Raigad: Constructing Power through Monumentality

By Samira Shinde, FYBA

Archaeological monuments in India reflect layers of history, and forts are no exception. Over time, these structures are often reduced to silent remnants, obscuring their dynamic roles as instruments of historical change. What is frequently overlooked is that these sites represent collective memories of communities, embodying the courage and actions of those who shaped their social and political landscapes. A fort is not just a structure; it is a record of the vision of its builders and the socio-political context of its time.

Raigad Fort significance is deeper than its role as a historical relic. Built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century, it was the capital of the Maratha Empire and a symbol of self-rule (‘Swarajya’), emphasizing autonomy and resilience. Its importance extends beyond its role as a military stronghold; it was a well-conceived administrative center and a self-sustaining township.

Situated 2,700 feet above sea level in the Sahyadri range, Raigad’s location was itself a great strategic advantage. Its natural location, surrounded by rugged cliffs and accessible only through  a steep path full of bends having approximately 1,737 steps made it a formidable defensive structure (T.N Lokhande,2017). These features demonstrated advanced military tactics, ensuring the fort's endurance against prolonged aggression. Adversary troops could not climb  easily, and even if they did, they were channelised into a narrow alley, for effective eventual neutralisation by the fort’s defenders. The only official entrance, called the Maha Darwaja (Great Door), was ingeniously designed to mislead attacking troops. This dual emphasis on natural defenses and calculated military strategy thus not only discouraged direct attacks but also fatigued potential invaders. 

Typically, most forts in India were designed primarily for the security of large numbers of troops and their families. These forts had formidable perimeter defenses but lacked luxuries such as marketplaces or other essentials within their premises. Thus, they depended on external resources for sustenance.

Contrasted against this, Raigad housed a marketplace called Peth within its walls. Recent findings by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which include weapons, coins, horseshoes, and porcelain, confirm Raigad’s role as a prosperous hub that accommodated administrators, traders, and craftsmen (Madaan, 2024). These discoveries highlight a highly developed system comprising markets, living quarters, and administrative buildings, making Raigad a functional and effective center of activity that supported the kingdom's economy. 

This made Raigad more than just a garrison—it transformed it into a thriving community. The fort accommodated all societal classes, from the poorest to the nobility, living and working together. Its design enabled the fort to sustain itself during prolonged blockades by enemy forces, ensuring the economic and social resilience of its residents.The layout of Raigad facilitated mutual existence among business suppliers, artisans, and shopkeepers, making it a self-sufficient town. It maintained essential resources like water reservoirs, food storage, ration supplies, and logistical dumps. These provisions ensure the sustainability of life within the fort without reliance on external support, akin to modern gated communities, but with a focus on martial traditions and survival.

Additionally, Raigad’s concealed exit routes and secret bylanes played a crucial role in military tactics. These hidden pathways allowed for covert resupply of critical commodities and reinforcements of troops during enemy aggression. Such features exemplified its well-conceived design, maximizing its ability to withstand prolonged sieges and maintain operational effectiveness. Thus, Raigad was more than a defensive structure; it was a self-reliant system that seamlessly combined security, community living, and martial efficiency.

The Raj Bhavan (Royal Palace) in the fort was strategically positioned to facilitate the speedy exchange of information across various sections of the fort. Unlike traditional palaces that emphasized grandeur, the Raj Bhavan was a masterpiece of strategic and symbolic design, reflecting how a central authority instilled confidence in its followers.

The Royal Court, where his coronation took place in 1674, was a venue for policy formulation, governance, and inter-kingdom dealings, underscoring its role as a center of power and accountability. Situated at a commanding height, offering Chhatrapati Shivaji a panoramic view of his empire. This design highlighted the king's authority, embodying the concept of a panopticon where he could observe and be observed.In the same vein, the elevated throne was not merely a symbol of power but also a strategic feature. It facilitated public addresses without the need for amplifiers, transforming governance into an engaging visual and auditory experience for the people. Similarly, the Nagarkhana, a drum house located near the palace, served as a means of announcing royal decrees throughout the fort. 

The water supply system of Raigad challenges the perception of forts as purely defensive structures. The fort boasted numerous reservoirs and storage facilities to ensure a consistent water supply, with Ganga Sagar Lake serving as the most prominent example. This self-sufficient design symbolized the ethos of self-rule, enabling Raigad to withstand prolonged sieges and blockades. Its resilience was fortified by the collective determination of the Maratha warriors, known as Mawlas. Raigad Fort stands out as a unique example of fort architecture in India, deviating from the traditional norm where forts served primarily as military garrisons. Unlike other forts, which focused solely on perimeter defense and housed troops and their families, Raigad incorporated a marketplace (Peth) within its walls, making it more than just a military establishment. This thoughtful design fostered a self-sufficient town, where all classes, including traders, artisans, and shopkeepers, coexisted. This setup ensured sustainability during prolonged sieges by enemy forces, with provisions for water, food storage, and logistics that negated dependence on external support.

Architectural historian Vasant Shinde challenges the claims that the fort was destroyed by the British East India Company attacks in 1818 (Madaan, 2018). He postulates that the majority of the vast heritage of this grandeur just disappeared due to damage caused by carelessness and neglect. His findings emphasise that Raigad’s walls and constructions were formidable, using local basalt stone, which camouflaged meticulously with the surrounding without losing its structural formidability. The fort was not conceived to be a temporary military transit facility but it was constructed by design as an enduring symbol of power. Raigad’s design was a result of insightful and adaptive talent. Unlike Western castle-like structures that were predominantly inward looking, Raigad’s design permitted more extroverted projection of power. It thus flourished not only as a military transit point but as an epicentre of power that symbolises governance, sustenance and resilience. 

Even today its architectural class appears pertinent. Raigad’s water preservation plan, self-thriving markets, and governance model exhibit crucial takeaways for current state of the art urban planning. In times of critical sustainability requirements, its rainwater harvesting and strategic resource management are evident of practical and flexible architecture. The fort is not a capital any more, however the tenets of construction, quality and creativity are enduring. Essence of self sufficiency in commodities and the throne of governance reflected in Raigad of yesteryears is superlative even by modern yardsticks. To refer to Raigad as a fortress is to diminish its genuine value. Every passage, gateway and concealed reservoir reflects creativity that visualised beyond horizon in warfare and sustenance. Even in its decay today, Raigad stands tall as not just an antiquity but a mute torchbearer of an enduring strategy and a repository of archival lessons for the future generations to follow. 

Raigad's design ultimately reflects a vision of governance, longevity, and adaptability. Its spatial layout, water storage systems, markets, and living quarters underscore its dual function as the traditional seat of an empire and a thriving community hub. This unique combination of practical utility and visionary planning illustrates the  vision of Shivaji Maharaj, making Raigad not just an architectural marvel but a story of royal emergence and collective agency etched in stone.

References

Lokhande, T. N. & VISHWASHANTI MULTIPURPOSE SOCIETY (Global Peace Multipurpose Society). (2017). SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROWTH OF TOURISM NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN RAIGAD DISTRICT: A GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS. In VISHWASHANTI MULTIPURPOSE SOCIETY (Global Peace Multipurpose Society), INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCHES IN SOCIAL SCIENCES AND INFORMATION STUDIES: Vol. V (Issue 1, pp. 17–21). https://ijrssis.in/upload_papers/080320171256123.pd

Madaan, N. (2018, May 19). Burning of Raigad Fort may be a myth: Experts. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/burning-of-raigad-fort-may-be-a-myth-experts/articleshow/64227880.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com#

Journal, I. (2025). IRJET- Study of Raigad fort & its Construction and Planning Techniques of the Past and their adaptability to Today’s Construction. www.academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/54547964/IRJET_Study_of_Raigad_fort_and_its_Construction_and_Planning_Techniques_of_the_Past_and_their_adaptability_to_Todays_Construction

Madaan, N. (2024, March 10). ASI excavates wada at Raigad fort, rare artefacts found. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/asi-excavates-wada-at-raigad-fort-rare-artefacts-found/amp_articleshow/108371141.cms

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