A view of the Janjira fort from the top, courtesy Google Earth. This fort belonged to the 'Siddi' rulers - originally North African Muslims who came to India. Located a few hundred kilometers to the south of Mumbai this fort was never captured by the Marathas. The Maratha Empire (including their sea forts) extended to the south and north of this fort - but this fort remained out of their control. Finally it came into British hands in early 1800s when the Siddi state submitted under the system of subsidiary alliance and post indepence became part of Indian Union.
We approached this fort from the port of Dighi - the boat ride is about 30-40 mins.
Our first view from the boat.
A close-up and the grandeur of the fort is apparent.
The main entrance
Carvings on the walls adjoining the main entrance.
The fort has been standing in these waters for better part of 400 years now and all it has to show by way of structural damage (natural) is this - amazing!
The dilapitated palace structure
Look down the fort from near the palace structure. Palace structure is to the right and the main entrance is straight and left
View from top and one of the lakes
Another view from top and the second lake. The fort also has a well which has (believe it or not) sweet water bang in the middle of ocean!
This is at the sametime a beautiful photo and a sorry photo. Beautiful because it captures a large part of the fort in a single snap. Sorry because it also reflects the sorry state of the fort. This is a NATIONAL monument which means that it is to be protected and preserved - but there is hardly any protection. Around the fort there is nothing but wild shrubs. This is not how we ought to be treating our history.
The highest point of the fort, a canon and a magnificent view of the ocean
The structure seen in distance is a small fort built by the Marathas as a counter to this fort.
Looking towards the coast from top of the fort
View of the ships which carried us here from the coast
The three biggest canon's of the fort
A view of the 'buruj'. Even at high tide, the stone walls stand 40 feet tall! Again, there is hardly any structural damage due to the ocean water - and its been here for better part of 450 years!
A parting shot
The final shot. I leave hoping that there is something done about this fort. This fort is an undefeated fort. It has withstood numerous attacks from the Maratha's, the British and the Portugese - but it did not fall. Alas now its our neglect that could just prove its downfall and that would be a shame.
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