WikiDwarfBOT: Cleanup: Source modification.

2023-07-22T03:35:58Z

Cleanup: Source modification.

Show changes

Bot: robot: Create/update articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

2022-12-07T21:06:46Z

robot: Create/update articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

Show changes

imported>SunDawn: Reverted edits by 2402:3A80:8DF:9719:0:4A:782E:6201 (talk) (HG) (3.4.10)

2021-08-08T15:42:06Z

Reverted edits by 2402:3A80:8DF:9719:0:4A:782E:6201 (talk) (HG) (3.4.10)

New page

{{Short description|Island fort in Maharashtra, India}}{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox ancient site|name=Murud-Janjira|native_name=|native_name_lang=|alternate_name=|image=Murud Janjira Panoramic View.jpg|image_size=|alt=|caption=Murud Janjira Fort view from ferry point in Rajapuri|map=|map_type=India#India Maharashtra|map_alt=|map_caption=Location in Maharashtra, India|map_size=|altitude_m=|altitude_ref=|relief=yes|coordinates={{coord|18.299589|72.964425|display=inline,title}}|map_dot_label=Murud-Janjira|location=[[Raigad district]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]|region=|type=Fortress|part_of=|builder=|material=|built=|abandoned=|epochs=|cultures=|condition=|ownership=|management=|public_access=|other_designation=|website=|architectural_styles=|architectural_details=|notes=}}

'''Murud-Janjira''' ({{audio|Murud-Janjira.ogg|pron.}}) is the local name of a famous fort and tourist spot situated on an island just off the coastal town of [[Murud, Raigad|Murud]], in the [[Raigad district]] of [[Maharashtra]], [[India]].<ref name="dale">{{cite book |last=Hoiberg |first=Dale |author2=Indu Ramchandani |title=Students' Britannica India |publisher=Popular Prakashan |year=2000 |pages=403 |isbn=0-85229-762-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-xzljvnQ1vAC&q=murud+janjira+fort&pg=PA403 |access-date=2009-03-17}}</ref>

==Origins of the name==
The word Janjira is not native to India, and may have originated after the [[Arabic language|Arabic]] word ''Jazeera'', which means 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.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Richard|first1=M. Eaton|title=A Social History of the Deccan, 1300-1761: Eight Indian Lives, Volume 1 1], ["The" new Cambridge history of India A Social History of the Deccan, 1300-1761: Eight Indian Lives, Richard Maxwell Eaton|date=2005|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=0521254841|page=127|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DNNgdBWoYKoC&q=murud+janjira&pg=PA127|access-date=30 October 2015|ref=A. Razzaq M. H. Peshimam, a Short story; A.A Kadiri. "Inscription of the Sidi chiefs of Janjira," Epigraphia Indica, Arab and Persian Supplement; 1966; P. 55-76}}</ref>

== Ramrao Patil of Janjira ==
[[Ram Patil|Raja Ram Rao Patil]] was [[Patil (title)|Patil]] of Janjira Island and a chief of [[Koli People|Kolis]] who established and/or built this island in the 16th century for Kolis to live peacefully away from pirates. After gaining permission from the [[Sultan]] of the [[Ahmadnagar Sultanate]], he built the island but later refused to obey the orders of the Sultan. So the Sultan sent his [[Admiral]] Piram Khan to capture the janjira. Due to the castle's fortifications, Piram Khan was unable to attack the island conventionally, so he disguised himself as a merchant and requested to stay a night at janjira and permission was granted. Piram Khan hosted a party under the guise of thanking the patil. When the Patil and kolis were intoxicated, Piram Khan attacked them with his men who had been hidden in barrels and captured the island.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DigPvwHTqJ4C&q=Ram+Patil+janjira&pg=PA92|title=An African Indian Community in Hyderabad: Siddi Identity, Its Maintenance and Change|last=Yimene|first=Ababu Minda|date=2004|publisher=Cuvillier Verlag|isbn=9783865372062|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4bMIAAAAQAAJ&q=Ram+Patil+janjira&pg=PA435|title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Kola'ba and Janjira|date=1883|publisher=Government Central Press|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-3CPc22nMqIC&q=Ram+Patil+janjira&pg=PA158|title=The African Dispersal in the Deccan: From Medieval to Modern Times|last=Ali|first=Shanti Sadiq|date=1996|publisher=Orient Blackswan|isbn=9788125004851|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mdpcgy_aopwC&q=Ram+Patil+janjira&pg=PA197|title=The African Diaspora in the Indian Ocean|last1=Jayasuriya|first1=Shihan de S.|last2=Pankhurst|first2=Richard|date=2003|publisher=Africa World Press|isbn=9780865439801|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uxeKDwAAQBAJ&q=Ram+Patil+janjira&pg=PT57|title=Shivaji Maharaj The Greatest|last=Gaikwad|first=Dr Hemantraje|date=2019|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan|isbn=9789353222628|language=hi}}</ref>

== Major features ==
[[File:Fort Murud-Janjira Gemälde.jpg|thumb|Fort Murud-Janjira paintings from the 17th century in the Mughal]]
[[File:Kalak Bangadi,Janjira Fort.jpg|thumb|left|Kalak Bangadi, 3rd Largest Cannon in India At Janjira Fort, weighing over 22 Tons]]
Murud-Janjira Fort is situated on an oval-shaped rock off the Arabian Sea coast near the port city of Murud, {{convert|165|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of [[Mumbai]]. Janjira is considered one of the strongest marine forts in India. The fort is approached by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty. [[File:Janjiraushnish2.jpg|thumbnail|left|Janjira from the outside]] The main gate of the fort faces Rajapuri on the shore and can be seen only when one is about {{convert|40|feet}} away from it. It has a small postern gate towards the open sea for escape.

[[File:Gate to Murud Janjira Fort.jpg|thumb|left|Entry Gate into Murud Janjira Fort. Accessible by ferry.]]
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 {{convert|60|ft|m|adj=mid|-deep}} natural [[fresh water]] [[lake]]s, etc.<ref>http://murudjanjira.blogspot.in/</ref> On the outer wall flanking the main gate, there is a sculpture depicting a tiger-like beast clasping elephants in its claws.
[[File:Janjira-fort-gate-tiger-elephant.jpg|thumb|The sculpture on the main gate]]
The palace of the Nawabs of Janjira at Murud is still in good shape.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}}

A special attraction of this fort are 3 gigantic [[cannons]] named Kalalbangdi, Chavri and Landa Kasam. These cannons were said to be feared for their shooting range.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gunaji |first1=Milind |title=Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra |date=2003 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |isbn=8171546692 |page=23 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=JIjmDLardesC&q=kalal&pg=PA23}}</ref> 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 {{convert|32|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Murud-Janjira, that was used as [[Outpost (military)|outpost]] for the rulers of Janjira.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gunaji |first1=Milind |title=Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra |date=2010 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |isbn=978-8179915783 |page=20 of 260 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KHA9SzLMj3EC&q=murud+janjira&pg=PA20 |access-date=30 October 2015}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Janjiraushnish3.jpg|thumb|Inside the fort]]
{{Main|Janjira State}}

During its heyday, the island fort boasted 572 cannons.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Verma|first1=Bharat|title=Indian Defence Review, Volume 24|date=19 January 2010|publisher=Lancer Publishers, 2010|isbn=978-8170621720|pages=49,156|edition=illustrated|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kxAP9VTqjGQC&q=murud+janjira}}</ref>

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, it commands a panoramic view of the Arabian sea and the Janjira sea fort.
{{Citation needed|reason=Reliable source needed for the whole sentence|date=January 2016}}

According to another record,{{vague|date=May 2017}} the Abyssinian [[Siddi|Sidis]] established the Janjira and Jafarabad state in early 1100.<ref name="Segal 2001, 71">{{cite book |last1=Boyce |first1=Carole Elizabeth |title=Encyclopedia of the African Diaspora: Origins, Experiences, and Culture [3 volumes]: Origins, Experiences, and Culture |date=2008 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1851097050 |page=106 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=nkVxNVvex-sC&q=ottoman+janjira}}</ref>

[[File:ASI NoticeBoard at Murud-Janjira Fort.jpg|thumb|right|Archaeological Survey of India noticeboard at fort entrance]]

According to accounts written by the Portuguese Admiral [[Fernão Mendes Pinto]], the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] fleet that first arrived in [[Aceh]] prior to the [[Ottoman expedition to Aceh]] led by [[Kurtoğlu Hızır Reis]] included 200 [[Malabars|Malabar]] sailors from [[Janjira State|Janjira]] to aid the region of [[Batak (Indonesia)|Batak]] and [[Maritime Southeast Asia]] in 1539.<ref>''Cambridge illustrated atlas, warfare: Renaissance to revolution, 1492–1792'' by Jeremy Black. p.17 [https://books.google.com/books?id=neUKEvaYPZYC&pg=PA17]</ref> Later, in 1621, the Siddis of Janjira became exceptionally powerful as autonomous state to the point that the commander of Janjira, Siddi Ambar the Little, successfully defied his overlord Malik Ambar's attempt to replace him. Siddi Ambar the Little is accordingly considered the first Nawab of Janjira state.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hawley |first1=John C. |title=India in Africa, Africa in India: Indian Ocean Cosmopolitanisms |date=25 June 2008 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0253003164 |pages=255–256 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QMmu7gN8EwUC&pg=PA256}}</ref>

The island fortress was under control of Adil Shahi dynasty until the reign of Ibrahim II where Janjira fort was lost to the Siddis.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ahmed|first1=Farooqui Salma|title=A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: Twelfth to the Mid-Eighteenth Century|date=2011|publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=978-8131732021|page=176|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sxhAtCflwOMC&q=shah+jahan+janjira&pg=PA176}}</ref>

Major historical figures from Murud-Janjira include men such as Sidi Hilal, [[Yahya Saleh]] and [[Sidi Yaqub]]. During the rule of Sultan [[Aurangzeb]], Sidi Yaqut received a subsidy of 400,000 rupees. He also owned large ships which weighed 300–400 tons. According to the record these ships were unsuitable for fighting on the open sea against European warships, but their size allowed for transporting soldiers for amphibious operations.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Roy|first1=Kaushik|title=War, Culture and Society in Early Modern South Asia, 1740-1849|date=30 Mar 2011|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=9781136790874|page=13|edition=Volume 3 Asian States and Empires|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zp0FbTniNaYC&q=ottoman+janjira&pg=PA13|access-date=15 Jan 2016}}</ref>

Despite their repeated attempts, the [[Portugal|Portuguese]], the [[United Kingdom|British]] and the [[Marathas]] failed to subdue the power of the Siddis, who were themselves allied with the [[Mughal Empire]]. For example, 10,000 soldiers from Moro Pandit were repulsed by Janjira's army in 1676.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kyd Nairne |first1=Alexander |title=History of the Konkan |date=1894 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=8120602757 |page=71 of 131 |edition=Reprint |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=nzPCcILP-XwC&q=portuguese+janjira&pg=PA71 |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref> The [[Maratha]]s led by [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]] attempted to scale the {{convert|12|meter|ft|adj=mid|-high}} [[granite]] walls; he failed in all his attempts. His son [[Chhatrapati Sambhaji maharaj]] even attempted to tunnel his way into the fort but was unsuccessful in all his attempts.<ref>''India, Lonely Planet''.</ref> He built another sea fort in 1676, known as [[Padmadurg]] or Kasa fort, to challenge Janjira. It is located northeast of Janjira. Padmadurg took 22 years to build and is constructed on 22 acres of land.

[[File:Janjiraushnish4.jpg|thumb|Janjira ruins]]
[[File:Janjiraushnish6.jpg|thumb|The small pond inside Janjira fort]]
In the year 1736, [[Siddi]]s of Murud-Janjira set out in a battle with the forces of Maratha Peshwa [[Baji Rao I|Baji Rao]]. On 19 April 1736, Maratha warrior Nanaji Surve and [[Chimaji Appa]] attacked the gathering forces in the encampments of the Siddis near Rewas.<ref>Advance Study in the History of Modern India (Volume-1: 1707-1803) By G.S.Chhabra</ref> When the confrontation ended, 1,500 Siddis, including their leader Siddi Sat, were killed. Peace was concluded in September 1736, but the Siddis were confined to only [[Janjira State|Janjira]], [[Gowalkot]], and [[Anjanvel|Anjanwel]], thus their power greatly reduced. However, Janjira remained unconquered until it became part of Indian territory after independence from the British in 1947.

== See also ==
* [[Murud, Raigad|Murud]]
* [[List of Indian Princely States]]
* [[List of forts in Maharashtra]]
* [[Khokri Tombs]]
* [[Janjira State]]
* [[Jafarabad State]]
* [[Maratha Navy]]
*[[Siege of Janjira(1682)]]

== Sources ==
* Imperial Gazetteer of India, 2. A., 26 Bde., Oxford 1908–1931
* Malleson, G. B.: ''An historical sketch of the native states of India'', London 1875, Reprint Delhi 1984
* Schwartzberg, Joseph E., Hrsg.: ''A historical atlas of South Asia'', 2. A., New York/Oxford 1992, {{ISBN|0-19-506869-6}}
* http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/MTDC/HTML/MaharashtraTourism/TouristDelight/Forts/Forts.aspx?strpage=Murud_JanjiraForts.html Maharashtra - Murud Janjira Forts Official Govt. Page

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Commons category|Janjira Fort}}
{{Forts in Maharashtra}}
{{Forts in India}}
{{Princely states of India}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Konkan]]
[[Category:Princely states of India]]
[[Category:Muslim princely states of India]]
[[Category:Islands of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:1490 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:15th-century establishments in India]]
[[Category:Sea forts]]
[[Category:Forts in Raigad district]]

Murud-Janjira - Revision history

WikiDwarfBOT: Cleanup: Source modification.

Bot: robot: Create/update articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

imported>SunDawn: Reverted edits by 2402:3A80:8DF:9719:0:4A:782E:6201 (talk) (HG) (3.4.10)