Murud Janjira
The famous fort of Janjira is located near the village of Murud in Raigad district of Maharashtra. The island fort derives its name from the Arabic word Jazirah which means an island and is located three kilometres deep inside the sea with the town of Alibaug to its South.
Surrounded by water from all the sides, Janjira is fortified by strong walls 40 feet in height which continue to withstand the brute force of the sea waves. The strategic location of the fort ensured that none of the invading forces could ever conquer it- not the Marathas, the Portuguese or the British.
The fishermen of the village of Murud also known as the kolis were the first to build a wooden structure on this island in the 15th century to protect themselves from the pirates. This structure was later captured and destroyed by Pir Khan, the general of the Nizamshah of Ahmednagar to make way for a strong impenetrable stone fort which was constructed by Buran Khan, a minister of the Nizam. Janjira was further fortified by Malik Ambar, the Abyssinian Siddi regent of the Ahmednagar kings.
In the years that followed, the Siddis chose to part ways with the Adilshahs as well as the Mughals and became an independent power. The backlash was strong from both the dynasties but not strong enough to defeat the Siddis and conquer the heavily fortified island fort. The great Maratha emperor, Shivaji Maharaj also tried to capture the fort on numerous occasions but failed every single time and so did his son, Sambhaji. The fort was unconquerable and its strong walls stand tall to this day to remind us why.
A fusion of Mughal and Gothic architecture, Janjira spreads across an area of 22 acres. One has to travel to the coastal village of Rajapuri to gain access inside the fort. A short boat ride from the village takes you to the main entrance of the fort. The fort which is about 40 feet high has 19 round porches, some of which still have cannons mounted on them. The main entrance of the fort also features a number of stone carvings and Persian inscriptions which cover the entrance walls. As you enter the fort, you notice a room like structure on the right side of the main entrance called ‘Peer Panchayatan’ which houses a few graves in the front yard. Walk down further along the coastline and you come across a stable from where you can see the three storied palace, the tallest structure inside the fort. The western side of the fort features a small door which was used as an emergency exit in the early years. Other highlights of the fort include the ruins of the mosque and the fresh water lake which is approximately 20 metres in diameter.
If you plan to visit Janjira, there are other interesting places in close vicinity of the fort which are worth exploring like the Janjira Caves and the Padmadurg fort. The latter was built by Shivaji to the north west of Janjira and hence offers a stunning view of the island fort. It is said that as Shivaji was unable to conquer Janjira, he decided to build this fort instead. The adjacent beaches of Nadgaon and Kashid are also worth watching.
FAQ’s:
How to get in?
You can take the Mahad route from Pune or drive down from Alibaug.
When to go?
Between September and May
Where to stay?
There are a number of hotels that provide decent accommodation in Murud.
Where to eat?
Being a coastal village, Murud has many restaurants that serve delicious sea food.
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