Shivneri

Junnar means “Jirna Nagar”, one of the oldest cities of ancient India. The Shaka dynasty ruled here. Gautamiputra Satkarni, who was a Satvaahan king, defeated the Shakas to establish his rule. The era of Satvaahan is the most glorious one, as many artistic works were carried out during their rule. Junnar became their capital city. This was the golden era of our culture. Here more than 100 caves were carved out in the mountains surrounding Junnar. The mountain on which fortification was constructed, is well protected by steep scarps, and is the most suitable for constructing caves. Here 64 caves were carved, and eight inscriptions are found here. It was named Shivneri. After Satvaahans, the fort went into the hands of Yadavas, and then to the Bahmani Kings. The Bahmanis put a hindrance to the trade between north and southern India. After the death of Malik-ul-Tujar, Malik Ahmed, the son of first Nizam Malik Hasan, claimed himself to be the ruler and established Nizamshahi.

Jadhavrao (father of Jijamata) accompanied Jijamata to Shivneri with a cavalry of 500. Shivaji Maharaj was born in 1630 when Shahaji Maharaj was in a distress.

Shivaji Maharaj left this fort in 1632 and it went into the hands of Mughals in 1637. In 1650 the local fishermen refuted against them. The folks lost to the rulers and were assassinated cruelly on the fort. In 1678 the Marathas raided Junnar, but attempt to capture Shivneri was futile. Shahu Maharaj brought the fort under his control forty years later. Later it was under the control of Peshwas.