• Jan 25 2016
• Admin
• 12
• 3332
• Travel

Vijaydurg Fort

The formidable structure of Vijaydurg — literally meaning ‘victory fort’ — once the naval headquarters of the Marathas, makes it quite a sight to behold. Sitting on the edge of the coast, the laterite fort is surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Vaghotan creek, sometimes also referred to as Vaghotan River, which opens up to the Arabian Sea.As one enters the fort, a pathway running along the main wall of Vijaydurg takes the visitor to the inner quarters. At the entrance of the quarters is a huge, open courtyard where a cannon and several cannonballs are on display.Turning left from the gate, a stone-built house meets the eye. It was once a khalbat-khana or a secret meeting room. A few steps from the khalbat-khana lead to the top of the fort wall. Once, one could walk along the wall and tour the entire premises. Now, a part of the wall has collapsed, and tourists are not allowed there.The bastion provides an incredible view of the road below, the Vaghotan creek, and a dock in the distance. One can see motorised fishing boats moving up the creek towards the estuary. To those who are familiar with the pages of history, these boats may be reminiscent of the Maratha gallivats and grabs which could collectively attack large Portuguese ships.After coming down from the bastion, the ammunition depot is the next spot to check out. There is also the courthouse of Kanhoji Angre, the great Maratha naval admiral for whom Vijaydurg had served as a station for military troops. A tunnel originates nearby, connecting this part of the fort to another.There are other minor structures one can look forward to. There’s the Rani Mahal, a tank that could store fresh water in case of a prolonged siege, a soundproof council hall, a two-storied warehouse and a shrine dedicated to goddess Bhavani, the beloved deity of Shivaji and his followers.Recent excavations have also led to the discovery of huge underwater stone structures on the western side of the fort. They are believed to have been built by the Marathas so that no ship could come too close to the fort, making it almost impregnable.

The fort has been a witness to major events in Maratha history, and the still-intact gun emplacements and cannonballs are a reminder of how the past still lingers in the nooks and crannies of Vijaydurg.