Maharashtra's unconquered sea forts were used for maritime trade and keeping enemies at bay. These forts were surrounded by water as they were built off the coast on islands or the sea bed, mostly blocking a landing place.
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Chhatrapati Shivaji built this fort between 1664 and 1667 on the shore of Malvan town in the Sindhudurg district to check the rising influence of the English, French, Dutch, Portuguese and the Siddhis.
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This sea fort is spread over 48 acres, with a 3 km rampart. Its walls are 12 feet thick and 30 feet high, making the fort resilient to the tides and waves of the Arabian Sea. It was the coastal capital of the Maratha Empire during Shivaji's reign
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Meaning Golden Fort, it was built by the kings of Bijapur in the 17th century on a small island between what is present-day Mumbai and Goa. It was captured by Shivaji Maharaj in 1660 by defeating Ali Adil Shah II. Shivaji then fortified it and created a shipbuilding facility within its premises.
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The fort was earlier connected with the land through a tunnel but is now approachable only through boats and ferries.
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Also known as Alibaug Fort, it was built in 1652 in Alibaug, Konkan. Situated in the sea about 2km from the shores of Alibag, it is a protected monument. Chhatrapati Shivaji strengthened and fortified the Kolaba fort, making it one of his chief naval stations.
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The fort helped Marathas in keeping an eye on the activities of Siddis. Kolaba fort has two entrances – one towards Alibag and the other towards the seaside.
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Arnala Fort was built in 1516 by Sultan Mahmud Begda, a local chieftain from Gujarat. On a small island, 8 km from Vasai, the island fort is also called Jaldurg or Janjire-Arnala.
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The fort was renovated and rebuilt by the Portuguese who named it ‘Ilha das Vacas’ after capturing the island in 1530. After almost 200 years of Portuguese rule, Marathas conquered the fort in 1737.
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It was built in Murud town in Raigad in the 16th century by Koli chief Raja Ram Rao Patil so that his fishing community could live peacefully away from pirates. He later lost it to the Ahmadnagar Sultanate.
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It was later lost to the Siddis. The fort remained unconquered until it became part of India after independence in 1947.
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