CONTEXT: HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Raigad Fort served as the capital of the Maratha Empire under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• The fort holds immense historical importance, being the site of Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation in 1674.
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Raigad Development Authority have been conducting excavations at the fort for several years.

CONCEPT: THE ASTROLABE (YANTRARAJ)

• An astrolabe, known as ‘Yantraraj’ in Sanskrit, is an ancient astronomical instrument used for solving problems related to time and the position of the stars.
• The discovered astrolabe is rectangle-shaped and features inscriptions in Sanskrit and Devanagari script, including the term Shaka 1519, corresponding to 1597 CE.
• The instrument includes engravings of animals resembling a tortoise or snake, with the words “mukh” (head) and “poonchh” (tail), likely used for determining north-south orientations.
• This artifact indicates the advanced scientific knowledge and astronomical practices during the Maratha period.

CURRENT: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

• The astrolabe was discovered near a historic mansion above Kushavarta Lake, between the rain gauge and Wadeshwar Temple at Raigad Fort.
• Although unearthed during excavations conducted over the past three to four years, its discovery was only recently disclosed.
• Plans are underway to display the astrolabe at a museum in Mumbai, making it accessible to the public and scholars.
• This finding underscores the rich scientific heritage of India and the importance of preserving historical artifacts.