Shivneri was one of the key forts in the Junnar region since very old times. Before the Satvahana rule, Shaks ruled this region and Junnar was the capital of the Shak ruler Nahapan. Shivneri has very old caves dating to few hundred years before Christ. Later, Gautamiputra Satkarni uprooted Shak rule from Deccan and subsequently from India. Till 12th century, this fort was under the control of Yadavas of Devgiri.