Information on Padmadurg Fort (Raigad, Maharashtra) - History & Architecture

Padmadurg Fort is a huge Island fort built by the Maratha Empire. It is 338 years old and in very good condition and eco friendly fort for tourist. This is one of the strongest and greatest fortifications of the Marathas and stood as the naval command over the Arabian Sea. This for is of historical and cultural influence from the 17th century AD in the Maratwad province. This fort was also used as cell in the 19th century. It is located near the Malvan Jetty which is very near to reach by the Sea. This is in the Raighad District of Maharashtra State in India.

Padmadurg Fort Architecture

Padmadurg Fort is built on the traditional India fort pattern found in the medieval era. This is also said to be built in the same model of the nearby located Janjira fort built by the Siddhi's Dynasty. This fort is built by the sea rock debris's, granite stones and limes stone as the bonding paste. It was built as a defensive fort o the sea and many artillery and look out points are taken care in its construction. It cover the 43,650 square yards of land mass of this island. This fortification is built in uneven shape, since it has covered the entire surface areas as was found naturally here. It walls are much stronger and has many turret and artillery gaps left over on these walls. It does have many watch holes on these walls. This fort has 6 strong bastions, which are in cylindrical shape all around its fortifications. On the top of its fortification, nearly 100 cannon were placed as defensive towards the sea from all directions. Presently there are only 40 cannons found here. Inside this fortress there are many structures found, which were used as various purpose in those days. There is a main courtyard found here, which is a two storied building. This must be the living area for the Maratha general. There are many other small and large structures used as the granaries and store rooms for weapons. This has a very good garrison area and 1000 of armed personal can be accommodated here. Inside this fort there is a cistern, it was the major source of fresh water inside this fort. A walk able stretch of land was there from the Dhandi Shore but it was completely washed away in the 2004 Indonesian Tsunami waves. Now the fort surroundings are found in a 20 meter depth sea waters.

Padmadurg Fort History

Padmadurg Fort is also called the Kasa or Kansa Fort locally here. The Kansa is the name of the citadel rock in which this fort was laid its foundations. This fort was built by the Maratha King Shivaji in the year 1676 AD. This island fort was the 5th Fort to build under him before his death. It was the time when the SIddhi's of the Janjira's were becoming very strong in the naval base o Konkan sea fronts. He built this island fort to defeat the Siddhis by the sea and to control these costal areas under the Maratha province. This fort was totally submerged in the 2004 tsunami. But no damages have happened to this fort by the Tsunami waves. Currently many renovation works were made by the archeological department, since it's comes under the protected monument act.

Padmadurg Fort Tourism Importance

Padmadurg Fort is one of the defensive island forts worth to see. This fort has withstood the Tsunami wave's occurred in the year 2004. A panoramic view of sun set along the Arabian Sea can be seen from here. This is a local picnic place for the Mumbaities and a heritage tourist site in Maharashtra.