THE FORTS OF INDIA Built by titans and lit by the glory of fire, blood and love- the grandest sights in India. The Forts of India, stand as befitting 'monuments' to the pride, courage and chivalry of the rulers and people of India who relentlessly strove against invading armies to preserve their freedom and to keep alive their fait and their culture. SIMHAGAD Formerly known as Kondhana, the earliest mention of this Fort is to be found in Isamis Futuh-us-Salatin, when the Fort was taken over by Mohammad-bin-Tughluq from the Kolis. The Fort was again captured by Malik Ahmed Nizam, the founder of Nizamshahi dynasty of Ahmadnagar in 1483 AD. The Fort was given in Jagir to Shivaji's father Sahaji Bhosle by the Nizamshah of Ahmadnagar.

The Fort had to be handed over to the Bijapur Sultan, from whom Shivaji captured the Fort by force, and it remained in his possession for a long time with the exception of a short period. In the beginning of 1670 AD Shivaji's Infantry General Tanaji Malusare captured the Fort from the Mughals, but lost his life in the action. From this incident springs the story that Shivaji renamed the Fort as Simhagad after Tanaji. From Shivaji the Fort further changed hands, to Aurangzeb, to Marathas, to Mughals, to the Peshwas and finally to the British. Shaped like an axe with a short handle, the Fort occupies on area of about two-square miles.

The top is very rugged and surrounded by strong fortification on all sides, and is flanked by 33 towers or bastions. Only those parts of the hill which are naturally protected by steep precipices are left without walls and it is the western part of these natural fortifications that Tanaji Malusare is said to have scaled in his invasion of the Fort, The Fort is situated about 15 miles to the south west of Pune, 4322 feet above the sea level and 2300 feet about Pune plains.

The Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department is happy to issue a set of four stamps on the Forts of India.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India