Sindhudurg Fort

Built by Chhatrapati Shivaji, the Sindhudurg Fort stretches over 48 acres. It is special not only for its encompassing beauty but for the smartness with which the entrance was designed in such a way that nobody could find it from the exterior.
The fascinating fort has 42 bastions and is surrounded by multiple smaller forts. There is also a temple within, dedicated to Shivaji Maharaj and the brave Maratha warriors who built such a clever, architectural wonder.

History

This fort was built by the Maratha ruler Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This fort was erected to counter rise the influence of the foreign rulers that is the Dutch, English, Portuguese, and French merchants, and to repress the rising of the Janjira and the Siddis. The reception of this fort was done under the guidance of Hiroji Indulkar in 1656. This fort is now a heritage site.

Architecture

Sindhudurg fort, located at a small islet surrounded by the boundless Arabian sea, was the main Maratha headquarters to prepare for wars, and battles and also to provide security to the Maratha people. The fort built on the orders of Shivaji took three years to complete with almost 100 architects from Portugal and a manpower of 3000. The fort is spread over an area of 48 acres with fortified walls, 12 ft thick and 29 ft high, stretching for 2 miles. Over 4000 mounds of iron were used in the casting and foundation stones were firmly laid down in lead.