RAMSHEJ, RAMSEJ (Rama’s Bed), (रामशेज किल्ला)

RAMSHEJ

RAMSEJ (Rama’s Bed)

(रामशेज किल्ला)

It was rainy Wednesday morning of 2019 monsoon, I was on my job and suddenly received a call from my friend. My friend told me tomorrow morning we are going to Ramshej, be prepared I will pick you up from your place and he hung the call.

Currently I live in Nashik and we are group of three friends who go for trek, trail or site seeing. As per the pIan I had to be ready by 4:30 am. So on the way to home I picked some eggs and bread for our packed breakfast. I planned to make super yummy egg bhurji.

Next morning I woke up around 3:45 am, and got ready by 4:20 am. I made egg bhurji for my self during this. I carried around 1 ltr of water with me. By 4:35am my friend came to receive me. We went to Dwarka Circle of Nashik to pick our third friend. This was our meeting point from here we had to move ahead for our next journey. We were waiting for our friend till then we had some tea. Our friend reached by 4:45am. We discussed our route and plan for trek and we left for RAMSHEJ by 5:00am. We were travelling by private car. Its around 15-16 km from Nashik City so took almost 20-25 mins to reach Ashewadi village which is located at the base of Ramshej hill. Before reaching ashewadi village we stopped at one dhaba on highway for tea and also parcelled some. It was drizzling and foggy morning. On the way to Ramshej we had thought that we have to trek in this drizzle. But when we reached Ashewadi village we were lucky that drizzling had stopped though there was some fog but it was setting our mood for trek. We parked our car at the base of Ramshej and started trekking.

Ramsej is called Prabhu Ramachandra’s Resting Place according to Indian Mythology. Prabhu Ramachandra took rest at this place during his stay at Panchvati during his Exile.

But Ramshej came in focus during Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s regime. Sambhaji Maharaj was Son Of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and 2nd Chhatrapati of Maratha Empire. Ramshej is one of the small forts amongst the all forts of Maratha Empire. Though Ramshej is small fort but is witness of huge heroic and historic war and Bravery of soldiers. Ramshej saw the war between Maratha’s and Mughals for approximately 6 years.

Location

Ramsej or Ramshej fort situated around 15 kms from Nashik city on Nashik -Peth Road.

Near Ashewadi Village, Dist. Nashik, Maharashtra on right side.

Height Of fort : 3273 Feet from sea level.

Historic Story

After the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj( Feb 19,1630 - April 3,1680) many forts stood strong for Maratha Empire’s 2nd Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Ramsej/Ramshej is one of them.

During reign of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb came to Maharashtra with the motive to destroy Hindavi Swarajya completely. Aurangzeb chose to start the attack with Ramsej/Ramshej thinking that it is one of the smallest fort hence could be acquired easily. This fort was attacked by Shahbuddin Gaziudin Firozejung with an army of 40,000 soldiers and canons. The Mughals sieged the fort when the fort had only 600 Mavla’s (Maratha soldier called Mavla).

Shahbuddin implemented many ideas, dynamited the area and installed wooden platforms to hold the canons and many more. The Killedar (commander) of Ramsej/Ramshej fort was an experienced and intelligent strategist. Killedar of Ramsej/Ramshej put an end to their daydreams.

Once the Mughal artillery managed to break the fort walls by end of the day and they assumed that the fort will be captured easily. But all 600 Mavla’s on the fort worked for a full night and rebuilt the entire broken section of the wall. Mughals were remained stunned by this act of Mavla’s. Such fierce resistance made the Mughal soldiers believe that the Marathas on the fort knew black magic.

Marathas were very smart to make different and unique strategies during war even on the forts having no cannons or guns. Ramshej was no exception and even though it did not have cannons it had sufficient ammunition. Killedar of the fort had an idea and utilised amply available animal skin and wood on the fort to make wooden cannons. Coupled with the ammunition already present on the fort these wooden cannons started inflicting heavy losses on mughal army.

In May 1682, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj sent Rupaji Bhosale and Manaji More with an army of 7000 to break the siege. Shahbuddin checked the advance of Marathas at a place near Ganeshgaon. Fierce battle happened between the two. Mughals lost this battle. Enthusiasm filled in maratha’s with this Victory. But due to this defeat, Aurangzeb commanded Bahadur Khan to help Shahbuddin.

As the time flew, Shahbuddin faced multiple failures hence moved towards Junnar giving lead to Bahadur Khan to take responsibility further. Bahadur Khan planned new strategies. He planned to divide his army into two parts. One part of army with cannons and ammunition would distract Maratha forces and other part of army would attack from other-side. But Marathas became aware about this strategy somehow, which led the plan of Bahadur Khan to go in vain.

Because of this failure Bahadur Khan started believing Marathas on the fort knew black magic. Bahadur khan called Tantrik to advice new strategy. Tantrik Suggested to create golden serpent (snake statue) weighing 100 tola( 1 tola = 10 grams). With help of this Golden serpent tantrik will lead Mughals till main gate of fort. Bahadur Khan followed his instruction. Tantrik led Mughals till main get of fort. As Mughals reached within range, Marathas attacked Mughals. Mughals got horrified with this attack and ran away and Bahadur Khan had to retreat.

After this Kasim khan Kiramani marched towards Ramshej, but he too failed to get the fort. Brave Marathas fought for about 65 months and proved how strong their forts are.

How to Reach

To reach Ramsej/Ramshej Fort first we have to reach Nashik, Maharashtra, India.

Reach Till Ashewadi Village by bus from Nashik City bus stand. From Ashewadi Village one has to walk to reach Ramshej Fort.

It's Convenient to reach by private vehicle. It saves Time. Private vehicles available from Nashik.

Guide is available at Ashewadi.

Note : Its our duty to keep our mother earth clean. Please do not litter such heritage places by throwing garbage carried with you. Collect all waste in garbage bag and dispose it in correct manner.