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Fixed typos found with Wikipedia:Typo Team/moss.

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Panhala
| other_name =
| settlement_type = city
| image_skyline = Panhala.13.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Panhala water tank
| nickname =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Maharashtra
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|16.82|N|74.12|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = India
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kolhapur district|Kolhapur]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 754
| population_total = 3450
| population_as_of = 2001
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code = 416201
| registration_plate = MH-09
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
'''Panhala''' is a city and a Hill station Municipal Council (3177 feet above sea level) 18 km northwest of [[Kolhapur]], in [[Kolhapur district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Maharashtra]]. Panhala is the smallest city in Maharashtra and being a Municipal Council the city is developing rapidly. The city sprawls in the [[Panhala fort]] commands a panoramic view of the valley below. The main historical attraction here is the Panhala fort. There are many places of interest, each with its share of haunting anecdotes.

==History==
{{main|Panhala fort}}
The history of Panhala is closely linked with the history of the [[Maratha empire]], and with its founder, [[chatrapati Shivaji]]. Panhala is the only fort where chatrapati Shivaji spent more than 500 days, other than his childhood homes. It was Maratha State capital until 1782 and in 1827 it became part of the [[British Empire]].

This imposing fort, 20 km northwest of Kolhapur, is built on an outlying spur of the [[Western Ghats|Sahyadris]], rising more than 400 m above plain, and is the largest of all the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] forts. The strategic importance of Panhala, guarding one of the principal routes through the Western Ghat, can be judged from its long and varied history. Built between 1178 and 1209, it first served as the headquarters of the Shilahara ruler Bhoja II, and subsequently passed into hands of the [[Yadava dynasty|Yadav]]as. It was a favorite outpost of the [[Bahmani Sultanate|Bahamanis]] of [[Bidar]]; Mahmud Gawan, the powerful prime minister, encamped here during the rainy season of 1469. By the beginning of the 16th century Panhala was absorbed into the kingdom of [[Bijapur Sultanate|Bijapur]]. The [[Adil Shahi]]s were responsible for strengthening and rebuilding the ramparts and gateways. The fort was raided by Chatrapati Shivaji in 1659, but it was not until 1673 that he was able to occupy it permanently.

After [[Sambhaji]]’s death in 1689, it was captured by [[Aurangzeb]]. However, it was re-captured in 1692 by Kashi Ranganath [[Sarpotdar]] under the guidance of Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi.
In 1701 Panhala was finally surrendered to [[Aurangzeb]], and it was here that the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] Emperor received the English Ambassador, Sir [[Sir William Norris, 1st Baronet|William Norris]]. Within a few months the fort was retaken by the Maratha forces under Pant Amatya Ramachandra. Tarabai who asserted her autonomy by founding an independent dynasty. In 1782 these rulers shifted their headquarters to Kolhapur. After a local rebellion in 1844, Panhala was taken by the British. More than 7 km of fortifications define the approximately triangular zone of Panhala fort. The walls are protected for long sections by steep escarpments, reinforced by a parapet with slit holes. The remaining sections have 5–9 m high ramparts, strengthened by round bastions. Unfortunately, the East Gate called Char Darawaja, through which the road passes on arrival at fort, was demolished by the British.

The fort has another satellite fort visible. It is said that there were wells full with Ghee to cure the soldiers. The well-known poet [[Kavi Moropant|Moropant]] stayed here{{cn|date=February 2021}}.
Nearby are the [[Sambhaji]] temple, Someshwar temple, Teen Darwaza, and Raj Dindi, Sajja Kothi, Ambabai Temple, where Shivaji used to seek blessings before venturing on expeditions. Pavankhind, where [[Baji Prabhu Deshpande]] laid down his life to cover Shivaji's escape.

=== Parashar caves ===
[[File:Panhala.22.jpg|thumb|upright|Parashar caves]]
Panhala was traditionally considered the residence of Maharishi [[Parashara]]. The Karvir or Kolhapur Puran, a modern (1730) compilation, mentions Panhala as Pannagalay (home of serpents). In old inscriptions the name appears as Pranlak and Padmanal. These are supposed to be the caves where the sage Parashar lived. [[Moropant]], an 18th-century Marathi poet, wrote most of his work in these caves. Moropant's birthplace is Panhala.<ref name="Gunaji2010">{{cite book|author=Gunaji|title=Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KHA9SzLMj3EC&pg=PA30&dq=mahalaxmi+kolhapur&hl=en&sa=X&ei=l9GpUam-M8ilkQXMwYDYAg&ved=0CFMQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=mahalaxmi%20kolhapur&f=false|accessdate=1 June 2013|year=2010|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=978-81-7991-578-3|pages=30–}}</ref> These caves are mentioned in the Karvir Puraan as tirths (holy water).<ref name="gazette">{{cite book|title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency|publisher=Govt Central Press|location=Bombay, India|year=1866|pages=[https://archive.org/details/gazetteerbombay19enthgoog/page/n321 314]–315|url=https://archive.org/details/gazetteerbombay19enthgoog|quote=norris panhala.|accessdate=14 March 2009}}</ref>

==Geography==
Panhala is located at {{coord|16|49|12|N|74|7|12|E}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Panhala.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Panhala]</ref> It has an average elevation of 754 metres (2473 feet). Panhala is connected via train and bus to Kolhapur and Sangli. Kolhapur is about 20 km away while Sangli is about 55 km. Kolhapur Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Train Terminus is just 20 km away. [[Miraj]] is 55  km. Buses right from railway station to Panhala fort or you can also hire taxi or auto from Kolhapur to Panhala fort.

==Demographics==
{{As of|2001}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archivedate=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|accessdate=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Panhala had a population of 3450. Males constitute 57% of the population and females 43%. Panhala has an average literacy rate of 83%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 88%, and female literacy is 76%. In Panhala, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

==Panhala Arboretum==
Arboretum Site is R. S. No. 457 & 466 located along famous Teen Darwaja to Mangeshkar bungalow road. Area under plantation is 2.56 hectares. There are more than 3000 individuals of flowering plants. The planted species include trees (158 sps), shrubs (87 sps), grasses (7 sps), Perennial Herbs (19 sps), bamboos (6 sps), orchids (3 sps), palms (5 sps), climbers (33 sps), ferns (6 sps), pines (9 sps), cycads (2 sps). The activity itself is a Unique Activity in Maharashtra and is a joint venture of Panhala Municipal Council, Forest Department and Social Forestry.

==References==
{{commons category}}
<references/>

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://welcomekolhapur.com/index.php/panhalgad/ PANHALA]

[[Category:Hill stations in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Kolhapur district]]
[[Category:Talukas in Maharashtra]]

Panhala - Revision history

imported>Ira Leviton: Fixed typos found with Wikipedia:Typo Team/moss.