Vijaydurg Fort

Vijaydurg Fort
विजयदूर्ग किल्ला
Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra
Bastions of Vijaydurg fort
Vijaydurg Fort
Coordinates	16°33′39″N 73°20′00″E / 16.5607°N 73.3334°E / 16.5607; 73.3334
Type	Sea fort
Site information
Open to the public	Yes
Site history
Built	1193 (1193)
Built by	Bhoja II
Materials	Stone, Mortar

Battle of Vijaydurg
Storming of Gheria
Date Jan-Feb 1756 Location Vijaydurg Fort, Maharashtra, India Result British & Peshwa victory
Belligerents
Maratha Empire	East India Company Nanasaheb Peshwa
Commanders and leaders
Tulaji Angre	Admiral Watson Nanasaheb Peshwa
Strength
2000 men 250 cannons 200 ships	500 British marines 20 British ships 1000 Marathas under Peshwa
Casualties and losses
500+ men Tulaji Angre arrested Fort captured by British Marines	Nil

Vijaydurg (sometimes written as Viziadurg), the oldest fort on the Sindhudurg coast, was constructed during the regime of Raja Bhoja II of the Shilahar dynasty (construction period 1193-1205) and restructured by Shivaji Maharaj.

Earlier, the fort encompassed an area of 5 acres (1 acre = 4840 square yards or 4047 square metres) and was surrounded by sea on all four sides. Over the years the eastern trench was reclaimed and a road constructed thereon. Presently the area of fort is about 17 acres and is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides. Shivaji extended the area of the fort by constructing three walls on the eastern side, each 36 metres high. He also constructed 20 bastions.

According to legend, this is one of only two Maratha forts where Shivaji personally hoisted the saffron flag. The other fort is Torna.

Vijaydurg Fort was called the "Eastern Gibraltar", as it was virtually impregnable. Its locational advantages include the 40 km long Waghotan/Kharepatan creek. Large vessels cannot enter the shallow water of this creek. Also, Maratha warships could be anchored in this creek and yet remain invisible from the sea. It is a protected monument.

The name Vijaydurg comes from two words, "Vijay" meaning Victory and "Durg" meaning Fort. The fort was earlier known as "Gheria", as it is situated close to the village of "Girye". Shivaji captured this fort from Adil Shah of Bijapur in 1653 and renamed it as "Vijay Durg" as the then Hindu solar year's name was "Vijay" (Victory).

Vijaydurg fort is located at the tip of the peninsular region of Vijaydurg in Devgad Taluka, of district Sindhudurg. It is one of the several coastal forts on the western coast of Maharashtra, India. It is surrounded by water on three sides and connected to land through a narrow road. The port adjacent to the fort is a natural port and is still used by local fishermen.