Vijaydurg Fort- The Eastern Gibraltar
Vijaydurg fort is one of the very important fort
build in the konkan region. Vijaydurg fort is located in devgad tehsil of sindhudurga
district. It was initially built by shilahar Raja bhoj second and it took 12
years to complete from 1193 to 1205, again it was reconstructed and redesigned by
the great Maratha warrior Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 17th
century. It is the oldest sea fort in the region and is surrounded by Arabian Sea
waters on 3 sides and land on other side. The surrounding region of the fort is
now well known for world famous devgad Alphonso mangoes. Vijaydurg fort gives a
very scenic view of the konkan coastline and the Arabian Sea. It can be visited
all around the year. There are not much stay available at vijaydurg fort, but
stay can be done at malvan or devgad. Many bus and other transports are
available to the fort and it is well connected with the road transport. Direct bus
is available from pune, Satara or Kolhapur to the vijaydurg.
The fort is spread in near 5 acres of land before. In
present time, the fort is spread in around 17 acres of land and shivray really
did redesigned fort with great strategies, he constructed 20 bastions on the
fort and also he extended the total area of the fort by building three walls on
the eastern side of the old fort.
This fort is also well knows by his another name as
the Eastern Gibraltar. Because of his great strategic buildings/constructions
and impregnable defence. There is was founded in the sea which was built by
chatrapati shivaji Maharaj in his times near the fort. The water near the fort
is shallow and big heavy ships of any other ruler cannot enter this water, if
they enter they will get hit by this wall built in the sea.
History
The fort was initially in the hands of adilshah, and
in that time the fort was named as gheria fort because of its near village near
girye. In year 1653, chatrapati shivaji Maharaj did capture on this fort and
started Maratha rule and renamed the fort as vijaydurg and did some
reconstructions. It was very important base for Maratha navy in that time.
After Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was captured by Mughal
emperor Aurangzeb, shambhuraje was brutally tortured for around a month by Mughals
and raje had a very inspiring and valiant death on 11th march 1689. This
shocked the whole Maratha Empire and because of the anger of how they treated Sambhaji
Maharaj, Marathas fought back with very great power and put Aurangzeb in
danger. After the death of the shambhuraje, Son of Maharani Soyrabai and
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Raja Ram Maharaj took in charge of the empire till
their death in the year 1700. In this times Admiral of the Maratha navy sarkhel
kanhoji angre made this fort their capital and maintained peace in the region. After
many discussions, kanhoji angre leaved tarabai’s side and joined Chatrapati Shahu
Maharaj at Satara. He was confirmed as command of the Maratha navy.
Around 90 to 100 years after many war fares for the
fort and region between many Maratha sardars, Maratha Navy came to an end with
the fall of vijaydurg fort. The fort has witnessed significant numbers of
victory and defeats and has seen the long history of many empires in the konkan
region and is one of the witness of all the marks. There is more to learn from
the fort than a book.
Nearist Tourist Places:
Devgad fort: Devgad fort of Marathas is
located at 30 km south from Vijaydurg village.
Kunkeshwar Temple: Kunkeshwar Mahadev temple is
nearly around 35 kn in south from the vijaydurg village.
Malvan: all time famous malvan time can be reached
in 73 km drive from vijaydurg fort by road.
Anganewadi Mandir: Anganewadi Temple is located near
malvan at 15 kms and it is 75 km from vijaydurg fort. it is known for aai
bharadi devi Mandir which is very famous in the region.
One can visit Mithbav beach, munage, vetye beach and
tondavale beach within the day, these are very much unexplored and very calm
clean beaches away from the tourists attention.
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