Stories
Discover Murud-Janjira: The Unconquered 450-Year-Old Sea Fort
- •Murud-Janjira Fort is a formidable 450-year-old sea fortress located in the birthplace of veteran actor Nana Patekar.
- •Built in 1567 by Malik Ambar, the island stronghold successfully resisted attacks from the Marathas, Mughals, Portuguese, and the English East India Company.
- •Despite being surrounded by the salty Arabian Sea, the fort remarkably houses two deep freshwater ponds within its ancient walls.
- •The fortress once functioned as a fully sustained settlement complete with residential quarters, a mosque, and hundreds of defensive cannons.
- •Visitors can reach the historic island by taking a 20-minute boat ride from the nearby coastal village of Rajapuri.
Key Questions Answered
The Murud-Janjira Fort is a 450-year-old island fortress built in 1567 AD by Malik Ambar, which later became a stronghold of the Siddis. It successfully withstood repeated attacks by the Marathas, Mughals, Portuguese, and the English East India Company.
Visitors traveling to the Murud-Janjira Fort must take a boat from the nearby coastal village of Rajapuri for a roughly 20-minute journey across the water. The approach allows visitors to view the massive walls of the island fortress as they get closer.
The Maritime Board decided to close the fort for three months starting May 26 due to rough monsoon weather, stormy winds, and increased sea waves that make the boat journey hazardous. The historic site is scheduled to reopen to the public in September.
