Murud-Janjira Fort is an island sea fort in Murud, Murud taluka, Raigad district, Maharashtra — 165 km from Mumbai. Built by the Siddi Sultans of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate in the 15th–16th century, Janjira (from Arabic "Jazira" meaning island) is the only sea fort on India's west coast that was NEVER captured — successfully repelling the Marathas (under Shivaji and his son Sambhaji), the Portuguese, and the British East India Company across 300 years of siege attempts.
Murud-Janjira Fort
India's Unconquered Sea Fort — 22 Bastions Rising Undefeated from the Arabian Sea
A Glimpse into History of Murud-Janjira
Siddi Sultanate Origins (15th Century)
Murud-Janjira was originally a small island used by local Koli fishermen called "Medhekot." The Siddi rulers (of East African origin, brought to India as soldiers and slaves by Arab traders) captured the island in the 15th century and built a formidable sea fort with 22 bastions, vertical 40-ft walls rising directly from the sea, and three massive iron cannons — Kalal Bangadi, Chavri, and Landa Kasam — that could fire simultaneously in 360°.
Shivaji's Failed Siege Attempts
Shivaji Maharaj made multiple attempts to capture Janjira — including a secret underwater tunnel excavation project (reportedly begun but abandoned) and a naval siege with 160 boats in 1676 that was repelled. His son Sambhaji also failed. The fort's unique design — with no beach or land approach, walls rising sheer from the sea, and secret fresh-water wells inside — made it impregnable to even the Maratha Navy's finest assault tactics.
Sid-di Dynasty & British Relations
The Siddi rulers of Janjira (called the Nawabs of Janjira) eventually allied with the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb against Shivaji — a historically complex alignment that helped them preserve the fort's independence. After Maratha power declined, the Siddis maintained Janjira's autonomy under a British protectorate arrangement until Indian independence in 1947. The last Nawab of Janjira, Mohammad Khan Siddiqui, merged the state with India in 1948.
Military & Architectural Significance
Murud-Janjira's 22 bastions, 19 interior structures (including a mosque, two palaces, a granary, and guard towers), and three giant 400-year-old cannons remain in exceptional condition — rated by military historians as one of the best-preserved examples of 16th-century Siddi island fort architecture in South Asia. Its concentric defensive water moat (the sea itself), 40-ft walls, and freshwater wells make it a textbook example of island fort engineering.
Events & Experiences
Janjira Fort Boat Excursion (Year-Round)
The boat ride from Rajpuri Jetty (3 km from Murud town) to Janjira Fort takes 15 minutes. Shared boats operate 8 AM–6 PM daily (₹30–50 per person). The approach by sea — watching the 40-ft walls rise straight out of the water as you near the fort — is among India's most dramatic heritage arrival experiences. The fort interior visit takes 45–90 minutes.
Murud Eid Celebrations
Murud town has a significant Muslim population (descendants of the Siddi community and Arab-origin traders) making Eid celebrations here culturally distinctive within Maharashtra. The Murud Eid procession passes by the Shahi Mosque and along the beachfront — followed by a community feast that draws visitors from across Raigad district. The Siddi community's unique East African-Indian cultural heritage expressions are most visible during Eid.
Did You Know?
Shivaji allegedly attempted to excavate a secret underwater tunnel from the Konkan shore to the island of Janjira — a tunnel that would allow Maratha soldiers to enter the fort by night without boats. Local fishermen near Rajpuri Creek claim a partially excavated tunnel exists 3 m below the sea floor, discovered by divers in the 1970s. If proven, it would be India's oldest attempted military tunnel — a 17th-century underwater engineering project predating similar efforts in European warfare by decades.
Travel Guide to Murud-Janjira Fort
How to Reach
By Air: Mumbai Airport (BOM) — 165 km via NH-66 and Pen; ~3.5 hrs. Atal Setu (Trans Harbour Link, 2024) reduces Mumbai to Alibaug approach by 45 min.
By Train: Roha Railway Station — 75 km; hire taxi to Murud (~1.5 hrs). Pen Station — 60 km; slightly faster route.
By Road: Mumbai → Atal Setu → Alibag → Murud (165 km, ~3 hrs post-2024). Pre-Atal Setu route: via Pen NH-66 → Murud (~3.5 hrs). Ferry from Mandwa (Gateway of India) saves 45 min.
Best Time to Visit
October to May for boat trips and fort visits. November–February is ideal — calm seas, 25–30°C, and 8–10 daily boat departures. Monsoon (June–September): boat service to fort suspended during rough seas (June–August completely closed). September–October: boats resume but check wave conditions. Visit on weekdays to avoid weekend tourist boats that can be overcrowded — the fort's interior is best explored in relative quiet.
Local Attractions Nearby
Murud Beach: 1 km from fort jetty — clean 4-km beach with Murud Palace ruins.
Kasa Fort: 8 km inland — small Maratha hill fort with panoramic sea views.
Alibaug: 45 km north — Kolaba Fort and Rajpuri Creek beaches.
Diveagar Beach: 80 km south — pristine turtle nesting beach.
Tips for Visitors
Take the first boat at 8 AM from Rajpuri Jetty — the fort is cooler and light for photography is best in early morning. Last boat returns at 5:30 PM — do not miss it or you stay overnight.
Wear slip-on shoes — the fort's interior stone floors are uneven and partially flooded in patches. Sandals with grip are better than closed shoes for the wet rock surfaces near cannon positions.
Photography: the 3 giant cannons (Kalal Bangadi, Chavri, Landa Kasam) and the 40-ft walls from the interior northeast bastion offer the most dramatic fort photos. Bring a wide-angle lens.
Park at Murud town (Rs 20–50) and take an auto to Rajpuri Jetty (3 km). No parking at jetty. The 3-km Rajpuri Creek walk at low tide is a scenic alternative to auto on Sunday mornings.