Chakan

Chakan lies north of Pune on the western Deccan plateau. Its fort guarded a route across the country between Pune and the northern hills and became a stronghold of Shivaji’s rising Maratha power. The fort was entrusted to Firangoji Narsala, an officer who had served Shivaji’s father Shahaji.

In 1660 the Mughal commander Shaista Khan laid siege to Chakan while Shivaji was engaged against Bijapur near Panhala. Mughal troops dug trenches, raised platforms and brought heavy guns against the walls. Firangoji’s garrison resisted until the defences were breached and its position became untenable. The commander then surrendered. The prolonged siege demonstrated both the strength of a determined garrison and the resources the Mughal army could bring against a relatively small fort.