Sindhudurg
| Sindhudurg Fort | |
|---|---|
| सिंधुदुर्ग किल्ला | |
| Part of Maharashtra | |
| Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra | |
Sindhudurg fortress from the mainland.
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 Sindhudurg Fort
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| Coordinates | 16°02′31″N 73°27′36″E / 16.042°N 73.460°E |
| Type | Island fort |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Government of India |
| Controlled by |
 Maratha Empire Government of India (1947-) |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Website | http://www.sindhudurg.nic.in/ |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1664 |
| Built by | Hiroji Indalkar (architect) |
Sindhudurg Fort (Marathi सिंधुदुर्ग किल्ला) is a historical 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. It is a protected monument.
This fort was constructed by Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire. The main object was to counter rising influence of foreign colonizers (The English, Dutch, French and Portuguese merchants) and to curb the rise of Siddis of Janjira. The construction was done under the supervision of Hiroji Indalkar, in the year 1664..
Over 4000 mounds of lead 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 ―1667) , the sea fort is spread over 48acre,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 traveling 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.
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.
Sindhudurg town lies in the 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 Bombay, Goa and Mangalore. The Konkan railway has a railway station at Sindhudurg, but only few trains stop there. 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.
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