Padmadurg

Padmadurg, also known as Kasa fort, is one of five historical sea forts built by Shivaji and located in Raigad District Maharashtra, India. It was built by Marathas to challenge another seaport Janjira which was controlled by Siddis.

History

Padmadurg is one of the sea forts built by Maratha King Shivaji Maharaj in 1676 in order to control the activities in Arabian sea. It is located in the northwest direction of the Janjira fort at a distance of about 4 km.[1] During cleanup activities in 2012, ASI authorities found around 250 cannonballs of historical value.

The sea fort of Padmadurg is not as big as Janjira but still the fort can be visited and enjoyed. Visiting the fort requires taking permission from the Customs/Navy. The fort was not only a part of Sindhudurg's defenses but was also Shivaji Maharaj's main ship construction yard. This fort can also be viewed from Janjira. There was a belt of land from Dandi seashore to Padmadurga but it got blown away under the water in 2004.

This fort can be accessed by boats. Boats are mainly available from Murud-Koliwada.

Restoration

The fort is included in the protected monuments list of Archaeological Survey of India, but as on 2011, the fort and the area is in neglected state and ASI is unable take restoration work for want of resources.[1] During cleanup activities in 2012, ASI authorities found around 250 cannonballs of historical value.[2] When Shivaji Maharaj decided to take on the Siddis of Janjira, his admiral, Daulat Khan, built this fort on an island next to Janjira. The rock, on which the fort was built, was called Kasa and the fort was named Padmadurg. The fort has six bastions.

The fort lay between the Sindhudurga and the coast, and featured a dry dock - a narrow tongue of water between two rock walls. It is also said that there was an underground way to sindhudurga fort.

There are no direct boat fares to the fort as a result of which the visitors have to hire a personal boat.

Maharaj had said about it that,"By constructing Padmadurga he set up another Rajpuri to overshadow the Rajpuri of the Siddis."

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References
  1. Madaan, Neha (8 May 2011). "Padmadurg in shambles for want of money". The Times of India, Pune. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  2. "Over 250 old cannon balls were discovered by archaeological officials at Padmadurg Fort near Murud, Raigad district. Further research and investigation is on in this regard". The Times of India. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2015.

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