Information about the JANJIRA FORT.
"Waterfort" means Jal Durga situated on an island which is surrounded by water from all sides. The most important Jal Durga to the West of Maharashtra standing strongly in the see is JANJIRA.
HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE.
The "Medhekot" means "Army Camp" was built by fisherman from Konkan as they realized importance of this island. Nizamshahi Sardar Pirramkhan knew that this fort is difficult to aquire by battle, so he decided to make a false friendship with the king of fisherman and acquired this camp by fraud.
Further in the period of 1567 to 1571A.D. a strong fort was built here. His Arabian name was Jazier Mehrub and from this name it was recognized by the name Janjira. Siddi's rule started here from 1617 A. D.
It was strong wish of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to get on Janjira. For this he and later Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj took great efforts, but all went in vain. Janjira got free after only after India got freedom.
In the period of Shivaji, Laypatil of Alibag had an adventurous try. Ladders were placed against the walls of the fort at one dark night, but Maratha army which was supposed to come, could not come and these efforts went in vain. But Shivaji realized and appreciated the courage of brave Laypatil and his honour he built a Ship named Palkhi for him.
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj also had a strong will to win Janjira. For that he made a wonderful plan to build a bridge (setu) : of big rocks from see coast to the fort and then to attack. But this plan also had to be left halfway because of the attacks on Swaraj by Aurangajeb.
Thus was the unconquerable Janjira. Among the strong fortifications of nineteen bastions, there are three dangerous and huge cannons named Kalal Bangadi, Chauri and Landa Kasam. In addition to these, there are 100 to 150 small cannons here.
In the fort, there are many lakes. There is a sculpture carved in the stone at the gate of the fort in which one tiger is shown to have caught six elephants, one each in its four paws, its tail and its mouth There is no doubt that Janjira, one of the most beautiful sculpture water - fort was well known for having a strong hold on western sea.
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