The is rid fortress constructed by shivaji of he Malvan coast long famed for its witching beach and authentic food Lore on a low mass of Rock called lirte, barely half a mile from the itilvan shore, shivaji with the assisi ince of over 100 protuguese ex-pills, constructed Sindhudurg. On 5th liocember 1664 Shivaji laid the found.ition of the fort. At a site personally elected by him Literally, the ocean irt, the sentinal of sindhusagar is a ili‘fitting reply to Murud Janjira, the irtand strong hold of the siddis.
The strength of Sindhudurg-a iiirt earmarked to be the head Quariors of the Maratha Navy, but not dostined to achieve this honour is ipparent from the choppy Ride from lie Malavanpier, It is approachable .inly through a narrow navigable liannel between the two smaller is-kinds of Dhontara and Padmagad a largest distances compared to its misleading proximity to the main Lind, as viewed from Rajkot.
Yet inhabited, the extensive Ili acre fort is surrounded by almost Iwo miles' long Rampart walls, 30ft high and on an average 1271 thick. van from the many observation tow
ers over 50 enormous, imposing semi-circular bastions with fine embrasures for eannons yet stands.
From here, the big guns must have roared and opened fire on Sea-faring invaders from neighbouring surerainties and foreign pow'ers. The British after conquering the ft:it in 1812 and renaming it fort, Augustus dismantled the forts defence structures.
Today SindhuDurg recalls the memory of its founder, shivaji through a temple the only one of its kind in the country where his image is worshipped. Constructed during the rule of his son Rajaram, the Shri Shiva Chhatrapati Mandir houses a round faced image seated in Maharajaveerasana Royal pose, without a beard and a crown befitting a deity bearing no resem balance, what so ever to the conventional image of the warrior builder.
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