The imposing and large Pratapgad Fort is located in the Satara district in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. Translated literally as the 'Valour Fort', this popular tourist place was once the site of the legendary Battle of Pratapgad. Just 23 km west of the popular hill station of Mahabaleshwar, the fort rises some 1080 meters above the sea level and was built on a spur.

Pratapgad Fort was built under the supervision of the great Maratha king ShivajiMaharajwith the purpose to safeguard the banks of the Konya and Nira Rivers. Completed in 1656, the fort was also built to defend the Par pass from the menace of Muslim rulers of the erstwhile period. On this very site, below the ramparts of the fort, was fought the famous Battle of Pratapgarh between Shivaji and Afzal Khan in 1659.

The site of Pratapgad Fort holds great historical value as it paved the way for the establishment of the Maratha Empire. The structure, divided into the lower fort and upper fort, is grand in true sense where the upper fort is on the crest of the hill while the lower is to the southwest side. The upper fort is almost square in shape and has 180m size of each side.