| Fort Name : | Alphabetically | RangeWise | DistrictWise | CategoryWise | GradeWise |
| Umberkhind | FortHeight : 2108 | ||
| Type : Hill forts | Fort Range : Lonavla | ||
| District : Pune | Grade : Medium | ||
| Umberkhind can be done easily in a single day from Mumbai and Pune. The Dukes Nose hill can also be combined in the itinerary. The region of Umberkhind stands as a magnificent witness to the brilliant Guerilla warfare strategy of Shivaji Maharaj which was used against the Mughal army and had them a stupendous defeat. | |||
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| History : | |||
| Umberkhind serves a one of the many ghats which descend into the Konkan region. Of it, Kurwande ghat starts from Lonavla and descends to Umbre village in Konkan region. While descending the Sahyadri range from Lonavla we come to Chavni village where we come across Amba river. This river can be followed up to the Thakurwadi village.the narrow path from Chavni to Thakurwadi passes through dense forest. There are small hills on both sides of the path due to which it takes the pattern of a valley. The opening of this valley is at Thakurwadi village. Below this hill, the Amba river takes a right turn. As this valley gets surrounded by the huge Sahyadri on the back side, hills on the either side, Amba river to one side it forms as a perfect trap for the enemy. This geographical position was used to the best advantage of the Maratha army to defeat the Mughals. In A.D.1661, Shahistekhan sent his general Kartalab Khanto capture the North Konkan region which was under the rule of Marathas. Other than Kartalab Khan, Kachhap, Jaswant Kokate, Raybaghan (the lady general), infantry & cavalry numbering to approximately 20,000, horses, bulls, small canons, rifles, elephants and treasure were also accompanied. Kartalab Khan arrived to Lonavla by the route of Pune-Talegaon-Vadgaon-Malavli. Kartalab Khan passed the forts of Lohagad and Visapur on his way but he didn’t face any resistance as it was pre-planned and ordered by Shivaji Maharaj. He deliberately wanted to stick the Mughal army in the Umberkhind valley. Netaji Palkar blocked the water sources on the way which made it difficult for the Mughal Army. To cheat the Mughal army, Shivaji Maharaj grouped his army near the town of Pen and had this information to pass till Kartalab Khan. The Mughal army took the route of Kurwanda ghat and reached Chavni village by afternoon. As it was the month of January, Amba river was dried up being a primarily monsoon water body. The treacherous valley route combined with the afternoon sun and lack of water made things hard for the Mughal army. Kartalab Khan ordered his army to march forward. When they reached the center point of the valley with one end of the army towards Thakurwadi village and the other end towards Chavni village, the Marathas attacked with full force. The Marathas got a good defense support of the adjoining forest and the hill while it made very difficult for the Mughals to defend and fight back. After hearing that Shivaji Maharaj was standing on the hill of Thakurwadi, it sent the Mughal army into a state of panic. Netaji Palkar had blocked the route of ascending through the Sahyadri range. Kartalab Khan and his army had got stuck badly in the brilliant seize of the Marathas and the wild nature which made them to surrender to the Marathas. Eventually the Mughal army had to retreat on foot by surrendering all their weapons, treasure and animals. On the day of 2nd February 1661 the Marathas won over the Mughal army in Umberkhind with very little loss on their side. |
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| Fascinating Spots : | |||
| Ways To Reach : | |
| Take the exit from Lonavla railway station, platform no 05 towards Bhushi Dam. Buses or cars are available to reach Kurvande village, it takes about 10 minutes to reach. The Dukes Nose pinnacle which is visible from the village can be climbed and returned to the village in an hour Kurvande village is on the plateau, from here we have to descend for Umberkhind taking an unpaved path. Recently a Gas company has built a road by which one can reach the Chavni village in an hour. A signboard for Umberkhind can be seen after a 30 mins trail from Chavni village. From here cross the river bank of Amba river to reach the Umberkhind War Memorial. Letters of Shivaji Maharaj and the history of Umberkhind are carved on a stone here. From here one can reach Shemdi village in an hour via Thakurwadi on the Pali-Khopoli road. From Shemdi village buses and autos are available to reach Khopoli. The Umberkhind trail is approximately about 9 miles and almost takes an entire day. Umberkhind can be reached by Lonavla-Kurwande-Chavni-Thakurwadi-Shemdi-Khopoli or Khopoli-Shemdi route to reach the Umberkhind memorial by ones vehicle except rainy season. | |
| Notes : | |
| 1) It takes 1 hour to reach via Lonavla – Kurvande village. We have to descend the hill here. 2) It takes 1 hour to reach via Khopoli – Shemdi route and further Umberkhind-Chavni-Kurvande takes One hour. Here we have to ascend the hill from its base. If this trek is done between September-October one can see many flowers on the way. The Karvai species of plants can be seen flowering here once every 7-8 years. Last flowering was in 2008. Water in Amba river can be available till November. |
| Marathi Version |