Pune: Around 50 college students from fields of arts, film editing, mechanical engineering and architecture have recreated a 3D model of the 300-year-old Raigad Fort.
The replica is a part of the Diwali exhibition from October 17-23, an initiative of Itihas Premi Mandal at Navin Marathi School at Shaniwar Peth.
Eminent scholar of literature on saints, Ramchandra Dekhne, was the chief guest.
Rajgad fort, in Raigad district in the Sahyadri mountain range, was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1674. When the Britishers attacked and captured it in 1818, the major parts were destroyed.
Two architecture students, Sanket Virkar and Mukul Yengul were the hands behind recreating the 3D model.
Virkar, said, “We referred books and Internet for our research since two months and completed the structure in last five days. Thermocol was used along with foam board, model paper, and corrugated sheets.”
In the programme, a short film was shown on the legendary Shivaji Maharaj and Rajgad fort. Along with it, a key 3D model of actual Rajgad fort was showcased and only the place where Shivaji ruled was demonstrated including - Nagarkhana where nagada was played, Rajsabha (the throne), Manore (tower), Bazaar Peth (the market), Jagadishwar Temple and the main building Rajyasabha. Shivaji Maharaj was shown riding on an elephant from Rajyasabha to Jagadishwar temple.
Mohan Shete, a history enthusiast and president of Itihas Premi Mandal, said, “Having no clue of how the fort actually looked thousands of years ago, we thought why not make a fort model that no one has seen so far. We contacted some senior architects and historians to get the knowledge on how the original architectural design of the fort was sure to be and accordingly the work started.”
Dekhne said, “Advance technology is helping people experience things about which it is not possible in today’s age to get the knowledge. The students who have recreated the fort have a lot to say about the it, which is necessary to nurture the generation of today.”
