PUNE, Nov 5: Rajgad, the base of Chhatrapati Shivaji for most of his momentous campaigns and which was never attacked during his reign, is today under assault - official apathy and callousness are corroding its glory.Located about 55 km south of Pune, Rajgad is at a height of 4,574 feet above mean sea-level. Shivaji designed it exclusively for war and it was his residence for two decades. Its special feature are the doubly fortified ramparts, which no other hill fort in Maharashtra has. When Rahul Brahme and his friends trekked up to the historical hill fort on October 24, a horrible stench greeted them with human faeces and garbage sprawled all over.The fort lies littered with non-biodegradable waste and the place stinks like an open-air toilet. Plants have sprouted all over, threatening the foundation of the walls. Nestling in the rugged Sahyadri ranges, Rajgad's preservation is a difficult proposition even otherwise. In the past, stray visitors and trekkers contributed in keeping it clean and ensured that it was not even slightly damaged. However, today most trekkers seem least bothered about the historical importance of the fort. For them it is just a camping site and a place to have a good time.A spokesman of the Department of Archaeology and Museums here claimed that the plants are supposed to be chemically treated and killed to prevent any damage to the walls. However, evidence suggests a sad tale.Declared a protected monument under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeology Sites and Remains Act, 1960, the fort comes under the purview of Department of Archaeology and Museums. There are two caretakers on the fort, who allegedly, add to the troubles.Brahme alleges that the watchman, R S Shinde, allows people to consume alcohol on the fort. ``Not only does he allow consumption he even joins in''.A N Late, assistant director, Department of Archaeology and Museums, was not available for comment. However, Venkatesh Kamble, technical assistant, confirmed that the duties of the watchmen include preventing any damage to the historical structure and ensuring that it is kept clean.Padmavati Machee stinks of human faeces. What's worse, a smaller outlet called the ``Chor Darwaza'' on the machee, which over the years has become the most commonly-used entrance to the top of the fort for trekkers, has turned into a toilet by callous campers. Even as one climbs up to the fort from Pali, the trail is littered with cold drink labels and gutkha packets.The main entrance, Pali Darwaza, is saddled with plastic packets mostly of two-minute noodles, cigarette packets and polythene bags. Behind the Padmavati temple - the only place on the fort that offers a shelter to the campers - a garbage dump seems to be on an upward trend. The Padmavati tank has not been spared either. Littered with plastic bottles and bags, this sole source of water on the fort is being polluted.A group from Ganesh Peth, Pune, that was camping there when this reporter visited the fort during the weekend, were busy washing clothes and bathing in the tank. The fact that detergent could prove harmful to the stagnant water is completely ignored.Incidence of alcohol consumption on the fort, which is held in high reverence by thousands of admirers of Chhatrapati Shivaji, is more serious. According to Amol Natu, one of the trekkers who accompanied Brahme, the villagers at Bhonsale Wadi, Pali village, offered them country liquor before they started their ascent. And Shinde, who prefers to call himself a ``Killedar'' - commander of the fort - than a ``chowkidar'' - mere watchman - joins in whenever given the chance, they allege.According to noted historian and avid veteran trekker P K Ghanekar, the problems are compounded by the official apathy. ``The archaeological department is poorly staffed and financed. From 1948, the fort was looked after by Babuda Bhikale till 1988 and he did a good job. The new man, Shinde, is a drunkard,'' alleges Ghanekar.As far as the defaecation is concerned, Ghanekar points out that it is up to Shinde to ensure that some order is maintained by the campers. ``Even if they take some effort and dig small trenches, it will go a long way in helping maintain the fort''.To him and his generation of trekkers, Rajgad has a special place. Built in 1647-48 by Shivaji Maharaj after he had taken over the nearby fort of Torna while still in his teens, Rajgad served as his pre-coronation capital. Strategically placed in conjunction with Purandhar fort on one side and Sinhagad on the other, the fort was the residence of Shivaji and his mother and mentor Jijabai for over 20 years. It was from here that Shivaji launched his campaigns against Afzal Khan of Bijapur and the two generals of Aurangazeb - Shaista Khan and Mirza Raje Jai Singh.In terms of Maratha history and ethos, Rajgad is arguably the most important fort, because Shivaji used the fort as his base to achieve his goal of Hindavi Swaraj.
