soldier who died in…
Continue reading from Part VIII Temples (मंदिरे): A place required for daily puja. We find temples of various gods and goddesses at every fort. Andhaarkothadya (अंधारकोठड्या): A place where criminals are kept in prison as punishment. Paga (पागा): Accommodation and facilities for horses and animals. Camel Farm (उष्ट्रखाना / उंटशाळा): Facility for tying camels. Pilkhana…
Continue reading from Part VII Granaries / Ambarkhana (धान्य कोठारे / अंबरखाना): A place to store grain. These warehouses were built in such a way that there would be no nuisance from mice, insects, ants and rain. A building built for storing grain was called Ambarkhana. Ammunition Stores (दारू कोठारे): A place for storing ammunition…
Continue reading from Part VI Military Camp (शिबंदीची घरटी): This is a place where all officers, generals, and other troops are accommodated in the fort. Tanks / Ponds (टाके / तलाव): Water is a vital necessity and for that every fort was adequately provided with tanks, ponds, wells etc. Pushkarni Lake (पुष्करणी तलाव): Pushkarni Lake…
Continue reading from Part V Cannon (तोफ): A combatant integral element of fort defense. Maharaj had his own artillery. Every fort had cannons. Also, about two hundred cannons were mounted on the carriage to drive it. Carts pulled by bullocks. Carpenters, blacksmiths, cobbler, ropers, talafadars (तलफदार), cannon handlers (गोलंदाज) etc. were accompanied. Every cannon was…
Continue reading from Part IV Met (मेट): Met is the houses or settlements on the way while climbing the fort. The job of these metkars is to keep an eye on the people coming and going to the fort. Therefore, this met is very useful in terms of the security of the fort. Nehde (नेढे):…
Continue reading from Part III Nagarkhana (नगारखाना): A place where nagaras, trumpets and other musical instruments are played on special occasions or to give instructions or warnings. Durbar (दरबार): A place for special festivals, ceremonies, decisions, meetings, discussions, coronations etc. in connection with the procession of the king. Cave (गुहा): They are used for protection…
Continue reading from Part II Grand Gate (महादरवाजा): The main gate of the fort. Chhatrapati probably built the Mahadarwaja as Gomukhi. That means the door is not visible till the very end between the two towers. The door was guarded by guards. Dindi Darwaja (दिंडी दरवाजा): A small door adjacent to the main door used…
