Vijaydurg

Vijaydurg

As like Janjira, Vijaydurg is also a robust fort in Maharashtra. The history of the fort dates back to 1205 AD, when it was constructed by King Bhoj of Shilahar dynasty. Later the fort was ruled by many dynasties including Yadav, Kings of Vijay Nagar, Aadilshaha, Marathas and British. Shivaji Maharaj captured this fort from Adilshah in 1653. This is among the two forts where Shivaji Maharaj had personally hoisted the saffron flag of Maratha empire. The other fort is Torana.

Vijaydurg

Vijaydurg remain impregnable for a long time. It was attacked in 1717, 1720 and 1734 by British, Portuguese and Dutch, but remain unconquered.

Vijaydurg was the main Maratha naval base under Kanhoji Anngre and Tulahi Aangre. A naval dock was constructed near Vijaydurg, where Maratha warships built and repaired.

Way to main entrance of Vijaydurg

Way to main entrance of Vijaydurg

This fort has strategic advantage, as it is situated near Vaghotan Creek, which is 40 km long. Large warships could not enter the shallow water of the creek, so these ships were useless to attack on this fort. Maratha warships were anchored in this creek and so were invisible from deep sea.

The under water fencing wall constructed around the fort is the protective shield of the fort. The wall is present at 8 to 10 meter depth from the sea surface and is invisible from the surface. Most of the warships attacking on this fort would struck this wall and sunk.

One more architectural marval is the under water, under ground tunnel from the fort to the Dhulp's palatial house in the village. This tunnel is man made.

Vijaydurg is protected with its 36 meter high fortification and the 20 bastions on it.The fortification available today is actually constructed by Shivaji Maharaj after he captured the fort from Aadilshah. He then renamed the fort to 'Vijaydurg'. Earlier the fort was known as 'Gheria', as it is situated near the village 'Girye'.

Cannon shells on Vijaydurg

Fortification of  Vijaydurg

Water tank on Vijaydurg

Fortification of Vijaydurg

Fortification of Vijaydurg

Fortification of Vijaydurg

Fortification of Vijaydurg

Fortification of Vijaydurg

Fortification and the Bastion on it 

Fortification of Vijaydurg

Fortification of Vijaydurg

Janjira

Murud Janjira the robust fort is situated on the west coast of India. It is in Raigad District of Maharashtra, about 165km south of Mumbai.

The special thing about the fort is that, the fort was invincible to Marathas, Dutch and the British. All these tried to conquer the fort many times, but all the attempts were in vain. The robust fortress which is standing tall even after more than 400 years of construction, the cannons and the bastions of the fort has made the fort unconquerable.

In the 15th century the local fishermen had constructed some wooden structure on this island in the Arabian sea with the permission from Nizamshah of Ahmadnagar. This was done to protect the community from pirates. Ram Koli (Patil) was the leader of the fishermen community. Later he became rebel and refused to respect the orders of Nizamshah

One of the commander of Nizamshah, - Piram Khan captured the fort and the wooden construction from Kolis in Troy style. He entered the fort with three ships full of soldiers pretending to be a merchant. He offered Ram Patil and his men good quality wine. When all were under influence of the wine, Piraam Khan's soldiers came out of the ships and arrested Ram Patil. The fort was captured by Piram Khan. His son "Burhan Khan" constructed the fort which we see today. He razed the old construction by Kolis before constructing the new fortification with stone in about 1570. Since then the fort is impregnable.

Repeated attempts by Shivaji Maharaj to capture the fort failed. After him, Chhatrapati Smbhaji also could not capture the fort. So he build yet another marine fort : Padmdurg, just 9 km north to Janjira. Later Peshwas tried to capture Janjira, but failed.

The fort is about 3 km from the shore and can be approached by sailboats. As like other marine forts in Maharashtra, the main entrance is not visible unless the visitor comes enough close to the fort. The mosque, the palce of Siddi, the fresh water reservoirs, the cannons laying on the bastions of the fort are the things to be seen on the fort. Also there are other ruins of the buildings laying on the fort. The fortification of the fort is still in good condition as compared ti other forts in Maharashtra.

Here are some snaps of the impregnable fort : Janjira.



Fortification as seen from outside of Janjira



Fortification as seen from outside of Janjira



Main entrance of Janjira. This is not visible from along distance



Main Entrance of the fort Janjira



Remains of the construction inside the fort Janjira






One of the cannon laying on the bastion of the fort Janjira

 

One of the cannon laying on the bastion of the fort Janjira



Fortification ans the sea as seen from iside the fort

Sweet watre reservoir

Ruins of the construction and the palace of Siddi

Water reservoir and the palace of Siddi



Cannons laying on one of the bastion of Janjira




Sign inscribed in stone wall near main entrance




Signs inscribed in stone wall near main entrance




Singn inscribed in stone wall near main entrance





Ruins of construction



Cannon on the fort



Main entrance from inside