Janjira Fort

Origins of the name

The word Janjira is not native to India, and may have originated after the Arabic word Jazeera, which means an island. Murud was once known in Marathi as Habsan ("of Habshi" or Abyssinian). The name of the fort is a concatenation of the Konkani and Arabic words for Island, "morod" and "jazeera". The word "morod" is peculiar to Konkani and is absent in Marathi.

History

 Janjira State

During its heyday the island fort boasted having 572 cannons. Visitors can gain access to the Janjira fort from Rajapuri, a small village on the coast. After a short ride in a small boat, one can enter the fort through the main entrance. The fort is oval shaped instead of the usual oblong or square shape. The fort wall is about 40 feet high and has 19 rounded porches or arches, some of which still have cannons mounted on them, including the famous cannon Kalaal Baangadi. These cannons were largely responsible for repelling oncoming enemies from the sea. Inside the fort walls are the ruins of a mosque, a palace and bath with water channeled from streams, evidence that royal ladies occupied the quarters. A deep well, still functional, provides fresh water despite the fort being surrounded by salt water. On shore is a luxurious cliff-top mansion, the Palace of the Nawab. Built by the former Nawab of Janjira, itcommands a panoramic view of the Arabian sea and the Janjira sea fort.

 Major features

Fort Murud-Janjira paintings from the 17th century in the Mughal.Kalak Bangadi, 3rd Largest Cannon in India At Janjira Fort, weighing over 22 TonsMurud-Janjira Fort is situated on an oval-shaped rock off the Arabian Sea coast near the port town of Murud, 165 km (103 mi) south of Mumbai. Janjira is considered one of the strongest marine forts in India. The fort is approached by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty. The main gate of the fort faces Rajapuri on the shore and can be seen only when one is about 40 feet (12 m) away from it. It has a small postern gate towards the open sea for escape. 

The fort has 26 rounded bastions, still intact. There are many cannons of native and European make rusting on the bastions. Now in ruins, the fort in its heyday was a full-fledged living fort with all the necessary facilities, e.g., palaces, quarters for officers, mosque, two small 60-foot-deep (18 m) natural fresh water lakes, etc.On the outer wall flanking the main gate, there is a sculpture depicting a tiger-like beast clasping elephants in its claws. 

The sculpture on the main gate

The palace of the Nawabs of Janjira at Murud is still in good shape.A special attraction of this fort are 3 gigantic cannons named Kalalbangdi, Chavri and Landa KasamThese cannons were said to be feared for their shooting range. Another gate to the west is sea-facing, called 'Darya Darwaza'. There is also another fortress, named Ghosalgad, which is located on top of the hill around 32 km (20 mi) east of Murud-Janjira, that was used as outpost for the rulers of Janjira.

To end I would say that the Forts of Maharashtra which are not only merely tourist places but they comprise of a major part of our history. The great kings, their glory and valor, this is what is defined by the  never falling forts. The forts even after decades and centuries are still standing high with pride with canons atop telling the generations about the never ending glory.

Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murud-Janjira    Date:8th March 2019