Suvarnadurg - Revision history

Aidan93118681: reworked layout and cleaned formatting per sources

2025-07-31T04:46:58Z

reworked layout and cleaned formatting per sources

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

2022-08-08T14:33:46Z

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

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 8 August 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{short description\|Fort on an island in Maharashtra, India}}		{{short description\|Fort on an island in Maharashtra, India}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=July ~~2022~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=July 2017}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=July ~~2022~~}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=July 2017}}
	{{Infobox military installation		{{Infobox military installation
	\|name = Suvarnadurg Fort सुवर्णदुर्ग		\|name = Suvarnadurg Fort सुवर्णदुर्ग
Line 37:		Line 37:
	The literal meaning of ''Suvanadurga'' in the [[Marathi language]] is "Golden Fort" as it was considered as the pride or the "feather in the golden cap of Marathas". Built by Adilshah Navy for defence purposes, the fort also had a shipbuilding facility. The basic objective of establishing the fort was to counter enemy attacks, mainly by the colonialists of Europe and also by the local chieftains.<ref name=Suvana/>		The literal meaning of ''Suvanadurga'' in the [[Marathi language]] is "Golden Fort" as it was considered as the pride or the "feather in the golden cap of Marathas". Built by Adilshah Navy for defence purposes, the fort also had a shipbuilding facility. The basic objective of establishing the fort was to counter enemy attacks, mainly by the colonialists of Europe and also by the local chieftains.<ref name=Suvana/>

	In the past, the land fort and the sea fort were connected by a tunnel, but this is now defunct. The present approach to the sea fort is only by boats from the Harnai port on the headland. It is a protected monument.<ref>{{cite web\|title=List of the protected monuments of Mumbai Circle district-wise\|url=http://www.asimumbaicircle.com/images/list-of-protected-monuments-n-forts.pdf\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606093840/http://www.asimumbaicircle.com/images/list-of-protected-monuments-n-forts.pdf\|url-status=usurped\|archive-date=6 June ~~2022~~}}</ref>		In the past, the land fort and the sea fort were connected by a tunnel, but this is now defunct. The present approach to the sea fort is only by boats from the Harnai port on the headland. It is a protected monument.<ref>{{cite web\|title=List of the protected monuments of Mumbai Circle district-wise\|url=http://www.asimumbaicircle.com/images/list-of-protected-monuments-n-forts.pdf\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606093840/http://www.asimumbaicircle.com/images/list-of-protected-monuments-n-forts.pdf\|url-status=usurped\|archive-date=6 June 2013}}</ref>

	==Geography==		==Geography==
	{{more citations needed\|section\|date=March ~~2022~~}}		{{more citations needed\|section\|date=March 2018}}
	The fort is on an island in the [[Arabian sea]] on the west coast within the jurisdiction of [[Ratnagiri district]], off the Kanakadurga fort and below the headland Harnai port. The nearest town is [[Dapoli]], a hill station (near [[Chiplun]]), {{convert\|17\|km\|mi}} from Harnai. [http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/kanakdurg-harnai/ Kanakadurga],<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/kanakdurg-harnai/\|title=Kanakdurg, Harnai {{!}} Taluka Dapoli\|last=admin\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-01-10}}</ref> the harbour fort, built originally as a strategic link to the sea fort has a lighthouse. Harnai, near the dilapidated Kanakadurg fort, is an important harbour, which is right on the edge of the land that protrudes into the Arabian Sea. This is a natural harbour known for large fishing and marketing. It is conjectured that the Kanakadurga fort<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/kanakdurg-harnai/\|title=Kanakdurg\|website=Taluka Dapoli}}</ref> and other land side forts such as [[Bankot\|Bankot fort]], Fategad fort and Gova fort<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/goa-fort-harnai/\|title=Goa fort, Harnai {{!}} Taluka Dapoli\|last=admin\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-01-10}}</ref> were built primarily as lookout forts for the security of the Suvarnadurg fort. There is no landing jetty at the Suvarnadurga fort. However, the landing is on the shores of the sandy beach of the rocky island. Another feature of the area is that a narrow channel separates the Gova, Kanakadurg<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/kanakdurg-harnai/\|title=Kanakdurg\|website=www.talukadapoli.com}}</ref> and Fattehgarh forts on the mainland.		The fort is on an island in the [[Arabian sea]] on the west coast within the jurisdiction of [[Ratnagiri district]], off the Kanakadurga fort and below the headland Harnai port. The nearest town is [[Dapoli]], a hill station (near [[Chiplun]]), {{convert\|17\|km\|mi}} from Harnai. [http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/kanakdurg-harnai/ Kanakadurga],<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/kanakdurg-harnai/\|title=Kanakdurg, Harnai {{!}} Taluka Dapoli\|last=admin\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-01-10}}</ref> the harbour fort, built originally as a strategic link to the sea fort has a lighthouse. Harnai, near the dilapidated Kanakadurg fort, is an important harbour, which is right on the edge of the land that protrudes into the Arabian Sea. This is a natural harbour known for large fishing and marketing. It is conjectured that the Kanakadurga fort<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/kanakdurg-harnai/\|title=Kanakdurg\|website=Taluka Dapoli}}</ref> and other land side forts such as [[Bankot\|Bankot fort]], Fategad fort and Gova fort<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/goa-fort-harnai/\|title=Goa fort, Harnai {{!}} Taluka Dapoli\|last=admin\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-01-10}}</ref> were built primarily as lookout forts for the security of the Suvarnadurg fort. There is no landing jetty at the Suvarnadurga fort. However, the landing is on the shores of the sandy beach of the rocky island. Another feature of the area is that a narrow channel separates the Gova, Kanakadurg<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/kanakdurg-harnai/\|title=Kanakdurg\|website=www.talukadapoli.com}}</ref> and Fattehgarh forts on the mainland.

Line 48:		Line 48:
	==History==		==History==
	[[Image:Suvarnadurg fort.JPG\|thumb\|Suvarnadurg fort]]		[[Image:Suvarnadurg fort.JPG\|thumb\|Suvarnadurg fort]]
	The fort was captured by [[Shivaji\|Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]] in 1660 by defeating [[Ali Adil Shah II]] (1656–1672). [[Kanhoji Angre]] (1667–1729), popularly known as "Samudratla Shivaji" (Shivaji of the sea) was the<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/as-nda-cadet-i-was-witness-to-vice-admiral-awatis-kindness/145378/\|title=As NDA cadet, I was witness to Vice Admiral Awati's kindness\|last=LT GEN K. J.\|first=SINGH\|website=ThePrint.In\|access-date=7 November ~~2022~~}}</ref> Admiral of the [[Maratha Empire\|Maratha Navy]]; in 1696, Kanhoji's naval fleet was stationed here. However, the fort was formally handed over to Kanhoji in 1713 by Shahu Raja.<ref name=forts/><ref name=Suvana/>		The fort was captured by [[Shivaji\|Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]] in 1660 by defeating [[Ali Adil Shah II]] (1656–1672). [[Kanhoji Angre]] (1667–1729), popularly known as "Samudratla Shivaji" (Shivaji of the sea) was the<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/as-nda-cadet-i-was-witness-to-vice-admiral-awatis-kindness/145378/\|title=As NDA cadet, I was witness to Vice Admiral Awati's kindness\|last=LT GEN K. J.\|first=SINGH\|website=ThePrint.In\|access-date=7 November 2018}}</ref> Admiral of the [[Maratha Empire\|Maratha Navy]]; in 1696, Kanhoji's naval fleet was stationed here. However, the fort was formally handed over to Kanhoji in 1713 by Shahu Raja.<ref name=forts/><ref name=Suvana/>

	[[Kanhoji Angre]] who was also known as Angria was appointed in 1698 as Admiral of the Maratha Naval Fleet by the [[Peshwas]]. He had complete control over the west coast, from [[Bombay]] to Vengurla, except for the fort of [[Murud-Janjira\|Janjira]], which remained with the Siddis (for 200 years). Angre was considered to be a mercenary who attacked defenseless towns and also traders. He even attacked the [[East India Company\|East Indian Company's]] ship in 1702 and refused to release the six British captives. He severed his relations with the Peshwas in 1704 and was called "the Rebel Independent of the Raja Shivaji". In spite of the warning by the British that he should not attack or capture British ships, he captured their ships in 1707. He had a free run of the west coast from [[Surat]] to [[Dabol]] and captured all private vessels. When Shivaji's grandson was imprisoned, Kanhoji got his opportunity to stake his claim for independence. In 1713, he had captured Peshwa's general Bhairu, which forced the Peshwa general Balaji Rao (Commander-in-Chief of the Maratha forces) to come to an agreement with him. For maintaining "fealty" with the [[Satara (city)\|Satara]]s (Shivaji's family stronghold), he was granted 26 forts and its dependent villages, which included Suvarnadurg. In subsequent years, these forts became strongholds for piracy. According to both Indian historians of [[Anglo-Maratha Wars (disambiguation)\|Anglo-Maratha Wars]] such as Anil Athale<ref name=AnilAthale>{{cite book\| last=Athale \| first=Anil\| title=Struggle for Empire: Anglo-Maratha Wars, 1679–1818\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WuL2PQAACAAJ\|publisher=Reliance Publishing House\|date=2002\| isbn=9788175101203}}</ref> and now revisionist western historians such as John Keay<ref name=JohnKeay>{{Cite book\|last=Keay\|first=John\|title= The Honorable Company: A History of the English East India Company\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XpdgQt6Tc54C\|publisher=Harper Collins, U.K.\|isbn=9780007395545\|date=2010-07-08}}</ref> and Simon Leyton. The pejorative pirate was used in British records, but the correspondence between the English and Maratha Navy suggests more a communication between the Maratha state and a trading company without permits, the English East India Company. Leyton wrote in ''The "Moghul's Admiral": Angrian "Piracy" and the Rise of British Bombay'': "It is now generally accepted by historians that Kanhoji [Angria], at least, was not a pirate in any sense of the word; rather, he is more properly thought of as the 'Admiral' of the Marathas"—an Indian Kingdom—"who for many years confronted European attempts to claim navigational rights over coastal shipping lanes".<ref name=SimonLeyton>{{Cite journal\|last=Leyton \| first=Simon\|title=The "Moghul's Admiral": Angrian "Piracy" and the Rise of British Bombay\|date=2013 \|url=http://brill.com/jemh \|journal= Journal of Early Modern History \|volume=17 \|pages=75–93 \|doi= 10.1163/15700658-12342358\| name-list-style=vanc}}</ref> With his new ordered control, Kanhoji held complete control over a coast line stretching over a coast length of {{convert\|240\|mi\|km}} and {{convert\|40\|mi\|km}} width extending from Bombay (now [[Mumbai]]) to Vengurla to the south. He later entered into an agreement with the British, which went against him as the British flouted all terms with him. Humiliated by this treatment by the British he decided to attack them. He entered into an alliance with the Raja of Satara, equipped his vessels and manned them by the best crew consisting of [[Dutch people\|Dutchmen]]. He also employed a [[Jamaica]]n [[pirate]] as his chief gunner. Many European pirate forces had also joined his army after the [[Treaty of Utrecht]] of 1713–14 (comprising a series of individual peace treaties among several [[Europe]]an states including [[England]], [[France]] and [[Spain]], among others). With this force, he attacked the merchant ships of the [[East India Company]].<ref name=Suvana/><ref name= Saletore>{{Cite book\|last= Saletore \|first=Rajaram Narayan \|title= Indian Pirates: From the Earliest Times to the Present Day \|pages=99–102\|access-date=2010-01-13 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1PVMMoChwY4C&q=Kanhoji%20Angre \|publisher= Concept Publishing Company\|year=1978}}</ref>		[[Kanhoji Angre]] who was also known as Angria was appointed in 1698 as Admiral of the Maratha Naval Fleet by the [[Peshwas]]. He had complete control over the west coast, from [[Bombay]] to Vengurla, except for the fort of [[Murud-Janjira\|Janjira]], which remained with the Siddis (for 200 years). Angre was considered to be a mercenary who attacked defenseless towns and also traders. He even attacked the [[East India Company\|East Indian Company's]] ship in 1702 and refused to release the six British captives. He severed his relations with the Peshwas in 1704 and was called "the Rebel Independent of the Raja Shivaji". In spite of the warning by the British that he should not attack or capture British ships, he captured their ships in 1707. He had a free run of the west coast from [[Surat]] to [[Dabol]] and captured all private vessels. When Shivaji's grandson was imprisoned, Kanhoji got his opportunity to stake his claim for independence. In 1713, he had captured Peshwa's general Bhairu, which forced the Peshwa general Balaji Rao (Commander-in-Chief of the Maratha forces) to come to an agreement with him. For maintaining "fealty" with the [[Satara (city)\|Satara]]s (Shivaji's family stronghold), he was granted 26 forts and its dependent villages, which included Suvarnadurg. In subsequent years, these forts became strongholds for piracy. According to both Indian historians of [[Anglo-Maratha Wars (disambiguation)\|Anglo-Maratha Wars]] such as Anil Athale<ref name=AnilAthale>{{cite book\| last=Athale \| first=Anil\| title=Struggle for Empire: Anglo-Maratha Wars, 1679–1818\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WuL2PQAACAAJ\|publisher=Reliance Publishing House\|date=2002\| isbn=9788175101203}}</ref> and now revisionist western historians such as John Keay<ref name=JohnKeay>{{Cite book\|last=Keay\|first=John\|title= The Honorable Company: A History of the English East India Company\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XpdgQt6Tc54C\|publisher=Harper Collins, U.K.\|isbn=9780007395545\|date=2010-07-08}}</ref> and Simon Leyton. The pejorative pirate was used in British records, but the correspondence between the English and Maratha Navy suggests more a communication between the Maratha state and a trading company without permits, the English East India Company. Leyton wrote in ''The "Moghul's Admiral": Angrian "Piracy" and the Rise of British Bombay'': "It is now generally accepted by historians that Kanhoji [Angria], at least, was not a pirate in any sense of the word; rather, he is more properly thought of as the 'Admiral' of the Marathas"—an Indian Kingdom—"who for many years confronted European attempts to claim navigational rights over coastal shipping lanes".<ref name=SimonLeyton>{{Cite journal\|last=Leyton \| first=Simon\|title=The "Moghul's Admiral": Angrian "Piracy" and the Rise of British Bombay\|date=2013 \|url=http://brill.com/jemh \|journal= Journal of Early Modern History \|volume=17 \|pages=75–93 \|doi= 10.1163/15700658-12342358\| name-list-style=vanc}}</ref> With his new ordered control, Kanhoji held complete control over a coast line stretching over a coast length of {{convert\|240\|mi\|km}} and {{convert\|40\|mi\|km}} width extending from Bombay (now [[Mumbai]]) to Vengurla to the south. He later entered into an agreement with the British, which went against him as the British flouted all terms with him. Humiliated by this treatment by the British he decided to attack them. He entered into an alliance with the Raja of Satara, equipped his vessels and manned them by the best crew consisting of [[Dutch people\|Dutchmen]]. He also employed a [[Jamaica]]n [[pirate]] as his chief gunner. Many European pirate forces had also joined his army after the [[Treaty of Utrecht]] of 1713–14 (comprising a series of individual peace treaties among several [[Europe]]an states including [[England]], [[France]] and [[Spain]], among others). With this force, he attacked the merchant ships of the [[East India Company]].<ref name=Suvana/><ref name= Saletore>{{Cite book\|last= Saletore \|first=Rajaram Narayan \|title= Indian Pirates: From the Earliest Times to the Present Day \|pages=99–102\|access-date=2010-01-13 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1PVMMoChwY4C&q=Kanhoji%20Angre \|publisher= Concept Publishing Company\|year=1978}}</ref>

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

2022-08-08T14:33:46Z

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

New page

{{short description|Fort on an island in Maharashtra, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox military installation
|name = Suvarnadurg Fort सुवर्णदुर्ग
|partof = [[Harnai, Maharashtra|Harnai]] port of [[Ratnagiri District]]
|location= [[Harnai, Maharashtra|Harnai]], [[India]]
|image =
|caption = Suvarnadurg Fort
|map_type = Maharashtra
|map_caption = Location of Suvarnadurg in [[Maharashtra]], India
|type = [[Fort]]
|coordinates = {{coord|17.817|73.085|type:landmark|display=inline}}
|code =
|built = Seventeenth century
|builder =[[Adil Shahi dynasty]] and later by [[Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ]]<ref name="sen2">{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Sailendra |title=A Textbook of Medieval Indian History |publisher=Primus Books |year=2013 |isbn=978-9-38060-734-4 |pages=207|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UdW6lAEACAAJ }}</ref>
|materials =
|height =
|used =
|demolished =
|condition = Ruins
|open_to_public = Yes
|controlledby = [[Government of Maharashtra]]
|garrison =
|current_commander =
|commanders =
|occupants =
|battles = [[Marathas]], [[Angria]]s and [[United Kingdom|British]]
|events = Battles for the fort in 1755 and 1818
|image2 = Entrance to Suvarnadurg.JPG
|image2_size = 300px
|caption2 = Entrance to Suvarnadurg fort
}}

'''Suvarnadurg''' ({{lang-mr|सुवर्णदुर्ग}} - [[Indian English|translation]]: ''Golden Fort'', also spelt ''Severndroog'' in English, a spelling sometimes also used for [[Savandurga]]<ref>{{cite book|page=378|title=A geographical, statistical, and historical description of Hindostan, and the adjacent counties, Volume 2|author=Walter Hamilton (M.R.A.S.)|publisher=J. Murray|year= 1820}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/suvarndurg-fort-harnai-taluka-dapoli/|title=History of Suvarnadurg, Harnai {{!}} Taluka Dapoli|last=admin|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-10}}</ref>) is a fort that is located between [[Mumbai]] and [[Goa]] on a small island in the [[Arabian Sea]], near [[Harnai, Maharashtra|Harnai]] in [[Konkan]], along the West Coast of [[India]], in the [[States of India|Indian state]] of [[Maharashtra]]. The fort also includes another small land fort called the Kanakadurga at the base of headland of Harnai port on the coast. Building of the fort is credited to [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]], founder of the [[Maratha Empire]], in 1660. Subsequently, ChatrapatiShivaji Maharaj, other ttra[[Peshwas]] and the Angres further fortified the forts for defence purposes.<ref name=forts>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/MTDC/HTML/MaharashtraTourism/Default.aspx?strpage=../MaharashtraTourism/TouristDelight/Forts/SuvarnadurgFort.html|title=Suvarnadurg Fort|access-date=13 January 2010|publisher=Government of Maharashtra}}</ref><ref name=Suvana>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080114041058/http://maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/RATNAGIRI/places_Harnai.html|archive-date=14 January 2008|url-status=dead|title=Harnai|access-date=2010-01-14|publisher=Maharashtra Gazetter Department|url=http://maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/RATNAGIRI/places_Harnai.html|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The literal meaning of ''Suvanadurga'' in the [[Marathi language]] is "Golden Fort" as it was considered as the pride or the "feather in the golden cap of Marathas". Built by Adilshah Navy for defence purposes, the fort also had a shipbuilding facility. The basic objective of establishing the fort was to counter enemy attacks, mainly by the colonialists of Europe and also by the local chieftains.<ref name=Suvana/>

In the past, the land fort and the sea fort were connected by a tunnel, but this is now defunct. The present approach to the sea fort is only by boats from the Harnai port on the headland. It is a protected monument.<ref>{{cite web|title=List of the protected monuments of Mumbai Circle district-wise|url=http://www.asimumbaicircle.com/images/list-of-protected-monuments-n-forts.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606093840/http://www.asimumbaicircle.com/images/list-of-protected-monuments-n-forts.pdf|url-status=usurped|archive-date=6 June 2022}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{more citations needed|section|date=March 2022}}
The fort is on an island in the [[Arabian sea]] on the west coast within the jurisdiction of [[Ratnagiri district]], off the Kanakadurga fort and below the headland Harnai port. The nearest town is [[Dapoli]], a hill station (near [[Chiplun]]), {{convert|17|km|mi}} from Harnai. [http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/kanakdurg-harnai/ Kanakadurga],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/kanakdurg-harnai/|title=Kanakdurg, Harnai {{!}} Taluka Dapoli|last=admin|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-10}}</ref> the harbour fort, built originally as a strategic link to the sea fort has a lighthouse. Harnai, near the dilapidated Kanakadurg fort, is an important harbour, which is right on the edge of the land that protrudes into the Arabian Sea. This is a natural harbour known for large fishing and marketing. It is conjectured that the Kanakadurga fort<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/kanakdurg-harnai/|title=Kanakdurg|website=Taluka Dapoli}}</ref> and other land side forts such as [[Bankot|Bankot fort]], Fategad fort and Gova fort<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/goa-fort-harnai/|title=Goa fort, Harnai {{!}} Taluka Dapoli|last=admin|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-10}}</ref> were built primarily as lookout forts for the security of the Suvarnadurg fort. There is no landing jetty at the Suvarnadurga fort. However, the landing is on the shores of the sandy beach of the rocky island. Another feature of the area is that a narrow channel separates the Gova, Kanakadurg<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/kanakdurg-harnai/|title=Kanakdurg|website=www.talukadapoli.com}}</ref> and Fattehgarh forts on the mainland.

;Climate
The general climate on the west coast, which is where the Suvarnadurg is located, could be categorised as hot and humid. The temperatures vary from a maximum of {{convert|38|C|F}} in summer to a low of {{convert|24|C|F}} in winter. South West [[Monsoon]] controls the precipitation on the west coast, which lasts from June to September, and rainfall is in the range of {{convert|140|-|170|cm|in}}.<ref name = "Naravane p.16">Naravane p.16</ref>

==History==
[[Image:Suvarnadurg fort.JPG|thumb|Suvarnadurg fort]]
The fort was captured by [[Shivaji|Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj]] in 1660 by defeating [[Ali Adil Shah II]] (1656–1672). [[Kanhoji Angre]] (1667–1729), popularly known as "Samudratla Shivaji" (Shivaji of the sea) was the<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/as-nda-cadet-i-was-witness-to-vice-admiral-awatis-kindness/145378/|title=As NDA cadet, I was witness to Vice Admiral Awati's kindness|last=LT GEN K. J.|first=SINGH|website=ThePrint.In|access-date=7 November 2022}}</ref> Admiral of the [[Maratha Empire|Maratha Navy]]; in 1696, Kanhoji's naval fleet was stationed here. However, the fort was formally handed over to Kanhoji in 1713 by Shahu Raja.<ref name=forts/><ref name=Suvana/>

[[Kanhoji Angre]] who was also known as Angria was appointed in 1698 as Admiral of the Maratha Naval Fleet by the [[Peshwas]]. He had complete control over the west coast, from [[Bombay]] to Vengurla, except for the fort of [[Murud-Janjira|Janjira]], which remained with the Siddis (for 200 years). Angre was considered to be a mercenary who attacked defenseless towns and also traders. He even attacked the [[East India Company|East Indian Company's]] ship in 1702 and refused to release the six British captives. He severed his relations with the Peshwas in 1704 and was called "the Rebel Independent of the Raja Shivaji". In spite of the warning by the British that he should not attack or capture British ships, he captured their ships in 1707. He had a free run of the west coast from [[Surat]] to [[Dabol]] and captured all private vessels. When Shivaji's grandson was imprisoned, Kanhoji got his opportunity to stake his claim for independence. In 1713, he had captured Peshwa's general Bhairu, which forced the Peshwa general Balaji Rao (Commander-in-Chief of the Maratha forces) to come to an agreement with him. For maintaining "fealty" with the [[Satara (city)|Satara]]s (Shivaji's family stronghold), he was granted 26 forts and its dependent villages, which included Suvarnadurg. In subsequent years, these forts became strongholds for piracy. According to both Indian historians of [[Anglo-Maratha Wars (disambiguation)|Anglo-Maratha Wars]] such as Anil Athale<ref name=AnilAthale>{{cite book| last=Athale | first=Anil| title=Struggle for Empire: Anglo-Maratha Wars, 1679–1818|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WuL2PQAACAAJ|publisher=Reliance Publishing House|date=2002| isbn=9788175101203}}</ref> and now revisionist western historians such as John Keay<ref name=JohnKeay>{{Cite book|last=Keay|first=John|title= The Honorable Company: A History of the English East India Company|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XpdgQt6Tc54C|publisher=Harper Collins, U.K.|isbn=9780007395545|date=2010-07-08}}</ref> and Simon Leyton. The pejorative pirate was used in British records, but the correspondence between the English and Maratha Navy suggests more a communication between the Maratha state and a trading company without permits, the English East India Company. Leyton wrote in ''The "Moghul's Admiral": Angrian "Piracy" and the Rise of British Bombay'': "It is now generally accepted by historians that Kanhoji [Angria], at least, was not a pirate in any sense of the word; rather, he is more properly thought of as the 'Admiral' of the Marathas"—an Indian Kingdom—"who for many years confronted European attempts to claim navigational rights over coastal shipping lanes".<ref name=SimonLeyton>{{Cite journal|last=Leyton | first=Simon|title=The "Moghul's Admiral": Angrian "Piracy" and the Rise of British Bombay|date=2013 |url=http://brill.com/jemh |journal= Journal of Early Modern History |volume=17 |pages=75–93 |doi= 10.1163/15700658-12342358| name-list-style=vanc}}</ref> With his new ordered control, Kanhoji held complete control over a coast line stretching over a coast length of {{convert|240|mi|km}} and {{convert|40|mi|km}} width extending from Bombay (now [[Mumbai]]) to Vengurla to the south. He later entered into an agreement with the British, which went against him as the British flouted all terms with him. Humiliated by this treatment by the British he decided to attack them. He entered into an alliance with the Raja of Satara, equipped his vessels and manned them by the best crew consisting of [[Dutch people|Dutchmen]]. He also employed a [[Jamaica]]n [[pirate]] as his chief gunner. Many European pirate forces had also joined his army after the [[Treaty of Utrecht]] of 1713–14 (comprising a series of individual peace treaties among several [[Europe]]an states including [[England]], [[France]] and [[Spain]], among others). With this force, he attacked the merchant ships of the [[East India Company]].<ref name=Suvana/><ref name= Saletore>{{Cite book|last= Saletore |first=Rajaram Narayan |title= Indian Pirates: From the Earliest Times to the Present Day |pages=99–102|access-date=2010-01-13 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1PVMMoChwY4C&q=Kanhoji%20Angre |publisher= Concept Publishing Company|year=1978}}</ref>

Kanhoji relentlessly carried on his fight against the British and in 1721 joined hands with the [[Portugal|Portuguese]]; when 33 British soldiers were killed, 21 wounded and many ammunition and field guns were seized by the Marathas. In 1722, when Kanhoji was to attack the English factory at [[Karwar]], in spite of the British sending their ships 'Victoria' and the 'Revenge' to attack Kanhoji's forces, he was not cowed down; even though his Dutch Commander was killed and his 16 ships were captured. However, he died on 4 June 1729, an unvanquished hero for 31 years against all foreign attacks.

He had two legitimate and two illegitimate sons, and Sambaji his legitimate son was given control of Suvarnadurg. Following the death of one of the brothers in 1734, there were intense fights and acts of piracy continued. In spite of attacks by the British in 1732, Sambaji was back in Suvarnadurg unharmed. However, by 1749, Tulaji, the stepbrother of Sambaji, had become very powerful and his ships sailed unharmed, even much bolder than what his father Kanhoji had achieved. This situation forced the Peshwas to join hands with the British to suppress Tulaji. In 1755, they jointly attacked Tulaji's stronghold of Suvarnadurg and took control of the fort within 48 hours. Suvarnadurg was then given to the Peshwas that was considered a humiliating surrender by the Peshwas to the British.<ref name=Suvana/><ref name= "Saletore pp.109, 111">Saletore pp.109, 111</ref>

Subsequent to Kanhoji's demise, Tulaji Angre took charge of Suvarnadurg and it became the seat of his power. However, he fell foul of the Peshwas. He was considered arrogant. In the war with Tulaji, Peshwas were supported by the British. The joint siege of the fort lasted from 25 March to 2 April 1755. On 12 April 1755, [[Sir William James, 1st Baronet|Commodore James]] captured the fort and formally handed it over to the Peshwas. However, this support proved detrimental to the Peshwas, as the British extracted, as a reward, control over the Bankot fort but only allowed the Peshwas to have control over the Suvarnadurg. In 1802, Bajirav Peshwa under attack by the [[Holkars]] was trying to take refuge in this fort but had to flee to [[Vasai]] as he was chased to the fort by the Holkars. In 1818, Captain William of the [[British army]] attacked the fort and took full control of it on 4 December 1818. Soon thereafter the other forts also came under British control. The fort was thus under the control of the Peshwas till 1818. The fort has witnessed a scene of "triumph and tragedy, of the display of heroic courage and abject cowardice."<ref name=forts/><ref name=Suvana/><ref name = "Naravane p.4">Naravane p.4</ref>

The Angrias are also credited with not only strengthening the fort but also establishing the shipbuilding yard at Suvanadurg and creating a large fleet of warships to secure the west coast, the [[Konkan coast]], from attack from the [[British people|British]], [[French people|French]], [[Dutch people|Dutch]] and [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] East India Companies. It is also inferred that the small forts (Guva, Kanakadurga, Bankot fort, Fattegad fort and Gova fort) were primarily built by Kanhoji Angre to defend Suvarnadurg from any enemy attack from the land route.<ref name=forts/>

==Structures==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| image1 = Suvarnadurg as seen from afar.jpeg
| width1 = 150
| alt1 =
| caption1 = Left: Suvanadurg, a mile away from the mainland.
| image2 = Harnai fishing boats.jpg
| width2 = 150
| alt2 =
| caption2 = Right: Harnai Port on the mainland
| footer =
}}
Suvarnadurg fort is located on a rocky island in the Arabian Sea on the west coast. It is spread over an area of {{convert|8|acre|ha}} and is about {{convert|1|mi|km}} from the main land.<ref name=Suvana/> As is common in other similar forts, it is encircled by a dry moat. It tapers towards the southern direction from where the Kanakadurga fort is clearly visible. The walls have been mostly cut out of the rock exposures on the island. However, some part of the fort walls are built with large stone blocks of {{convert|10|-|12|ft|m}} square. It has two entrances or gates, known as the 'Mahadarwaja' (big gate) also called the postern wall (above the high tide level) on the east and 'Chor Darwaja' on the west; the former gate faces the land and the latter faces the sea. The fort comes into sight only at very close quarters. The fort can be approached only during the low tide condition when it is also easier to walk in the precincts of the fort. The present entry from the main east gate is blocked by thorny bushes but can be accessed from a narrow entry, locally known as the [[devdi]]s. At the main entry, carvings of a [[Hanuman]] carved on the wall and a carved turtle on one of the leading steps are seen. The sea-gate depicts carved figures of a tiger, eagle and elephants. The fort is fortified with many bastions, which also have small built-in rooms. The central part of the fort has two granaries and a decrepit building. From the Chor Darwaja, steps lead to the fort. Locations of old palaces in the fort area are inferred from the large number of foundation plinths seen in the fort area. A stone building in the fort precincts has been identified as an ammunition magazine. Fifteen old guns have also been located in the fort.<ref name=forts/><ref name=Suvana/><ref name = Naravane>{{Cite book|last= Naravane|first= M. S|title= The maritime and coastal forts of India|work= Islands|page=12|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k59aVCIlFB8C&q=Suvarnadurg+Fort&pg=PP21|access-date=2010-01-14|publisher= APH Publishing|year= 1998|isbn=978-81-7024-910-8}}</ref>

There are several potable water sources (tanks, ponds and wells) in the fort; however, these dry up in the summer months. There is [[step well]], which has plenty of water.<ref name=forts/><ref name=Suvana/>

;Kanakadurga fort

[http://www.talukadapoli.com/en/places/kanakdurg-harnai/ Kanakdurga fort] (headland fort) projects into the sea, adjoins the Harnai port and is spread over an area of {{convert|0.25|ha|acre}}. It is approached through a flight of steps. This fort is now in ruins, except for a few water tanks, two dilapidated bastions (one at each end), a lighthouse on elevated ground, and also a residence for the caretaker. It was also once a military camp. The fort has nine water ponds with abundant water supply, of which eight are separated by stone walls and the ninth pond is a little away to the west.<ref name=forts/><ref name=Suvana/>

==Visitor information==
[[Mumbai]] is at a distance of {{convert|230|km|mi}} from Harnai. Harnai, located in a rocky bay, has an all-weather road that connects to [[Dapoli]] and [[Khed, Ratnagiri|Khed]]. The road distances to other nearby forts and towns are: Bankot-Anjarle-Harnai: {{convert|23|km|mi}}; Dapoli-Harnai: {{convert|16|km|mi}}; and Anjarle-Harnai: {{convert|7|km|mi}}. The only approach to the fort is by boats, from Harnai. Boats have to be arranged through the local fishermen.
It is a port of call for coastal steamers and thrives on fishing as a major marketing centre.<ref name=Suvana/> The nearest railway station on the [[Konkan Railway]] of the [[Indian Railways]] is at [[Khed, Ratnagiri|Khed]]. The nearest airport is at Mumbai.

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://www.flickr.com/photos/ketanbravo/110138399/ Plan of Suvarnadurg Fort]
*[http://wikimapia.org/#lat=17.816359&lon=73.0839729&z=15&l=0&m=a&v=2&show=/205429/Suvarnadurga-Harnai-Fort&search=Harnai%20Fort Suvarnadurga Fort on Wikimaps]

{{Forts in Maharashtra}}
[[Category:Maratha Navy]]
[[Category:Forts in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Konkan]]
[[Category:Islands of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Ratnagiri district]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials to Shivaji]]
[[Category:Forts in Ratnagiri district]]