Murud Janjira
Murud Janjira is a fort and tourist attraction located on an island just off the coastal town of Murud in Raigad district of the state of Maharashtra, India.
The fort was originally just a wooden structure built in the 15th century by Kolis (local fisherman) to live peacefully away from the threat of pirates.Later it was captured by the Ahmednagar Sultanate of southern India.In 1567 a solid rock fortress was built by Malik Ambar, a regent of the Sultanate who was of Abyssinian descent.
Susequently the fort was lost to the Sidis, a unique tribe of African ancestory, who originally came to the Indian subcontinent through the slave trade or as merchants,sailors or mercenaries.
Due to its strategic location on a bustling maritime trade route, Murud Janjira fort was throughout its chequered history coveted by various powers like the Marathas,The Mughals or the Portuguese.The Marathas under Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj made several attempts to capture it but failed.
The fort is built on an oval shaped rock, off the Arabian Sea coast near the town of Murud, 165 kms south of Mumbai.It is considered one of the strongest coastal forts of India.The main gate of the fort can be seen when one is only about 40 feet away from it.It has 26 artillery towers which are still intact, some of them with ancient rusting canons.In its heydey, the fort had all facilities including barracks, quarters for officers, a mosque, 2 fresh water ponds and also a palace for the Nawabs which is still in pretty good shape.
The fort is now a tourist attraction and can be visited by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty.A slightly precarious journey but well worth the effort.
The fort might be visible better in large.
Murud Janjira
Murud Janjira is a fort and tourist attraction located on an island just off the coastal town of Murud in Raigad district of the state of Maharashtra, India.
The fort was originally just a wooden structure built in the 15th century by Kolis (local fisherman) to live peacefully away from the threat of pirates.Later it was captured by the Ahmednagar Sultanate of southern India.In 1567 a solid rock fortress was built by Malik Ambar, a regent of the Sultanate who was of Abyssinian descent.
Susequently the fort was lost to the Sidis, a unique tribe of African ancestory, who originally came to the Indian subcontinent through the slave trade or as merchants,sailors or mercenaries.
Due to its strategic location on a bustling maritime trade route, Murud Janjira fort was throughout its chequered history coveted by various powers like the Marathas,The Mughals or the Portuguese.The Marathas under Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj made several attempts to capture it but failed.
The fort is built on an oval shaped rock, off the Arabian Sea coast near the town of Murud, 165 kms south of Mumbai.It is considered one of the strongest coastal forts of India.The main gate of the fort can be seen when one is only about 40 feet away from it.It has 26 artillery towers which are still intact, some of them with ancient rusting canons.In its heydey, the fort had all facilities including barracks, quarters for officers, a mosque, 2 fresh water ponds and also a palace for the Nawabs which is still in pretty good shape.
The fort is now a tourist attraction and can be visited by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty.A slightly precarious journey but well worth the effort.
The fort might be visible better in large.