HISTORY
The first Muslim invasion of the Deccan took place in 1296. It is believed that muslims ruled over Satara up to 1707. In 1636 the Nizam Shahi dynasty came to an end. In 1663, Chhatrapati ShivajiMaharajtook overParali and Satara fort. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Urged to his Guru Sant Shri Samarth Ramdas Swami on Parali fort, and due to his existence, the place was known as Sajjangad. After the death of ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj, ShahuShivaji, heir apparent to the Maratha Empire, was detained by Mughals when he was only seven years old and remained their prisoner till the death of his father. The Dowager Maharani Tarabai proclaimed his younger half-brother and her son, ShahuSambhaji as Chhatrapati under her rule. Mughals released Shahuon few terms in 1707,the cruel purpose behind this was that the Marathas would face internal conflicts for the throne. Shahu returned to the Maratha Empire and claimed his inheritance. In 1708 ChhatrapatiShahu, the son of ChhatrapatiSambhaji, was crowned at the Satara fort. The direct descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj continue to live in Satara. ChhatrapatiUdayanrajeBhosle is the 13th descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Geograhy
Satara city is surrounded by seven hills. Satara lies on the slope of Ajinkyatara fort, on the western side of the Deccan Plateau. Pune and Solapur are the main cities nearSatara.
National Highway 48 (formerly National Highway 4) passes through Satara, which connect cities like Pune and Bengaluru.
The Satara District experiences earthquakes of minor magnitudes as it is located in the tectonically active region.
Language spoken in area
Marathi,English,Hindi
Nearest Tourist places
One can plan to visit the following tourist places along with Satara
- Mahabaleshwar: Mahabaleshwar is the supreme hill station in Maharashtra. It is situated about 4500 ft. above sea level in the Sahyadri mountain range. It used to serve as the summer capital of the Old Bombay Presidency. The tourists are fascinated by its marvelous foliage, beautiful gardens & breathtaking scenery. Located 68.1 KM to the northwest of Satara.
- Panchgani: Named after the five majestic hills enclosing it, Panchgani makes for a popular hill station in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Situated at an elevation of around 4,376 ft above sea level, this hill station is packed with towering mountains, serene valleys, cascading waterfalls, and dense forests. Captivating destinations in the surroundings such as Sydney Point, Table Land, Rajpuri Caves, and Dhom Dam are the major attractions of Panchgani and row a feather to itscharm and beauty. Located 48.9 KM away from Satara.
- Pratapgad Fort: It is 21 KM from Mahabaleshwar on Mahad Road. It is a very important fort as the historic combat with Afzal Khan took place here on 10thNovember 1659. The altitude of this fort is 3543 ft above sea level. The temple of TuljaBhavani has been built here by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. One can witness the dense forest of Jawali from this fort.
- Thoseghar falls: If you are looking for some water fun in Satara then Thoseghar waterfalls is the place for you. Being the most popular waterfall, it is one of the tallest falls in the region, and the most visited waterfall in Maharashtra. Located 26.8 KM to the southwest of Satara.
- Kaas Plateau is a recognised UNESCO's World Heritage Site (WHS). The Kaas Plateau transforms into a garden of blossom during monsoons. More particularly so in September when vivid shades of Pink Balsams, Yellow Smithias, and Blue Utricularis cover the entire grasslands.It’s a must-visit for Botany enthusiasts, florists, photographers and nature lovers to witness the vivid colours of Western Ghats in monsoon rains and montane grasslands flora, some of which are rare and on the verge of extinction.
- One can visit famous places like Tapola Lake, Bhambavli Vajrai Waterfall, and a lot of natural sites in the vicinity of the city.