Five Forts, Four Wheels | Honda Elevate

There’s a strange joy in knowing that history isn’t just confined to textbooks or crumbling monuments; it’s alive, woven into the very roads we take. On this road trip, we set out to explore some of Maharashtra's greatest forts, where battles were fought, empires were formed, and legends were created.

The Honda Elevate became our modern chariot for this historical excursion. Ancient forts were built to endure centuries, and today, the Honda Elevate is engineered to endure India’s unpredictable roads. Warriors once relied on strategy and skill to overcome difficult terrain. This time, we did it with an SUV that offered the adaptability needed for India’s varied roads with a design ethos that evoked the classic spirit of bygone periods.

The journey began at Shivneri Fort, a place steeped in folklore and history. As the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, this stronghold had seen more action than a Bollywood blockbuster. If those walls could talk, they’d have tales of valour, sieges, and the occasional bit of backstabbing political drama. While its origins are traced back to earlier dynasties, most modern research credits the Yadavas with its rise, later passing through the hands of the Bahmani and Ahmadnagar Sultanates before it became synonymous with the Marathas. For Shivaji Maharaj, Shivneri was more than home. It was the foundation of an empire. Arriving there in the Honda Elevate, powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC engine delivering 119 bhp, one couldn’t help but appreciate the irony: centuries ago, warriors on horseback navigated those rugged trails, and there we were, gliding over them in air-conditioned comfort.

Shivaji was raised here, trained in the art of warfare, and taught the importance of forts in military strategy. In many ways, his vision was about adaptability, much like what Honda had achieved with the Elevate. A city-friendly SUV that was just as capable when the roads became, well… less than ideal.

With history freshly imprinted in our minds, we moved towards Sinhagad Fort, dramatically perched atop a hill with a commanding view of the plains below. Back in the 17th century, the only way up was either on foot or with a particularly determined horse. These days, the Honda Elevate made the climb with considerably less effort, its 220mm ground clearance handling the road with ease. Sinhagad, formerly known as Kondhana, was where Tanaji Malusare pulled off one of the most daring military manoeuvres in Indian history, scaling near-vertical cliffs under the cover of darkness with the help of a trained monitor lizard. Yes, you read that right. A lizard. Though history books were divided on the specifics, the story remained legendary. Today, however, the only lizards we found were basking in the sun, watching drivers attempt to parallel park.

Tanaji won the battle against Udaybhan Rathod but lost his life, prompting Shivaji to declare, ‘गड आला पण सिंह गेला’, ‘The fort is captured, but the lion is lost.’ The words echoed through these hills, a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice that defined the Maratha spirit. Hence, the name was changed from Kondhana to Sinhagad, ‘Sinh’ means lion and ‘Gad’ means fort.

Further along, our road led to Torna Fort, the first fort Shivaji Maharaj ever captured, and he did it at the ripe old age of 16. Most teenagers worried about exams at that age; Shivaji Maharaj was busy reshaping history. Torna was a symbol of youthful audacity and ambition. It stood tall as the highest fort in the Pune district, its cliffs whispering of uprising. The Honda Elevate, with its butch stance and imposing road presence, reflects the mindset that is created for those who think big and take risks. Whether in the city or in the hills, it adapted with confidence, leaving us wondering if Shivaji Maharaj would have enjoyed the efficiency of an automatic gearbox.

Purandar Fort was next on the list. Unlike the others, this fort was less about battle scars and more about political intrigue. It was there that the Treaty of Purandar was signed in 1665, where Shivaji Maharaj proved that sometimes, sharp negotiation was as powerful as a sharp sword. The Honda Elevate’s 10.25-inch touchscreen, complete with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, served as a modern equivalent, guaranteeing that we never lost our way, even if historical politics might have left us slightly bewildered. In that era, swift communication determined the fate of empires, staying informed and prepared was the key to success. Today, technology ensures we’re never out of touch, whether navigating new roads or planning the next move. The Elevate even gets wireless charging, which means you don’t have to carry cables to have access to crucial information, which can be the difference between leading and lagging behind.

Finally, we reached the final destination, Raigad Fort, the crown jewel of the Maratha empire. This was Shivaji Maharaj's imperial seat, where he was anointed and the focal point of his military and political strategy. Unlike many other forts that have declined over time, Raigad maintained an air of magnificence, defying the elements. It was a place of tenacity, much like the Honda Elevate, which comes equipped with Honda Sensing ADAS, which includes collision mitigation braking and lane-keeping assist, a set of safety measures meant to make urban driving as simple as possible. If only medieval fighters had lane-keeping assistance.

Driving through those storied terrains in a Honda Elevate became more than just a road trip; it was a lesson in how far we had come. The fortresses, once symbols of endurance and military might, now stood as historical reminders, while the Elevate symbolised modern engineering built to tackle India’s ever-evolving roads. Its dimensions of 4,312 mm in length, 1,790 mm in width, and a 2,650 mm wheelbase made it suitable for both city commutes and weekend trips, ensuring your safety whether you were on a well-paved highway or a historic mountain pass.

There was a lovely symmetry to everything. Ancient forts were meant to withstand the ravages of time, whereas the Honda Elevate is designed to withstand the unpredictable nature of modern roads. Each smooth gear shift, each pothole absorbed by its well-tuned MacPherson strut front suspension, reminded us that progress doesn’t erase history; it builds upon it. We drove along the same paths that soldiers and generals had taken in an SUV built on the same concepts of resilience, adaptability, and intelligence.

It was, in many ways, surreal. Once upon a time, those forts were battlefields; now, they are backdrops for scenic road trips. The touchscreen infotainment, wireless connectivity, and Honda Sensing ADAS package assured that even the most challenging routes were confidently tackled. There are no swords, no war cries, just the steady hum of a well-engineered, naturally aspirated engine.

The Honda Elevate was more than just an SUV; it was a time machine, bridging the gap between the past and the present. Its design, reminiscent of Maharashtra strongholds, highlighted strength and endurance, but modern amenities ensured that every journey was comfortable, controlled, and, dare I say, royal.

For those who appreciated history, engineering, and the simple thrill of a well-crafted drive, the Elevate provided a unique opportunity to journey across time. From the walls of Shivneri to the heights of Raigad, this was more than simply a drive; it was a homage to past legends, a celebration of current inventions, and, most importantly, a worthwhile journey.

With the Honda Elevate, history isn’t just a relic of the past; it’s a journey we continue to explore, one road at a time.