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|built = {{Start date|1664}}
|built = {{Start date|1664}}
|builder =Hiroji Indulkar (Deshmukh) on Behalf of Shivaji Maharaj
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|website =http://www.sindhudurg.nic.in/
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==History==
==History==
This fort was constructed by [[Shivaji|Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]], the Chhatrapati of the [[Maratha Empire]].<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 |pages=207}}</ref> The construction was done under the supervision of Hiroji Indulkar, in the year 1656.
This fort was constructed by [[Shivaji|Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]], the Chhatrapati of the [[Maratha Empire]].<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 |pages=207}}</ref> The construction was done under the supervision of Hiroji Indulkar, in the year 1656. Shivaji selected the strategic rocky island location, then known as 'Kurte' for the fort, himself - to counter foreign forces (English,French and Dutch colonists) and to keep the nearby Siddis of Murud-Janjira in check.


==Structural details==
==Structural details==
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At a time when travelling by sea was banned by scriptures, this construction on an island represents the revolutionary mindset of its engineer. A remain of an iron mould can be seen on the fort.
At a time when travelling by sea was banned by scriptures, this construction on an island represents the revolutionary mindset of its engineer. A remain of an iron mould can be seen on the fort.

== Tourist Attractions ==
There are three sweet water reservoirs in the fort ramparts. Even if the water in the nearby villages dries up in summer, these wells always contain water.

There is a coconut tree which has a branch and also gives fruit. (No other coconut tree has a branch.) The tree was struck by lightning a couple of years ago.

====== Hidden Passage ======
There is a hidden passage (that starts in a temple that looks like a water reservoir) that goes under the island for 3 km, under the sea for 12 km, and from there 12 km to a nearby village. The tunnel was used as an escape route for the women if the enemy entered the fort. However, the British partially closed this passage after the fort was abandoned.

====== Shivaji Maharaj Temple ======
There is the only temple of Shivaji Maharaj in the world; the temple was built by Shivaji's son Rajaram. Festivities such as Shivaji Jayanti (birthday of Shivaji), Ram Navami, Janmashtami, Mahashivrathri, Ganesh Chaturthi, are celebrated.

Daily puja (worship)and maintenance is done by mainly two families that were assigned this job since the fort was built; one of them is Shriram Sakpal.

A handprint and a footprint of Shivaji Maharaj is also embedded in one section of the fort. There is also Atmeshwar Mandir, a famous Shivling, and is beautiful place for adhyatmik sadhana (spiritual activities).


==Permanent residents==
==Permanent residents==

Revision as of 14:22, 22 August 2016

Sindhudurg Fort
सिंधुदुर्ग किल्ला
Part of Maharashtra
Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra
Sindhudurg fortress from the mainland.
Sindhudurg Fort is located in Maharashtra
Sindhudurg Fort
Sindhudurg Fort
TypeIsland fort
Site information
OwnerGovernment of India
Controlled by Maratha Empire
India Government of India (1947-)
Open to
the public		Yes
Site history
Built1664 (1664)
Built byHiroji Indulkar (Deshmukh) on Behalf of Shivaji Maharaj

Sindhudurg Fort (Marathi सिंधुदुर्ग किल्ला) is a fort that occupies an islet in the Arabian Sea, just off the coast of Maharashtra in Western India. The fortress lies on the shore of Malvan town of Sindhudurg District in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, 450 kilometres (280 mi) south of Mumbai.[1] It is a protected monument.[2]

History

This fort was constructed by Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire.[3] The construction was done under the supervision of Hiroji Indulkar, in the year 1656. Shivaji selected the strategic rocky island location, then known as 'Kurte' for the fort, himself - to counter foreign forces (English,French and Dutch colonists) and to keep the nearby Siddis of Murud-Janjira in check.

Structural details

Over 4000 mounds of iron were used in the casting and foundation stones were firmly laid down. Construction started on 25 November 1664. Built over a period of three years (1664–67), the sea fort is spread over 48 acres (190,000 m2) with a two-mile (3 km) long rampart, and walls that are 30 feet (9.1 m) high and 12 feet (3.7 m) thick. The massive walls were designed to serve as a deterrent to approaching enemies and to the waves and tides of the Arabian Sea. The main entrance is concealed in such a way that no one can pinpoint it from outside.

At a time when travelling by sea was banned by scriptures, this construction on an island represents the revolutionary mindset of its engineer. A remain of an iron mould can be seen on the fort.

Tourist Attractions

There are three sweet water reservoirs in the fort ramparts. Even if the water in the nearby villages dries up in summer, these wells always contain water.

There is a coconut tree which has a branch and also gives fruit. (No other coconut tree has a branch.) The tree was struck by lightning a couple of years ago.

Hidden Passage

There is a hidden passage (that starts in a temple that looks like a water reservoir) that goes under the island for 3 km, under the sea for 12 km, and from there 12 km to a nearby village. The tunnel was used as an escape route for the women if the enemy entered the fort. However, the British partially closed this passage after the fort was abandoned.

Shivaji Maharaj Temple

There is the only temple of Shivaji Maharaj in the world; the temple was built by Shivaji's son Rajaram. Festivities such as Shivaji Jayanti (birthday of Shivaji), Ram Navami, Janmashtami, Mahashivrathri, Ganesh Chaturthi, are celebrated.

Daily puja (worship)and maintenance is done by mainly two families that were assigned this job since the fort was built; one of them is Shriram Sakpal.

A handprint and a footprint of Shivaji Maharaj is also embedded in one section of the fort. There is also Atmeshwar Mandir, a famous Shivling, and is beautiful place for adhyatmik sadhana (spiritual activities).

Permanent residents

The number of permanent residents staying in the fort has been in decline since the fort's abandonment. Most of the residents moved out because of inadequate employment opportunities, but over 15 families remain in the fort. The Sakpal Naik family (the original 'killedars') still resides in one of the 16 houses in the fort. However, Dr Sarang Kulkarni's underwater discoveries have led to the establishment of the Indian sub-continent's only well-established scuba-diving industry. This has provided the local residents with some employment. Sindhudurg fort is a popular summer destination for Indian and foreign tourists to explore the island and go scuba-diving and snorkelling to view the coral reef on the outskirts of the island.

How to reach Sindhudurg

Sindhudurg Fort lies near Malvan in Sindudurg district to the north of Goa, about 490 km south of Mumbai (Bombay). Sindhudurg can be reached either by train or by bus from Mumbai, Goa and Mangalore. The nearest train station to the fort is Kudal Railway Station on Konkan Railway. Konkan Railway Station named Sindhudurg is actually situated in Oros (Sindhudurg District's capital). Kudal, Kanakvali and Sawantwadi are major railway stations in Sindhudurg district. There are Maharashtra state government (MSRTC) buses running from Mumbai, Pune, Ratnagiri, Sangli, Kolhapur and Goa state government buses (Kadamba Transport Corporation) running from Panaji, Madgaon, Vasco and Pernem to Sindhudurg. Nearest airport is Dabolim Airport in Goa, which is located at approx. 90 km away from Sawantwadi City (major tourist attraction) of Sindhudurg.

  • Detail of Sindhudurg fort wall
    Detail of Sindhudurg fort wall
  • West side of fort showing a small beach and a door in the wall for beach access
    West side of fort showing a small beach and a door in the wall for beach access
  • The Concealed Main Entrance Gate to The Fort
    The Concealed Main Entrance Gate to The Fort
  • The Main Entrance Gate to The Fort
    The Main Entrance Gate to The Fort

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sindhudurg Fort Location". Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  2. ^ "List of the protected monuments of Mumbai Circle district-wise" (PDF).
  3. ^ Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. p. 207. ISBN 978-9-38060-734-4.
Sindhudurg (SNDD)
Next 'Small' station towards Mumbai:
Kankavli 		Konkan Railway : Railway (India) Next 'Small' station from Mumbai:
Zarap
Distance from Mumbai (CST) = 612 km
Next 'Main' station towards Mumbai:
Ratnagiri 		Konkan Railway : Railway (India) Next 'Main' station from Mumbai:
Kudal
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