Salher 3.8

IntroductionSalher is a place located near Waghamba in Satana tehsil in Nasik district of Maharashtra, India. It is the site of the highest fort in the Sahyadri mountains and the second highest peak at 1567m after Kalsubai in Maharashtra and 32nd highest peak in Western Ghats.This was one of the celebrated forts of Maratha Empire. The money acquired after raiding Surat was brought to this fort first on its way to the Maratha capital forts.HistoryAccording to a legend, Lord Parshuram did his Tapascharya at Salher Fort. After winning the earth and giving it as donation, he made land for himself to live in, by pushing the sea back with his arrows, right from this place. The twin fort Salota (4986 feet) is very near to Salher.An ancient and historically significant place like this is also famous for its battles during the reign of Shivaji.Salher Fort was under Shivaji maharaj in 1671. The Mughals attacked the fort in 1672. Almost one lakh soldiers fought in this war. Many soldiers died in this battle but finally Shivaji Maharaj won the battle of Salher. Of all the face to face battles between the Mughals and Shivaji Maharaj’s troops, the battle of Salher takes first place. Such a big battle was not won before. The bravery and strategy used by the Maratha troops in the battle spread far and wide and increased Shivaji Maharaj’s fame further. After winning Salher, the Marathas also captured Mulher and established their reign over the Baglan region. In the 18th century the Peshwas occupied this fort and later by the British.