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Suvarnadurg Fort

Suvarnadurg Fort

heritage site · Maharashtra

State
Maharashtra
Type
Heritage Site

Suvarnadurg is an 8-acre island sea fort near Harnai in Ratnagiri district's Konkan region, about 1.6 km offshore, reachable only by boat and known as a key Maratha naval base and shipbuilding centre.

Suvarnadurg Fort is known for

Maratha naval baseKanhoji Angre's fleet headquartersisland fort near Harnaidry moat and twin gatesboat-access-only fort

A short history

Shivaji Maharaj established the fort in 1660 as a defensive position against European colonists and rival regional powers. The fort is encircled by a dry moat and has two gates, along with bastions, two granaries, ammunition magazines and fifteen old cannons. From 1696, Admiral Kanhoji Angre based his fleet at Suvarnadurg, receiving formal control of it in 1713. After Kanhoji's death, his son Tulaji commanded the fort until 1755, when British forces under Commodore William James captured it after a 48-hour siege. British control was fully established by 4 December 1818. [Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suvarnadurg]

Why Suvarnadurg Fort matters

As a base of Admiral Kanhoji Angre's fleet, Suvarnadurg represents a key node of the Maratha navy's control over the west coast and its resistance to European colonial maritime power.

When to go

October to May, best November to February

How to reach

Khed railway station is about 40 km away; Dapoli, roughly 15 km from Harnai, is the nearest major town, with a short boat ride (10-15 minutes) from Harnai to the island.

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