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{{Short description|Island fort in Maharashtra, India}}{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}} | {{Short description|Island fort in Maharashtra, India}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}} | |||
{{Use Indian English|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=<!-- Enter a number for altitude in meters (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=}} | {{Infobox ancient site|name=Murud-Janjira|native_name=|native_name_lang=|alternate_name=|image=Murud Janjira Panoramic View.jpg|image_size=250px|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=<!-- Enter a number for altitude in meters (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> | '''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/city 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== | ==Origins of the name== | ||
The word Janjira is | The word Janjira is a corruption of the arabic word "Jazira", which means island in the Arabic language. Murud was once known in Marathi as ''Habsan'' ("of [[Habshi]]" or [[Abyssinian people|Abyssinian]]). The name of the fort is a concatenation of the [[Konkani]] and Marathi words, "murud" and "Janjiri". 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 == | == 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 | [[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 15th 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 in 1489 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 == | == Major features == | ||
[[File:Fort Murud-Janjira Gemälde.jpg|thumb|Fort Murud-Janjira paintings from the 17th century in the Mughal]] | [[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]] | [[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 | 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 coastal 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.]] | [[File:Gate to Murud Janjira Fort.jpg|thumb|left|Entry Gate into Murud Janjira Fort. Accessible by ferry.]] | ||
The fort has 26 | The fort has 26 artillery towers still intact. There are many cannons of native and European make rusting on the towers. Now in ruins, the fort in its heyday was a full-fledged living fort with all the necessary facilities, e.g.,Barracks, quarters for officers, mosque, two small {{convert|60|ft|m|adj=mid|-deep}} fresh water ponds etc.<ref>http://murudjanjira.blogspot.in/ {{User-generated source|date=August 2022}}</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]] | [[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}} | The palace of the Nawabs of Janjira at Murud is still in good shape.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}} | ||
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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> | 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 | 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. There is evidence that royal ladies occupied quarters here. 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. | 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. | ||
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[[File:ASI NoticeBoard at Murud-Janjira Fort.jpg|thumb|right|Archaeological Survey of India noticeboard at fort entrance]] | [[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> | 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> | 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> | ||
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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> | 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 | 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 and was very close to capture the fort, but at the same time a Mughal army attacked Maratha capital, so Sambhaji had to withdraw his forces from the siege and go to save Maratha capital.<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:Janjiraushnish4.jpg|thumb|Janjira ruins]] | ||
[[File:Janjiraushnish6.jpg|thumb|The small pond inside Janjira fort]] | [[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 | 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 brokered in September 1736, but the Siddis were confined to only [[Janjira State|Janjira]], [[Gowalkot]], and [[Anjanvel|Anjanwel]], with their power greatly reduced. However, Janjira remained unconquered until it became part of Indian territory after independence from the British in 1947. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Revision as of 02:36, 8 December 2022
| Error creating thumbnail: File missing Murud Janjira Fort view from ferry point in Rajapuri | |
Location in Maharashtra, India Murud-Janjira (Maharashtra) | |
| Location | Raigad district, Maharashtra, India |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 18°17′59″N 72°57′52″E / 18.299589°N 72.964425°E |
| Type | Fortress |
Murud-Janjira (Error creating thumbnail: File missingpron. (help·info)) is the local name of a famous fort and tourist spot situated on an island just off the coastal town/city of Murud, in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India.[1]
Origins of the name
The word Janjira is a corruption of the arabic word "Jazira", which means island in the Arabic language. Murud was once known in Marathi as Habsan ("of Habshi" or Abyssinian). The name of the fort is a concatenation of the Konkani and Marathi words, "murud" and "Janjiri". The word "morod" is peculiar to Konkani and is absent in Marathi.[2]
Ramrao Patil of Janjira
Raja Ram Rao Patil was Patil of Janjira Island and a chief of Kolis who established and/or built this island in the 15th 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 in 1489 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.[3][4][5][6][7]
Major features
Murud-Janjira Fort is situated on an oval-shaped rock off the Arabian Sea coast near the port city of Murud, 165 km (103 mi) south of Mumbai. Janjira is considered one of the strongest coastal forts in India. The fort is approached by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty.
The main gate of the fort faces Rajapuri on the shore and can be seen only when one is about 40 feet (12 m) away from it. It has a small postern gate towards the open sea for escape.
The fort has 26 artillery towers still intact. There are many cannons of native and European make rusting on the towers. Now in ruins, the fort in its heyday was a full-fledged living fort with all the necessary facilities, e.g.,Barracks, quarters for officers, mosque, two small 60-foot-deep (18 m) fresh water ponds etc.[8] On the outer wall flanking the main gate, there is a sculpture depicting a tiger-like beast clasping elephants in its claws.
The palace of the Nawabs of Janjira at Murud is still in good shape.[citation needed]
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.[9] 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 32 km (20 mi) east of Murud-Janjira, that was used as outpost for the rulers of Janjira.[10]
History
During its heyday, the island fort boasted 572 cannons.[11]
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. There is evidence that royal ladies occupied quarters here. 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]
According to another record,[vague] the Abyssinian Sidis established the Janjira and Jafarabad state in early 1100.[12]
According to accounts written by the Portuguese Admiral Fernão Mendes Pinto, the Ottoman fleet that first arrived in Aceh prior to the Ottoman expedition to Aceh led by Kurtoğlu Hızır Reis included 200 Malabar sailors from Janjira to aid the region of Batak and Maritime Southeast Asia in 1539.[13] 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.[14]
The island fortress was under control of Adil Shahi dynasty until the reign of Ibrahim II where Janjira fort was lost to the Siddis.[15]
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.[16]
Despite their repeated attempts, the Portuguese, the 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.[17] The Marathas led by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj attempted to scale the 12-meter-high (39 ft) granite walls; he failed in all his attempts. His son Chhatrapati Sambhaji maharaj even attempted to tunnel his way into the fort and was very close to capture the fort, but at the same time a Mughal army attacked Maratha capital, so Sambhaji had to withdraw his forces from the siege and go to save Maratha capital.[18] 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.
In the year 1736, Siddis of Murud-Janjira set out in a battle with the forces of Maratha Peshwa 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.[19] When the confrontation ended, 1,500 Siddis, including their leader Siddi Sat, were killed. Peace was brokered in September 1736, but the Siddis were confined to only Janjira, Gowalkot, and Anjanwel, with 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
- 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
- ↑ Hoiberg, Dale; Indu Ramchandani (2000). Students' Britannica India. Popular Prakashan. p. 403. ISBN 0-85229-762-9. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
- ↑ Richard, M. Eaton (2005). 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. Cambridge University Press. p. 127. ISBN 0521254841. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ↑ Yimene, Ababu Minda (2004). An African Indian Community in Hyderabad: Siddi Identity, Its Maintenance and Change. Cuvillier Verlag. ISBN 9783865372062.
- ↑ Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Kola'ba and Janjira. Government Central Press. 1883.
- ↑ Ali, Shanti Sadiq (1996). The African Dispersal in the Deccan: From Medieval to Modern Times. Orient Blackswan. ISBN 9788125004851.
- ↑ Jayasuriya, Shihan de S.; Pankhurst, Richard (2003). The African Diaspora in the Indian Ocean. Africa World Press. ISBN 9780865439801.
- ↑ Gaikwad, Dr Hemantraje (2019). Shivaji Maharaj The Greatest (in हिन्दी). Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 9789353222628.
- ↑ http://murudjanjira.blogspot.in/ Template:User-generated source
- ↑ Gunaji, Milind (2003). Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra. Popular Prakashan. p. 23. ISBN 8171546692.
- ↑ Gunaji, Milind (2010). Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra. Popular Prakashan. p. 20 of 260. ISBN 978-8179915783. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ↑ Verma, Bharat (19 January 2010). Indian Defence Review, Volume 24 (illustrated ed.). Lancer Publishers, 2010. pp. 49, 156. ISBN 978-8170621720.
- ↑ Boyce, Carole Elizabeth (2008). Encyclopedia of the African Diaspora: Origins, Experiences, and Culture [3 volumes]: Origins, Experiences, and Culture. ABC-CLIO. p. 106. ISBN 978-1851097050.
- ↑ Cambridge illustrated atlas, warfare: Renaissance to revolution, 1492–1792 by Jeremy Black. p.17 [1]
- ↑ Hawley, John C. (25 June 2008). India in Africa, Africa in India: Indian Ocean Cosmopolitanisms. Indiana University Press. pp. 255–256. ISBN 978-0253003164.
- ↑ Ahmed, Farooqui Salma (2011). A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: Twelfth to the Mid-Eighteenth Century. Pearson Education India. p. 176. ISBN 978-8131732021.
- ↑ Roy, Kaushik (30 March 2011). War, Culture and Society in Early Modern South Asia, 1740-1849 (Volume 3 Asian States and Empires ed.). Taylor & Francis. p. 13. ISBN 9781136790874. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ↑ Kyd Nairne, Alexander (1894). History of the Konkan (Reprint ed.). Asian Educational Services. p. 71 of 131. ISBN 8120602757. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ↑ India, Lonely Planet.
- ↑ Advance Study in the History of Modern India (Volume-1: 1707-1803) By G.S.Chhabra
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