5 sea forts in Maharashtra that once ruled the Arabian coastline

Forget landlocked forts, and visit Maharashtra to where forts just don’t overlook the sea, but actually rise out of it. Once guardians of the Arabian coastline, these sea forts were those vast structures that served as coastal watchdogs, keeping pirates, invaders, and unwanted guests at bay. Today, they stand as stunning reminders of Maratha valor, and British intrigue, all with waves lapping at their stone walls. From boat rides to breathtaking sunsets, these forts aren’t just relics of history, they’re adventure-packed destinations waiting to be explored.

Let’s take a look at the sea forts in Maharashtra:

This fort is located on a rocky island near the coastal town of Murud in Raigad district and is also considered one of the strongest coastal forts in India. This fort was earlier a wooden structure but then was transformed into a stone fortress by Malik Ambar, who was the regent of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate in the 16th century. The fort has 26 artillery towers and also has large cannons like the famous Kalaal Baangadi. The fort houses a mosque, residential quarters, and two freshwater ponds in it, which gives it a unique feature. The Murud-Janjira Fort is a major tourist attraction that also offers scenic views of the Arabian Sea.

The Sindhudurg Fort is located on a small island near Malvan in Sindhudurg district. This fort was designed in a way that it would be able to counter European colonial powers and the Siddis of Janjira. The fort was designed to be impenetrable, with massive stone walls, hidden entry points, and strong bastions to repel enemy attacks. The main entrance of the fort is concealed and has a robust design that made it difficult for enemies to capture it. Commissioned by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, this fort served as a major naval base and is now a protected monument.

Located near Harnai in Konkan, this fort was initially constructed by the Adil Shah dynasty and was later turned into a maritime fort and a naval base at the time of Shivaji Maharaj. This fort was mainly built as a barrier against the colonialists of Europe and also by the local chieftains. One can reach this fort by boat as it lies on a rocky island. Earlier, there was a tunnel that connected the mainland with the island but it is either lost or sealed. This fort is quite majestic and is open to visitors today. History lovers should definitely visit this fort as it is a glimpse into the past.

Also known as Colaba Fort, it is located in the Konkan region and is close to Alibaug. This fort was constructed in 1680–81 under the rule of Shivaji Maharaj. It served as a naval defense fortress which helped in controlling the maritime traffic in the Arabian Sea. What makes this fort unique are freshwater wells inside the fort, as well as multiple temples like the Siddhivinayak, stone bastions, and cannons. People can easily visit this fort during low tides by walking or come by boats during high tides. This fort is a great example of Maratha naval architecture.

Smaller forts located near Mumbai were built during the reign of Shivaji Maharaj to strengthen Maratha naval power. Both of these forts played a very important role earlier; the Khanderi tower acted as a watchtower while the Underi fort complemented the other in regional maritime surveillance and defense. Both of these forts guarded any approaches to the shore of Mumbai and played a great role in naval control. One can reach these forts by boat today to get a glimpse into their significant role in the Maratha coastal defense.