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Sindhudurg Fort, Malvan Overview
Sindhudurg Fort is an ancient fort situated in one of the islands of Arabian Sea, near to Malvan town in Konkan Region. The fort is built over an area of about 48 acres with its humongous walls guarding it against the fierce waves of the sea. The most fascinating aspect of the fort is its entrance. The gateway of the fort is constructed in such a manner that nobody can identify it out from outside.
It was constructed by Chhatrapati Shivaji and has immense strategic importance. One of the few remains of the Maratha Empire, this castle symbolizes the fearless attitude of the Marathas. The rocky terrain around this structure provides natural protection to the fort. In addition to its historical significance, the region is also known for its scenic beauty hence, making it one of the popular weekend destinations for the residents of Pune and Mumbai.
The place resonates with a perfect blend of nature and history and hence, is mostly visited by those who keep a keen interest in history and nature. The forces of nature have not been able to challenge the sturdiness of the fort as most parts of the forts are still intact. This structure was built in a unique way with the foundation laid down in lead and the surrounding rocky terrain acting as a shield against the enemies.
There are around 42 bastions in Sindhudurg Fort which are still standing tall and are in shape. The fortress is also surrounded by other smaller establishments such as Sarjekot Fort, Padmagad Fort and Rajkot Fort. A beautiful temple devoted to Shivaji Maharaj is also built within the fort premises.
More on Sindhudurg Fort
History of Sindhudurg Fort
Sindhudurg Fort was built under the supervision of Chhatrapati Shivaji by an architect named Hirojee Indulkar in 1664. The main motive behind the construction of this fort was to provide protection to the residents of the Maratha Empire from the rising assault of foreign powers including British, Dutch, Portuguese and French and to confine the activities of Siddis of Janjira.
The fort was annexed by the British forces in later years and was renamed as Fort Augustus. A treaty was signed between the British and Marathas in 1792 according to which the fort was to be officially handed over to the British Empire. The rich history along with picturesque views will surely mesmerize to a great extent.
Architecture of Sindhudurg Fort
The architecture of Sindhudurg Fort represents a marvellous work of engineering of Medieval India. Spread over an area of about 48 acres, the fort was built using the best raw materials available during that era. The foundation was laid down in hundreds of kilograms of lead and sand was brought from Gujarat in order to build the fort.
The complex is surrounded by massive impenetrable walls which is 12 feet thick and 30 feet tall. The entrance of the fort is hard to identify for any outsider, thereby, making it impossible for the enemies to trespass the fort. One of the fascinating aspects of this fort is the zig-zag formation of the walls and the presence of many bastions. It also houses a beautiful painting of Chhatrapati Shivaji without his moustache. To date, around 23 Muslim and Hindu families reside in the close proximity of this fort.
How to reach Sindhudurg Fort?
The fort is situated on an island amidst the blue waters of the mighty Arabian Sea; therefore, the only way to reach the fort is by ferry. The ferries are readily available on the Malvan Coast and the fare for the same is around INR37.
