Overview:
| Type: | Land Fort |
| Location: | Akluj fort is situated on the banks of the Nira River in Akluj town. |
| District: | Solapur |
Akluj Fort is a fort located 115 km from Solapur, in Solapur district, of Maharashtra. This fort is an important fort in Solapur district. The fort restoration is done by the Shree Dinkarrao Thopte and Avinash Thopte with the help of local people. The fort is now also called Shivshrushti. The Mohit Patil family has made special efforts for the restoration of the fort and the Shivsrushti.
The Main Darwaza to enter the fort and the fortification is artificially created. It has got mannequins of soldiers around it. There is also a historic bastion located in the middle of the fort.
History:
The history is mentioned under the Akluj Town. Sambhaji Maharaj along with 26 others was captured by Mukarrab Khan from Sangameshwar and brought to this fort.
Places to Visit on Fort:
Buy a ticket and enter the fort where you will be welcomed by Elephants and Horse mounted soldiers made of hard synthetic fiber. There are also statues of many musical instruments here. Walking to the left of the fort wall, we come across murals depicting the life of Shivaji Maharaj. The first three murals are related to Shivaji Maharaj’s birth. Next there is a replica of the mansion which was the birth place on Shivneri fort. The naming ceremony has been depicted here. Other events are also explained as we move ahead. To the end the crowning ceremony has been displayed in a beautiful manner.
The bastion named Upalya which is in the middle of the fort has a statue of Shivaji Maharaj on it. This bastion must have been used for monitoring purpose. The surrounding area of the fort can be viewed from here.
Murals of the Maratha soldiers belonging to various sects and religion are erected on the fort wall. They include Tofchi, Mashaalji, Tirandaaj, Paharekari, Ramoshi etc. proceed ahead along the fort wall towards the entrance where there is a museum. Here an elephant and his rider have been erected in a statue. In this museum many fort models have been made out of synthetic fiber, they are Rajgad, Raigad, Vijaydurg, Sidhudurg, Pratapgad, Devgiri forts.
The fort is maintained in a good condition with plenty of greenery, flowers and fountains. Outside the fort when we move on the path alongside the river bank and the bastion we come across Veerghals and other ancient remains.
How to reach:
Akluj town in Solapur district is well connected with major cities by road.
Pune to Akluj is 166 kms.
There is a diversion for Akluj at Indapur which is on the Pune – Solapur highway.
Akluj is 35 kms from Solapur on Solapur – Pandharpur highway.
Related Video (Akluj Fort):
Best time to visit:
Entrance to the fort is paid. The ticket prices are Rs.20/- for adults and Rs.15/- for children below 12 years. Fort visit timings are 10 am to 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm. There is a light and sound show inside the fort in the evening hours but for that a minimum of 25 audience count is necessary.
