The Murud Janjira Fort is not as strong as it used to be, but this is one of the reasons to visit the Raigad district in Maharashtra, India . The fort was built in the late 17th century, but some sources state that its history can be traced back to the 1100s. At that time, this fort functioned as a stronghold for the Siddis (a tribe of African-Pakistani descent) who were powerful naval and military commanders in the region.
Uniquely, this island fort is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on all sides. The structure of the building is sturdy as if it could not be penetrated. So, it is almost impossible to conquer this fort. And indeed, in its history, this fort has never been conquered by outside forces. The fort changed hands only after it was handed over to the Indian government post-independence from British rule in 1947.
This fort was built on an oval-shaped rock and is spread over an area of approximately 22 hectares. As expected of a military fort, its defensive ramparts, cannons and strategically designed entrances are quite impressive. It definitely looked tough in the eyes of the enemy.
There is only one entrance to the fort. It goes through a large gate decorated with writing in Arabic. Inside the fort, there are remains of a medieval mosque, palace, granaries and soldiers’ quarters. The palace is the residence of Siddi Nawab.
Murud Janjira Fort is open to the public. For those interested in history, this fort is a must visit. Because it is surrounded by water on all sides, there is only one entrance, and tourists can reach it by boat from the coastal town of Murud.
The boat ride is very exciting and offers stunning views of the Murud fort and coastal landscape. Boat/ferry trips to Murud Janjira Fort can vary from INR 50 (Rp 9500) to 300 (Rp 57 thousand), depending on the size of the boat. Entry to this fort is free, but if you want to explore the fort, it takes two hours to do so. This fort is open every day from 07.00. to 6:30 p.m.
Source : Tempo.co