Geography has always played a decisive role in the history of Maharashtra.

The great Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj cleverly exploited the terrain of the Western Ghats to his advantage. Shivaji, who pioneered the tactic of guerilla warfare, was also a fort builder par excellence. It is said that he conquered 130 forts, built 111 and at the time of his death in 1680 possessed some 240 odd forts. Remotely located high up in the Sahyadri ranges, Maharashtra's 350+ hill forts are a striking pointer to the military strength of the Marathas and other ancient regimes. The state is also home to 17 marine forts, which are found in the costal districts of Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg

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