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PLACES
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FORTS
Kolaba forts of which there are about 37 may be divided into
two groups, nine coastal' forts [Of the nine coastal forts six are in Alibag taluka, viz. Kolaba fort, Portuguese or Agar fort, Sagargad, Khubladha, Khanderi and Underi and three are in Murud Peta,viz. Janjira, Korle and Padmadurg] and 28 inland forts.[ Of 28 inland forts six are in Karjat taluka, viz. Prabal, Bhivgad or Bhimgad, Gaurkamat, Tungi, Vishalgad and Kotaligad; three in Pen, viz. Patangad, Sankshi arid Songiri, four in Panvel; viz., Chanderi, Karnala or Funnel Hill, Manikgad and Feb or Vikatgad; four in Roha viz. Avachitgad, Birvadi, Ghosalgad and Surgad; three in Mangaon, viz. Talgad or Tale Fort, Mangad and Vishrarngad or the Fort of Ease, five in Mahad, viz., Chandragad, Kangori or Mangalagad, Kaula, Lingana, or the Ling-shaped and Rayagad or the Royal Fort; two in Sudhagad viz., Sarasgad anSudhagad Fort and one in Alibag viz. Hirakot or Diamond Fort.]
Most of the inland forts are either on the main range of the Sahyadri hills lying north-south to the west of the district or on its various off shoots running east-west and scattered over the whole length of the district. Almost all of the forts whether coastal or inland are built on some natural site of advantage, commanding the sea or a creek in case of coastal forts and in the hill ranges on some project-ing spur or rock or above a great natural scarp. Coastal lands were vulnerable to the attack from the sea and powerful naval fleets were maintained for the defence of such attack even in those times. Examples can be cited of naval commanders gradually becoming so powerful as to abandon the overlordship of the king and starting a career as a pirate. The coastal forts built at suitable places were built to defend an attack from the sea and to keep a close watch on the movements on the sea. In the construction and the inner arrangement they resemble the inland forts. All inland forts were built on the same principle; the hill top of the spur girt by a wall and strengthened by many bastions. On any slope or place likely to invite approach, an outwork was built and joined with the main fort by a passage between a double wall. The entrance, seldom more than one was generally the strongest and most noticeable part. The outer gateway was protected by a bastion on each side and often by a tower above. Entering this, a narrow passage winding between two high walls led to the inner gate in the face of the main wall. This arrangement, at a time when guns could not compete with stone walls, rendered the gates almost unapproachable. Inside the main wall there was generally an inner fortress or citadel, and surrounding this the buildings required for the troops, magazines, reservoirs and wells. In many of the larger forts, massive round towers were built upon the wall of the main works on the least accessible side. The larger forts had generally a town (peth) clustered about or near the base of the
hill. Most of these forts, built either by the Muslims or by the Portuguese (1300-1600), were repaired by Sivajl about the middle of the seventeenth century, and were either taken by the British about 1774 or handed over to them about 1817. When taken by the British they were in a state of disrepair. Except Rayagad, Jahjira, Korai, Karnala and a few others which have either been repaired from time to time or have sustained well the ravages of time, all are now from weather and the growth of creepers and wall-trees more or less ruined.
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