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Malvan has got very nice sea-shore. But it is mainly known for
famous "Sindhudurg fort".
History
Behind The Sindhudurga Fort.
The coastal
region saw hectic activities around 1600 AD. The British as well
as Portuguese persist in their intimidator tactics. To reign in
their forces and to keep Khem Sawant under control , Shivaji came
to Malvan via Nerur par. He realized that the best way to keep the
trouble & make in check to enemy, they had to fortify the defense
of the coastal region. During the visit to Malvan, he came across
a small Island called ‘Kurte’. Shivaji was highly impressed
by the sight as thought of constructing a fort there. The work on
the project start on 25th Nov 1664.
Janbhatt Abhyankar & his nephew
Janbhatt Bin Pilambhatt Upadhye were commissioned to do the job.
As the story goes, two priests, first they decline to carry out
the work due to fear of Adilshahi rulers. But finally yielded ,
when the king Shivaji promised that they had nothing to fear
from any quart as that he had decided to station himself in the
area. A sculptures of Sun, Moon, Shri Ganesh, Shiv lingam, Nandi
(Bullock) were drawn on the rock, near to Dandi. The religious
part of the function was done front to the same rock called
‘Moryacha Dhonda’. Shivaji spent a couple of days in area
after foundation laying ceremony.
After the death of Shivaji,
Sambhaji & then Rajaram succeeded the throne respectively. On
Rajaram’s death, A cleavage ensured in the relationship between
Shahu & Tarabai. Rani Tarabai entrusted to defence of Konkan coast
to the upcoming Kanhoji Angre. But Angre struck a deal with Shahu
entrusting the coastal defense to him.
In
1731, by a treaty between Shahu & Sambhaji raje Bhosale, Malvan –Panhala
belt came under Bhosale. Bhosale strted to control Sindhudurga.
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British, as per their policy , tried to play Peshave against Angre.
After the latter’s defeat, with the help of Peshave’s , British
tried to gain the strength in the coastal region. Their ships
traveled in konkan region for trades. They, however, had to face
opposition from local Sardar. British force with major Godson &
captain Watson capture the fort in1765 & renamed it ‘Augustus’
Kolhapurkar
rulers Jijabai could not stand this ignominy & under a treaty
signed on January, 12, 1766 . bought the fort from British for Rs
7 Lakhs & some land. British were allowed to trade through the
area. The locals viz. Kolis & Bhandaris restarted harassing the
British traders. So they recaptured the fort in 1772. Thereby
strengthening
On 1st
October, 1812 , six month prior to the end of Peshave rule,
British again attacked the fort & made goods with whatever
documents & articles of Shivaji’s period they could lay their
hands on. On 27th , October 1910 , The government
declared the fort as protected area.
At present the
fort is in the care of Archeological department. In 1962 , the
then Chief Minister, Shri Y. B. Chavan visited to the fort and
announced a donation of Rs 90,000/- to repair the damage. In July
2002, a part of the wall admeasuring 10 meters in length & 8
meters in height gave way. The repairs were carried out with the
help of the amount of 10 lakhs contributed by Mr Suresh Prabhu
from MP’s funds. & another Rs 50 lakhs by Shivsena leaders.
Today this historical monument is in
dilapidated stage
Construction of
Sindhudurga Fort.
Considering direction
of the wind & force of the rain water, it was decided to start
work of the fort from southern end. But as a plinth level came to
about 25 ft., the boulders stones clashed down. All efforts to
mend matters proved futile. It was then decided to take resort to
British Godam of Rajapur. From where 500 Khandis of lead were
bought, melted & sprayed at the base of the rampart. Near 4000
workers & 100 Portuguese toiled at the site under the vigil of
5000 Mavals (loyal). The stones of boulders required for the work
were brought from far away Phonda & Amboli. The workers were
staying in Devli & Kumbharmath areas.
The
circumference of the fort measured near about 3 Kms. The fort
built on 48 acres of land, Known as ‘Kurte island’. For
construction of fort they decided to use lime for joining huge
stones of boulders. Multiple tones of lime was necessary. The task
of collecting various kinds of shells from Nivati to Kalawali belt
was entrusted to poor labors in the region. A conch opening on the
right side which was found in the pile & which was considered
auspicious was ceremonially presented to the king. Crushers were
put into operation to crush the pile. For this job, bullocks were
specially brought from Ghat area. The fortified nature of the
entire construction could be seen from the fact. After every
boulder, a basket of lime (Caustic Alkaline Substance) mixture was
used. The height of side walls were raised depending on the
strength of the wind.
The fort has 52
bastions. The fort barrier of the entrance is so skillfully made
that the outsiders wanting to enter the fort does not come to know
the existence. The entrance barrier (the main gate) made of the
hardest type of wood (oomber), is 9 ft in height & 3.5 ft in
width. Above that is Nagarkhana (built by Shahu) where drums were
played to naval important events. The main barricade leads between
two bastions. The left side bastion is 20 ft in height & the right
one is 40 ft in height. To beat the force of the waves, shivaji
had constructed 3 mighty defense walls parallel to foundation of
fort.
The zigzag defense wall of the fort is
between eight & ten feet in width. To maneuver the fort as well as
war materials two subsidiary fortress were built to the south of
the entrance. Two watch towers were also constructed within a
distance of half a mile. Elaborated & concealed arrangement are
noticeable along the wall to ensure the rapid movement of the
materials. Although Kurte island is rocky area surrounded by sea
water there are four sweet water wells in the fort. Three of them
are known as Dudh Bav (Milk Well), Dahi Bav (Curd Well) & Sakhar
Bav (Sugar well), All of them had sweet water even though island
is surrounded by sea water is veritable miracle in the fort.
During Shivaji’s days, there were about 150 houses inside the
fort. On western side of the fort there is dungeon (Subterranean
place of confinement) for prisoners. More than a dozen water
closets are also provided for the use of the people. In order to
safety of the residency in rainy season, the slope of the inner
floor in the fort inclined toward the defense wall. In addition
with 50 ft watch tower to the south there is also a flag post
stands. It is said that in old days a flag was hoisted on the
height of 228 ft. The concept of the fort construction is
entirely Shivaji’s thought. Hiroji Indulkar supervised the entire
work. A dome shaped construction on north sided rampart of the
fort contain impression of Shivaji’s right hand & left foot. The
home warning was performed on Friday, March 29, 1667 where Shivahi
was present. A small palace was also constructed in the fort for
stay of Shivaji.
Shivaji’s
temple is the main temple in the fort. It is only one of its type
in the country. This temple was built by Rajaram which was
extended with construction of outer hall by Shahu. It has an idol
of Shivaji seen without beard & mustache. The legend behind this
idol says that Rajaram requested Shivaji & draw a portrait after
the death of Shivaji’s mother, Jijabai. That time as a customary
Shivaji shaved off his beard & mustache. With this portrait
Rajaram ordered an idol to sculpt.
The fort has a
Shiv temple known as Amriteshwar temple. A little ahead from the
Shiv temple there is a Bhavani temple with Goddess Bhavani idol
installed in Madev temple also has a shiv lingam installed in it.
A legend has at that there is an underground tunnel in the fort to
effect emergency exits. To escape attack from Shahu , Tarabai came
to the fort Sindhudurga in 1706.
The dry area in
south is only an opening to the fort known as ‘Ranichi vel’, where
Tarabai used to bathe.. Because of the sea water all around the
land inside the fort is unsuitable for cultivation. Only
vegetables re grown there. The land now mostly belongs to private
owners. There are some 300-400 coconut trees at present. One such
tree with twin branches , indeed , stands out. In July 2002, a
part of the wall admeasuring 10 meters in length & 8 meters in
height gave way. Today Sindhudurga fort has only 10 houses having
some 20 people.
Location & Tips For Tourist
Fort is just 1 Km away
from Malvan jetty. Small safety boats with outboard machines are
used for public transportation. Maximum 20 tourist can be adjusted
in a boat. Ticket fare is Rs 27 for adult & 14 Rs for Child
including return journey. 1 hr is given to the tourist for
excursion in the fort.
The
boat ride to the fort is quite playful, but it is easier if you
are visiting during tourist season from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. daily.
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