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{{Short description|Fort in Redi, Maharashtra, India}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}} | {{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}} | ||
{{Infobox military installation|name=Yashwantgad | {{Infobox military installation | ||
| name = Yashwantgad | |||
| partof = Kokan sea coast | |||
| location = [[Sindhudurg district]], [[Maharashtra]] | |||
| map_type = India Maharashtra | |||
| map_size = 300 | |||
| map_caption = Shown within [[Maharashtra]] | |||
| type = Sea fort | |||
| coordinates = {{coord|15|45|10.3|N|73|39|55.7|E}} | |||
| materials = Black Basalt Stone | |||
| height = 150 Ft. | |||
| used = | |||
| condition = good | |||
| ownership = {{flagcountry|India}} | |||
| open_to_public = Yes | |||
| controlledby = {{noflag}}[[Adil Shahi dynasty|Bijapur]] <small>(-1548)</small><br />{{flagcountry|Portuguese Empire}} (<small>1746-1754</small>)<br />{{flagcountry|Maratha Empire}} (<small>1713-1765</small>)<br />{{flagcountry|United Kingdom}} | |||
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the British East India Company (1801).svg}} [[East India Company]] (<small>1765-1857</small>) | * {{flagicon image|Flag of the British East India Company (1801).svg}} [[East India Company]] (<small>1765-1857</small>) | ||
* {{flagicon image|British Raj Red Ensign.svg}} [[British Raj]] (<small>1857-1947</small>) | * {{flagicon image|British Raj Red Ensign.svg}} [[British Raj]] (<small>1857-1947</small>) | ||
{{flagcountry|India}} (<small>1947-</small>)}} | {{flagcountry|India}} (<small>1947-</small>) | ||
}} | |||
'''Yashwantgad Fort''' is located in [[Redi, Maharashtra]], near the Maharashtra-Goa border. It | '''Yashwantgad Fort''' is located in [[Redi, Maharashtra]], near the Maharashtra-Goa border. It sits on a small hill north of Terekhol Creek. The fort, now a tree-entangled ruin, overlooks the beaches of the southern [[Maharashtra]] coast. | ||
==How to reach== | ==How to reach== | ||
The fort is located 33 km from [[Sawantwadi]] and 26 km from [[Vengurla]]. | The fort is located 33 km from [[Sawantwadi]] and 26 km from [[Vengurla]]. It is accessed through crumbling gateways that lead through the surrounding forest and past a deep trench encircling part of the structure. Upon reaching the main entrance, visitors will pass through several small rooms and corridors, where tree roots cascade over the fort's walls. These paths lead to the vast, roofless inner chambers of the citadel, which have long been [[passive rewilding|reclaimed by nature]]. Animals such as [[langur]] monkeys and [[drongo]] birds can often be seen at the fort. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
In | In 610-611 AD, Redi was an important trading port under the Chalukya ruler Swamiraja.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://trekshitiz.com/trekshitiz/marathi/Yashawantgad_(Redi_Fort)-Trek-Y-Alpha.html |title=Yashawantgad (Redi Fort), Sahyadri,Shivaji,Trekking,Marathi,Maharastra |website=trekshitiz.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827180820/http://www.trekshitiz.com/trekshitiz/marathi/Yashawantgad_(Redi_Fort)-Trek-Y-Alpha.html |archive-date=2012-08-27}} </ref> Redi Fort was built before the rise of the [[Marathas]], with construction starting around 600 AD. Each successive ruler expanded the boundaries of the fort. The current fort walls extend to nearly a 1 km radius, but the original fort stretched from the north, where the Ganesh idol was discovered, to Kanlya Lake, and included Durgusa Island in the Arabian Sea. The fort was part of Admiral [[Kanhoji Angre]]'s line of defenses, built for Maratha Queen [[Tarabai|Tarabai Bhosale]].<ref>'RTI prevents sale of historic Yashwantgad fort in Maharashtra'. Zee News, 31 August 2016 http://zeenews.india.com/news/maharashtra/rti-prevents-sale-of-historic-yashwantgad-fort-in-maharashtra_1924469.html</ref> | ||
In 2012, the | The fort was captured by the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] in 1746. The previous holders, the [[Sawant]] clan of Maharashtra, were desperate to regain control of it due to its valuable strategic position on the coast. An attempt to recapture Redi Fort involved poisoning the Portuguese garrison's fish supply, but the attack was unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://trekshitiz.com/trekshitiz/marathi/Yashawantgad_(Redi_Fort)-Trek-Y-Alpha.html |title=Yashawantgad (Redi Fort), Sahyadri,Shivaji,Trekking,Marathi,Maharastra |website=trekshitiz.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827180820/http://www.trekshitiz.com/trekshitiz/marathi/Yashawantgad_(Redi_Fort)-Trek-Y-Alpha.html |archive-date=2012-08-27}} </ref> The fort was eventually returned to the Sawants following a peace treaty, but their success was short-lived. In 1765, the fort was captured by the [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]], who later sold the land to locals in 1890, while retaining ownership of the fort walls. | ||
In 2012, the fort was owned by Vishwanath R. Patki, whose family had been "given the land and the fort as a gift by the erstwhile British government in the late 1800s for services rendered," according to B.V. Kulkarni, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Archaeology & Museums, Maharashtra. In 2016, the fort was declared a protected monument. "Now it is in our control, and we shall prepare a long-term conservation plan, which will eventually make it a tourist attraction," Kulkarni said.<ref>'RTI prevents sale of historic Yashwantgad fort in Maharashtra'. Zee News, 31 August 2016 http://zeenews.india.com/news/maharashtra/rti-prevents-sale-of-historic-yashwantgad-fort-in-maharashtra_1924469.html</ref> | |||
==Places to see== | ==Places to see== | ||
The area of | The fort covers an area of three hectares and is built on two levels. The Lower Fort, the larger of the two, has its base touching the creek and contains a freshwater well. The Upper Fort, situated on a hillock, is smaller and was used to keep watch over maritime activities in the surrounding waters. A dry moat, 20 feet deep, surrounds the fort. There are four gates that must be passed to enter the fort, with the entrance gates and guard vestibules still in good condition. The Balekilla, or Sanctum Sanctorum, is like a jigsaw puzzle, with many buildings and wards still well-preserved. | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights=" | <gallery mode="packed" heights="100px"> | ||
File:View From Redi Fort.JPG|Sea side view from fort | File:View From Redi Fort.JPG|Sea side view from fort | ||
File:Redi fort 1.JPG|Yashwantgad Fort ruins | File:Redi fort 1.JPG|Yashwantgad Fort ruins | ||
| Line 28: | Line 47: | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
{{Portal|India}} | |||
* [[Battles involving the Maratha Empire]] | |||
* [[Ganapati Temple, Redi]] | * [[Ganapati Temple, Redi]] | ||
* [[List of forts in India]] | |||
* [[List of forts in Maharashtra]] | * [[List of forts in Maharashtra]] | ||
* [[List of Maratha dynasties and states]] | * [[List of Maratha dynasties and states]] | ||
* [[Maratha War of Independence]] | * [[Maratha War of Independence]] | ||
* [[Maratha titles]] | * [[Maratha titles]] | ||
* [[Marathi people|Marathi People]] | |||
* [[Military history of India]] | * [[Military history of India]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Sawantwadi State]] | ||
{{coord|15.7529|73.6657|type:landmark_region:IN|display=title}} | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
| Line 50: | Line 66: | ||
{{Forts in Maharashtra}} | {{Forts in Maharashtra}} | ||
{{MarathaEmpire}} | {{MarathaEmpire}} | ||
{{commons category|Yashwantgad Fort}} | |||
[[Category:Buildings and structures of the Maratha Empire]] | [[Category:Buildings and structures of the Maratha Empire]] | ||
[[Category:16th-century forts in India]] | [[Category:16th-century forts in India]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Forts in Maharashtra]] | ||
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Konkan]] | [[Category:Tourist attractions in Konkan]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:42, 14 December 2025
| Yashwantgad | |
|---|---|
| Part of Kokan sea coast | |
| Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra | |
  Yashwantgad | |
| Coordinates | 15°45′10.3″N 73°39′55.7″E / 15.752861°N 73.665472°E |
| Type | Sea fort |
| Height | 150 Ft. |
| Site information | |
| Owner |  India |
| Controlled by | Bijapur (-1548) File:Flag Portugal (1578).svg Portuguese Empire (1746-1754)  Maratha (1713-1765) United Kingdom
India (1947-) |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | good |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Black Basalt Stone |
Yashwantgad Fort is located in Redi, Maharashtra, near the Maharashtra-Goa border. It sits on a small hill north of Terekhol Creek. The fort, now a tree-entangled ruin, overlooks the beaches of the southern Maharashtra coast.
How to reach[edit | edit source]
The fort is located 33 km from Sawantwadi and 26 km from Vengurla. It is accessed through crumbling gateways that lead through the surrounding forest and past a deep trench encircling part of the structure. Upon reaching the main entrance, visitors will pass through several small rooms and corridors, where tree roots cascade over the fort's walls. These paths lead to the vast, roofless inner chambers of the citadel, which have long been reclaimed by nature. Animals such as langur monkeys and drongo birds can often be seen at the fort.
History[edit | edit source]
In 610-611 AD, Redi was an important trading port under the Chalukya ruler Swamiraja.[1] Redi Fort was built before the rise of the Marathas, with construction starting around 600 AD. Each successive ruler expanded the boundaries of the fort. The current fort walls extend to nearly a 1 km radius, but the original fort stretched from the north, where the Ganesh idol was discovered, to Kanlya Lake, and included Durgusa Island in the Arabian Sea. The fort was part of Admiral Kanhoji Angre's line of defenses, built for Maratha Queen Tarabai Bhosale.[2]
The fort was captured by the Portuguese in 1746. The previous holders, the Sawant clan of Maharashtra, were desperate to regain control of it due to its valuable strategic position on the coast. An attempt to recapture Redi Fort involved poisoning the Portuguese garrison's fish supply, but the attack was unsuccessful.[3] The fort was eventually returned to the Sawants following a peace treaty, but their success was short-lived. In 1765, the fort was captured by the British, who later sold the land to locals in 1890, while retaining ownership of the fort walls.
In 2012, the fort was owned by Vishwanath R. Patki, whose family had been "given the land and the fort as a gift by the erstwhile British government in the late 1800s for services rendered," according to B.V. Kulkarni, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Archaeology & Museums, Maharashtra. In 2016, the fort was declared a protected monument. "Now it is in our control, and we shall prepare a long-term conservation plan, which will eventually make it a tourist attraction," Kulkarni said.[4]
Places to see[edit | edit source]
The fort covers an area of three hectares and is built on two levels. The Lower Fort, the larger of the two, has its base touching the creek and contains a freshwater well. The Upper Fort, situated on a hillock, is smaller and was used to keep watch over maritime activities in the surrounding waters. A dry moat, 20 feet deep, surrounds the fort. There are four gates that must be passed to enter the fort, with the entrance gates and guard vestibules still in good condition. The Balekilla, or Sanctum Sanctorum, is like a jigsaw puzzle, with many buildings and wards still well-preserved.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
Sea side view from fort -
Yashwantgad Fort ruins -
Yashwantgad Fort ruins -
Yashwantgad Fort ruins
See also[edit | edit source]
.svg){kind=link}
- Battles involving the Maratha Empire
- Ganapati Temple, Redi
- List of forts in India
- List of forts in Maharashtra
- List of Maratha dynasties and states
- Maratha War of Independence
- Maratha titles
- Marathi People
- Military history of India
- Sawantwadi State
15°45′10″N 73°39′57″E / 15.7529°N 73.6657°E
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Yashawantgad (Redi Fort), Sahyadri,Shivaji,Trekking,Marathi,Maharastra". trekshitiz.com. Archived from the original on 27 August 2012.
- ↑ 'RTI prevents sale of historic Yashwantgad fort in Maharashtra'. Zee News, 31 August 2016 http://zeenews.india.com/news/maharashtra/rti-prevents-sale-of-historic-yashwantgad-fort-in-maharashtra_1924469.html
- ↑ "Yashawantgad (Redi Fort), Sahyadri,Shivaji,Trekking,Marathi,Maharastra". trekshitiz.com. Archived from the original on 27 August 2012.
- ↑ 'RTI prevents sale of historic Yashwantgad fort in Maharashtra'. Zee News, 31 August 2016 http://zeenews.india.com/news/maharashtra/rti-prevents-sale-of-historic-yashwantgad-fort-in-maharashtra_1924469.html