Murud-Janjira Fort

Murud-Janjira Fort Latest News

Months after being closed during the monsoon for safety and cleaning work, the historic Murud Janjira Fort in Maharashtra’s Raigad district has finally reopened to visitors recently.

About Murud-Janjira Fort

• It is an island fort located on an island off the coastal village of Murud, in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. 
• It is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on all sides and is one of the strongest marine forts of India.  

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Murud-Janjira Fort History

• The history of Murud Janjira Fort dates back to the 15th century, when the Siddi rulers established a powerful naval base along Maharashtra’s western coast.
• The Siddis were the rulers of Murud-Janjira. They were people of African origin who had come to India many centuries ago. 
• The name “Janjira” is believed to have originated from the Arabic word “Jazeera,” meaning island.
• Initially constructed as a small wooden fort by local fishermen, it was later rebuilt into a massive stone fortress under the Siddis. 
• The fort’s strategic location on the bustling maritime trade route connecting Broach, Daman, Diu, and Mangalore made it a vital hub for commerce and military operations. 
• Over the centuries, Siddi alignment with Mughals provoked conflict with local kings, including Shivaji and his son Sambhaji, who attempted to scale the walls and tunnel to it, respectively. 
• However, no outsider (including British, French, and Portuguese colonists) ever made it past the fort’s 12 m-high granite walls, which, when seen during high tide, seem to rise straight from the sea. 
• Despite numerous attempts, its defenses remained unbreached, earning it the moniker “Unconquerable Janjira.” 

Murud-Janjira Fort Architecture

• The structure is built on a rock outcrop and has 26 massive bastions and high protective walls.
• The fort was made by a mixture of lead, sand, and gul. 
• The main gate of the fort facing Rajapuri on the shore is a huge structure. There is a small gate towards the open sea to escape from the enemies. 
• Once it stood firm and robust in defence with 572 roaring cannons, only a few of the large cannons remain in place today, and the largest of them is known as the Kalaal Bangdi. 
• Earlier the fort was a full-fledged living place with all the necessary facilities like palaces, quarters for officers, a mosque, two small 18 m natural freshwater lakes, etc. 
• There is also a deep well with cold and sweet water, a wonder of nature in the midst of the sea.  

News: MD