Sindhudurg

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Sindhudurg fortress from the mainland.

Sindhudurg(Marathi सिंधुदुर्ग) is a fortress which occupies an islet in the Arabian Sea, just of the coast of Maharashtra in western India. The fortress lies on the shore of Malvan town of Sindhudurg District in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, south of Mumbai.

1 History
2 Structural details
3 Permanent Residents
4 Image Gallery
5 See also
6 External links

Sindhudurg (Sindhu = sea, Durg = fort) was built by the great Maratha warrior leader Shivaji in 1664. Shivaji selected the strategic rocky island location, 'Kurte' for the fort himself, to counter foreign forces, and to keep the nearby Siddis of Murud-Janjira in check. Shivaji himself was one of the 6000 skilled construction workers on this massive maritime fort project.

Entrance to the fort and main watch tower

The Watch Tower facing the sea

Over 4000 mounds of iron were used in the casting and foundation stones were firmly laid down in lead.The construction was started on November 25, 1664. Built over a period of three years, the sea fort is spread over 48 acres with a two-mile long rampart ,and walls that are 30 feet high and 12 feet thick. The massive walls were designed to serve as a deterrent to approaching enemies and to the waves and tides of the Arabian Sea.The main entrance is concealed in such a way that no one can pinpoint it from outside.Taral

At a time when Samudragaman (travelling by sea) was banned by scriptures,this construction on an island represents the revolutionary mind of its builder.

Since the fort was abandoned, the number of permanent residents staying in the fort are on decline. However, since Dr. Sarang kulkarni's discoveries lead to commence of Indian Sub-continents only well established Scuba diving industry. Though most of the residents have been moved out due to absence of employment opportunities. Totay, more than 15 families stay in the fort, though with very little other employment opportunies but the underwater treasure around the fort discovered by Dr. Sarang kulkarni, today enable the local residents to earn more than $15 (Around Rs. 420). Today, Sindhudurg Fort is the popular destination amongst tourists from within India and abroad.