History of Prabalgad:
This fort was built to keep an eye
on the ancient ports of Panvel and kalyan situated in north konkan. From the
study of the caves in this fort it is estimated that it belongs to the time of
Buddha. Shilahar and Yadav made it army camp because of the strong manmade caves
engraved in this fort and named it ‘Muranjan’. It was built at time of Bahamani
Empire. Afterwards it came under ‘Nijamshahi of Ahmednagar’. When Nijamshahi
was on the verge of collapse Shahaji Raja tried to save nijamshahi but Mughal
Shahajahan and Adilshaha of Vijapur both send their army separately to defeat
Shahaji. When Shahaji came to know this he moved to fort Kondhana and
Murumbdev. After that he went to Siddhi of Janjira, who denied helping him
against Mughal and Adilshahi, so Shahaji tried to get help from Portuguese of
chaul, he too couldn’t helped him. Hence finally Shahaji, with his wife Jijabai
and son young Shivaji moved on Muranjan fort along with army. Later in 1636
Shivaji left Muranjan fort. In the same year 1636 agreement of Mahuli was made
according to which the North Konkan went under Mughal Empire but still
Adilshaha of Vijapur was ruling the area, Shivaji grabbed this opportunity. He
defeated More of Javli and capture Javli area. At the same time a brave sardar
of Shivaji, Abaji Mahadev won the area of kalyan, Bhiwandi and Rayri. That time
fort Muranjan came under swarajya of Shivaji. Shivaji changed the name of this
fort from “Muranjan to Prabalgad “(prabal= strong) .later on in 1665 according
to agreement of Purander, Prabalgad was one of the fort out of 23 which were
handover to Mughal. Mughal sardar Jaysingh appointed a Rajput named Kesarsingh
Hada on the fort Prabalgad. When agreement of Purander was busted Marathas took
the fort once again. In doing so Kesarsingh was killed by Marathas. Before that
Rajput ladies accepted to went on Johar. Mother and sons of Kesarsingh who were
hidden on fort were freed by the order of Shivaji. In investigation of the fort
Great amount of wealth was found.
