Astrolabe Excavated at Raigad Fort Alongside Shivrai Coins and Artefacts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Astrolabe ('Yantraraj') excavated at Raigad Fort |
| Excavation Conducted By | Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) & Raigad Development Authority |
| Key Artefacts Found | Shivrai coins, clay/glass utensils, weapons, lamps |
| Astrolabe Details | - Material: Copper-bronze <br> - Shape: Rectangular <br> - Date: Shaka 1519 (1597 CE) <br> - Usage Period: Raigad's renovation (1656), Shivaji's coronation (1674) <br> - Inscriptions: Sanskrit (Devanagari script), words "mukh" (head) & "poonchh" (tail) <br> - Engravings: Tortoise/snake-like figures |
| Purpose of Astrolabe | Used by astrologers & navigators for tracking stars & calculating directions |
| Raigad Fort Significance | - Second capital of Shivaji Maharaj <br> - Coronation site (6th June 1674, title "Chhatrapati") <br> - Part of 12 forts nominated for UNESCO ("Maratha Military Landscapes of India") <br> - Example of Maratha hill fort architecture |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj | - Born: 19th February 1630, Shivneri Fort <br> - Clan: Bhonsle <br> - Founder: Maratha Empire <br> - Major Battles: Pratapgad (1659), Pavan Khind (1660), Surat (1664), Purandar (1665), Sinhagad (1670), Sangamner (1679) <br> - Wagh Nakh: Used to kill Afzal Khan (1659) <br> - Titles: Chhatrapati, Shakakarta, Haindava Dharmodhhaarak <br> - Administration: Ashtapradhan Council, Ryotwari System, strong naval force, guerrilla warfare pioneer |