Information on Vijaydurg Fort (Sindhudurg, Maharashtra) - History & Architecture

Vijaydurg Fort is a massive sea shore fort found in Sindhudurg. It is 821 years old great fort in found in very good conditions after witnessing many battles in its long standing history. It is a beautiful tourist spot located at Devgad Taluka, Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra State in India.

Vijaydurg Fort Architecture

Vijaydurg Fort is built in the traditional fort forms found in the ancient times. This fort area was added with more structures by its later conquerors and presently it looks like a complete fort. It occupies 5 acres of shore land surface, surrounded by three sides with silent ocean waters. The water front's nearing its land masses is blocked by strong walls along with sea rocks stones. This fort is made up of laterite stone blocks. Its roofs are covered with stone slabs and with clay tiles. It has got a very high raised ramparts varying up to 20-30 feet in height. These ramparts have many large bastions. Its main gate named Mahadarwaza is in between toe cylindrical bastion, making it stronger on the entrance. There are two secrete passages under this fort, one of this leads to the sea and is not yet explored after the 20the century. It has got unique underground passage within the fort areas so as the reach the sea front immediately from the inner complexes. This was a defensive fort and had many turret places to keep cannon and may look out gaps are there to vigil purposes. Inside this fort there are many beautiful complexes built here. It has a main palace, which were the main living areas. There is a separate queen's palace built here. It is a 3 storied edifice with many designed windows and doors on it. A strong weapon house is found in the name of Darukhuttau in a remote place near by the waters. A large and spacious Darbar house is built with many pillar supported roof here. This might be used as the main courtyard. There is also an administrative house and separate rest rooms for its soldiers built here. A traditional Hindu temple is found here on the open lands, which is very cute to look. A large rectangular tank is built her to cater the needs of fort use by its residents.

Vijaydurg Fort History

Vijaydurg Fort is built around 1193 AD by Bhoja Raja II of the Shilahar Kingdom. He named this fort as Gheria Killa. Later this fort was occupied by the Bijapur Dynasty. In the year 1653 this fort was captured by the Maratha King Shivaji by defeating the Adil Sha's force. The Marathas used this fort as the naval base in this sea beds. This fort is well known for its ballet of Vijadurg. There are still traces of cannon firing in its main walls all around its fortification. After the death of Shivaji Maharaj, the Peshwas of Maratha ruled over these areas, they were the minor clans of the Maratha kingdom. In the year 1818 AD the British East India Company attacked this fort and brought it in their control. This was done to have a control of its trade through the sea routs here. Till independence this fort was under British India. Currently this is a protected monument, well maintained by the archeological department.

Vijaydurg Fort Tourism Significance

Vijaydurg Fort is a one of the great costal fortress to be visited once in Maharashtra. This is an ancient fort found in very good condition. A complete fort model of defensive and residential structures can be found here. It has got the panoramic view of the silent sea front on its west side.