Formerly known as Jazeera Mahroob Jazeera, Murud Janjira fort is one of the most popular forts in Maharashtra. Janjira fort is situated on the island near Rajapuri village at the west coast of India. Jazeera means island in the Arabic language. This island fort remains undefeated throughout its history though there were many unsuccessful attacks by Marathas, Portuguese and Mughals. Many people come to see Murud Janjira beach and the Janjira Killa round the year.
Murud Janjira fort holds a strategic value. The Nawabs of Janjira ruled the region until it became part of Indian Territory after the independence. There is a Palace of the Nawabs of Janjira at Murud which boasts the pride and heydays of this region.
There are also many hotels available at Murud Janjira to stay. You can also have a homestay at Murud if you want to enjoy the local hospitality. You can explore Murud Janjira fort and then enjoy the beautiful sunset from the beach. Next day you can head towards the Padmadurg fort which is nearby.
The history of Murud Janjira fort and Padmadurg is very interesting which we are going to see in a bit. Let’s see some important things you should know before visiting Murud Janjira fort.
Contents
- Murud Janjira fort under a minute
- How can you reach Murud Janjira?
- How to go to Murud Janjira fort?
- Murud Janjira fort History
- What to see at the Murud Janjira Fort
- What to do after you explore the Murud Janjira Fort
- Padmadurg (Kasa fort)
- Where to stay at Murud?
- FAQs
- Murud Janjira fort images
Murud Janjira fort – undefeated Island fort on the west coast of India
Difficulty Level: Easy
Type of fort: Island Fort
Best time to visit Murud Janjira fort: Round the year, avoid monsoon season
Distance from Mumbai: 146 km
Base village: Rajapuri Village, Murud
The time needed to reach Murud Janjira fort: 30 min (by boat jetty)
How can you reach Murud Janjira?
Murud Janjira is located in Raigad district of Maharashtra on the west coast of India. Murud Janjira Fort is on an island near Rajapuri village which is around 6 km away from Murud. As one of the popular tourist attractions in Maharashtra, Murud Janjira is well connected by roads.
There is a state transport service available to reach this place. Murud Janjira is around 54 km away from Alibag and 22 km away from the famous Kashid beach. The nearest railway station would be Roha which is around 41 km away.
How to go to Murud Janjira fort?
There is boat service available from the Rajapuri village till the Murud Janjira Fort. It will take less than 30 minutes to reach the entrance of the fort. The boat ferry starts in the morning and runs till the evening. You will get around 45 minutes to explore the fort and come back to the same boat.
Remember, the same boat will take you to the fort and drop you back. There are no other means to go to Murud Janjira fort except the ferry boat. Hiring a guide would be a wise idea. He/she will show you all the important worth seeing places on the fort. With little bargaining, you will get to see the complete fort in less than 45 minutes. And you can come back to your boat in a time.
Murud Janjira fort History
Murud Janjira fort has strategic importance. The history goes back to the 16th century. The chief of locals, Raja Ramrao Patil built the wooden structure at the Janjira island to keep an eye on the region and to protect their shipments from the pirates. He took permission from Ahmednagar Nizam sultanate but later refused to obey the orders. Nizam sent Piram Khan to capture the island. Piram Khan with the Nizam’s orders captured the Janjira island.
Later in the 17th century, Malik Ambar, the minister under the Ahmednagar sultanate built the Janjira Fort. At the beginning of the 18th century, Siddis captured the fort and ruled the region for many years until it became part of the Indian Territory.
What to see at the Murud Janjira Fort
There are many worth seeing things on the fort. The gigantic cannons are one of the major attractions.
Gigantic Cannons
There were more than 500 cannons on the fort in the time of Siddis. You will get to see 3 gigantic cannons on the fort named Kalalbangdi, Chavri and Landa Kasam. These cannons are made of ‘Panchdhatu’ and the temperature of these cannons remains normal even in the summer afternoon. The 22 ton Kalal Bangdi cannon is the largest among all and also the 3rd largest cannon in India.
Sculpture at gate
At the entrance of the Murud Janjira fort, there is the sculpture of a tiger-like animal holding elephants in each of its limbs and tail. It boasts the power of the Janjira’s Siddis.
Darya Darvaja
The main gate of the Janjira fort can be seen only if you get close to the fort. This is one of the key features of the fort as it creates confusion among the people whoever tries to attack the fort. There is another door at the west side of the fort named as ‘Darya Darvaja’. It is used for a secret escape. People also say that there is a tunnel route from Janjira to the nearest village which is under the sea. The guide will definitely give you interesting details of these routes.
Freshwater lakes
There are two natural freshwater lakes on the fort. These lakes are around 60 feet deep and provide potable water round the year.
Ruins of Queens’ Palace
There was a Queen’s Palace near one of the lakes. Locals say that there were 7 colour glass designs on the Queens’ Palace. And when sunlight was falling on the glass it was creating a rainbow colour reflection on the lake water.
3 Storey Durbar
You will see ruins of the castles and the three-storey Durbar in the middle of the fort. You can walk to the highest point of the fort. From here you will get a 360 degree-view of the surrounding and realize the strategic importance of the fort.
There are ruins of quarters, wooden doors, palaces, mosque and many other historical structures on the fort.
What to do after you explore the Murud Janjira Fort
It will take around 2 hours to explore the Murud Janjira fort. Even if you want to spend more time on the fort, you don’t really have a choice. You need to travel by boat to reach the fort. The same boat will take you to the fort and will drop you back at the Rajapuri village. They give 45 minutes to explore the fort. I will recommend you to hire a local guide. He will show you all the major attractions on the fort.
After coming back to the Rajapuri village, you can head towards the Murud to see the Palace of the Nawabs of Janjira. The massive palace will tell you the complete story of the power and the prosperity of this region.
Don’t miss the sunset view from the Murud Janjira beach. You can spend an hour or so on the Murud beach and head towards your hotel.
You can also visit Ghosalgad fort which is nearby. This fort is around 30 km away from Murud Janjira fort. The rulers of Janjira used this fort as an outpost.
Island fort – Padmadurg (Kasa fort)
Padmadurg or Kasa fort is an island fort near Murud. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj built this fort to capture the Janjira. Padma means lotus in the Marathi language. There is a Buruj (Tower) which has lotus flower-like structure, that’s why the fort is called as Padmadurg.
To go to Padmadurg, you need to hire a private boat. It will charge you around 2000-3000 Indian rupees. There is no regular ferry boat to visit Padmadurg.
You can see many cannons on the fort. There are actually two fort structures on the island, the main Padmadurg fort and another Buruj nearby. There are ruins of quarters and water tanks on the fort. You will also see a temple and a mosque on the fort.
Where to stay at Murud?
There are many hotels available near Murud. You can have a homestay in the village. Murud Janjira is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Maharashtra. You can explore the fort in the morning then after coming back to the Rajapuri village enjoy the local cuisine. Spend some time on a Murud Beach and enjoy the beautiful sunset. Next day, head towards the Kashid beach or Alibag to enjoy the water sport.
FAQs
Who built Murud Janjira fort?
Raja Ramrao Patil built the wooden structure on the Janjira island for the protection from the pirates. Later when Ahmednagar sultanate captured the island, Malik Ambar, a minister in the Ahmednagar sultanate built the Murud Janjira fort. He did the fortification on the fort using the rocks on the island itself.
Who Captured Janjira?
In the 16th century, Raja Ramrao Patil, chief of locals, built the wooden structure on the Janjira Island with the permissions of Ahmednagar sultanate. When he refused to obey the orders, they send Piram Khan to capture the fort. Piram khan killed all the people on the island and captured the Janjira fort. Later, Malik Ambar did the fortification on the island. At the beginning of the 18th century, Siddis captured the Janjira fort and ruled the region.
Why they built Murud Janjira fort?
Murud Janjira fort has strategic importance. The local fishermen built the Janjira fort to protect their ships from the pirates. It was easy to rule the entire region from the Janjira fort. Also, the fort has the natural protection from the surrounding ocean, which made the Janjira fort almost impossible to capture. And it remained undefeated throughout its history.
How Kondaji Baba died?
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj sent Kondaji Farzand, a Maratha warrior, to Janjira Fort to keep an eye on Siddi’s moves. Kondaji Farzand was on the secret mission to capture the Janjira fort. The plan was to befriend with Siddis and attack on his artillery and ammunition. But he was betrayed and his identity was revealed by the inside mole. Siddi took Kondaji Farzand as a captive and killed him.
When was Murud Janjira fort built?
Murud Janjira fort was built in the 17th century by Malik Ambar, a minister in the Ahmednagar Sultanate. Before that, there was a wooden structure built by the locals for the protection of their ships from the pirates.
How far is Murud Janjira from Alibag?
Murud Janjira is 54 km away from Alibag. Murud Janjira is well connected by road. You can come by bus or by private vehicle.
How can I reach Murud Janjira from Alibag?
There is state transport service available from Alibag to Murud Janjira. You can also hire a cab at an affordable rate. If you are coming by your own vehicle then the 54km drive will take you to the Murud Janjira from Alibag.
How far is Murud from Mumbai?
Murud is around 146km away from Mumbai. You can take the route of Mumbai-Panvel-pen-Alibag-Kashid-Murud.
Which Fort Shivaji Maharaj never won?
Murud Janjira fort remained undefeated throughout its history until it finally became part of Indian Territory. There were many unsuccessful attacks by Marathas, Portuguese and Mughals on Janjira fort but no one able to win the mighty Janjira fort.
Who built Padmadurg?
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj built the Padmadurg on an island near Murud. Padmadurg was built to capture the Murud Janjira fort, but the fort remained undefeated.
Murud Janjira fort images
