Pratapgad Fort is a hilltop Maratha fortress 24 km from Mahabaleshwar, built in 1656 on the orders of Chhatrapati Shivaji as part of his campaign to push the Bijapur Sultanate back from the Konkan passes. It is one of the best-preserved Maratha forts in Maharashtra and ranks among the most historically significant — the site of one of the most celebrated incidents in Maratha history (see story above).
The fort divides into an upper and lower section. The lower fort contains the Afzal Khan Tomb (a simple structure where the Bijapur general was buried, maintained out of historical respect) and the gateway with its original cannons. The upper fort has the main bastions, a Bhavani Devi temple, and panoramic views over the Koyna valley and the Sahyadri ranges. The path from the car park to the top takes about 20–30 minutes and is steep in places but well maintained. The fort is a state protected monument and draws large crowds on weekends and public holidays.