Sindhudurg Fort is a historical fort in an island of the Arabian Sea, just off the coast of Maharashtra.
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.
One can take a ferry from Malvan coast at INR 50/- or less to make a 15 minute ride on a boat.
Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a sprawling fort that covers a whopping 48 acres of land. And trust me, the only way to enter is by finding the secret entrance that’s hidden away. It’s like a real-life treasure hunt! But once you do find it, you’ll be transported back in time to witness the Maratha foresight and resourcefulness that went into constructing this magnificent fort.
Now, if you’re a history buff like me, you’ll appreciate the fact that the Sindhudurg Fort was built by none other than the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji. And let me tell you, this guy really knew what he was doing. The fort’s construction utilized the natural protection of the surrounding rocks to create an impregnable barrier against any enemy forces.
But what really stands out about this fort is its unyielding construction style. Can you believe that the foundation of this mighty building was laid down in lead? Yes, you read that right – lead! And the main material used to build the fort was sand from Gujarat. Talk about utilizing indigenous materials to the best of their properties!
As you wander around the fort, you’ll come across 42 bastions and several smaller forts such as the Padmagad, Rajkot, and Sarjekot Fort. And don’t forget to visit the small temple dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji, who, by the way, has a unique painting of himself without his iconic mustache. I mean, who knew the great Shivaji could pull off a clean-shaven look?
Now, here’s a little fun fact for you – as many as 23 Hindu and Muslim families still inhabit the bounds of the fort. So, it’s like a little town inside the fort, which is pretty cool if you ask me.
The walls of the Sindhudurg Fort stand 30 feet high and 12 feet thick, making it practically impossible to scale. And if that wasn’t enough, the walls have zig-zag patterns that house numerous pillars and bastions. It’s like a real-life maze!
So, if you are anywhere near Malvan coast, do not miss this fort !
recommended nearby places
Sarjekot Fort
Sarjekot, situated in Malvan is on the coast. Located on the mouth of Talashil Estuary, Sarjekot boasts of natural safe…
