This fort is counted amongst the strongest marine forts. Vijaydurg, also known as the Victory Fort, is located on the western coast of India. The area of fort is around 68796.55 sq m and provides evidence of the martial supremacy of the Shivaji's region.
Vijaydurg, initially known as Gheria, is considered to have been raised by the Bijapur rulers. The fort was later strengthened and enlarged by Shivaji in the 17th century. It was constructed on the hill near the mouth of the River Vaghotan. Surrounded by the sea on three sides and a ditch on the fourth side, the fort was constructed for safeguarding the kingdom from the neighbouring rulers.
It is believed that Shivaji added huge towers and 3 rows of huge walls to the structure. The main entrance gate of the fort, located on the eastern side, leads to the path that takes one to the middle wall and a hidden inner gateway. The strong triple walls feature around 27 bastions. The inner region of the fort has various buildings and storehouses, which presently stand in ruins, except a rest-house.
Historians state that the fort witnessed many wars, out of which the war with the European powers is considered to be the prominent one. During the period between 1667 and 1729, the fort was under the control of the Marathas. Kanhoji Angre, the naval chief, fought a battle with the Europeans to safeguard the kingdom. The fort was under the collaborated reign of the English and the Peshwas in 1756 and remained with the Peshwas till 1818.
Later, a battle was again fought between the Peshwas and the British and the fort was surrendered to the British as the outcome. A submerged wall of around 100 m has been discovered recently, when the water level of the sea decreased. This wall stands on the eastern side of the fort and is considered to be around 3 m deep in the sea. The surrounding walls of the fort are 7 m wide and 122 m long. It is believed that the region around the banks of the Vaghotan River was a dock, used for building and repairing their ships.
