KOLHAPUR: Fort Vishalgad, which comes under state archaeology department, is set to get some breathing space.
The fort has several encroachments on it and the department has issued notices to them to clear out immediately.
The fort has its historical significance.
It was witness to Shivaji Maharaj’s great escape from Panhala fort via battleground of Pawankhind.
Vilas Vahane, assistant director of the department, “The fort is a protected monument.
Our no objection certificate is a must while carrying out any activities on the fort.
Fifty dwellers have their own 7/12 on the fort.
But due to commercialization, these villagers have expanded their constructions illegally.” Vahane said that they had found “15 dwellers violating the archaeological norms and have been issued notices to remove the permanent structures within fifteen days.
If not, we will meet the district collector and insist in joint action of the forest, revenue and archaeological departments.
If this doesn’t work, we will go to court to bring down the illegal constructions.” He added that the fort had undergone conservation and repair works two years back and many structures were beautified to bring back the fort’s glory.
The committee formed for Vishalgad conservation and anti-encroachment claims that there are more than 100 illegal encroachments.
Sunil Ghanvat, head of the committee, said, “Under the Right to Information, we have found out that there are more than hundred illegal establishments on the fort since 1998.
There are around 30 historical structures over the fort.
Several encroachments have been done on the road leading to Ranmandal hill, Kuwarbaon, Dargah, and Bajiprabhu Samadhi.” The fort is etched in history for the brave battle between Maratha sardar Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Siddi Masud of Bijapur Sultanate, while Shivaji Maharaj was escaping from Panhala fort to safely reach Vishalgad fort.
Shivaji Maharaj gave the fort its name ‘Vishalgad’ after conquering it in 1659.
The fort covers an area of 1,130mtrs and is located at a height of 3,500 feet above sea level.