Kolaba Fort, Alibaug
Kolaba fort, Alibag Overview
Situated amidst the sea and surrounded by waters of Arabian sea from all sides, Kolaba fort or Alibag fort is one of the most important tourist attraction in Alibag. It is a 300-year old fort which was once chief naval stations during the reign of Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra. This isolated military fortification located amidst the Arabian sea is a spectacular sight. Located not more than 2 kilometres from the Alibaug beach, it can be reached by foot during low tides, but during high tides, a boat must be hired. The walk is quiet and scenic as the area is scarcely populated with only a few beachgoers here and there.
The area within the fort itself is dotted with historical artefacts and vestiges such as cannons and carvings of animals and birds on the fort walls. Old temple buildings are also present here. Although the mighty fort is in the middle of the sea, surrounded by water on all four sides, an important hallmark is the presence of freshwater well in the fort premises. A temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, built by Raghoji Angre in the year 1759, is also present in the premises and is still worshipped by the fishermen from the area.
History of Kolaba Fort
For hundreds of years, the Kolaba Fort served as a shelter and stronghold for the armies of the Shivaji empire and later the Portuguese and the East India Company. This was one of the many forts captured by Shivaji Maharaj’s army in the 17th century, and it is said that the Alibaug Fort was supposedly his last construction project before his demise.
Its reinforcement was completed by Shivaji Maharaj’s prodigal son, Sambhaji Maharaja, after his untimely death in 1680. The authority of the fort was given to Darya Sagar and Manik Bhandari, two sardars of Shivaji Maharaja’s army, until Kanhoji Angre, the admiral of the Maratha navy took over command in 1713 until his death in 1729. During these years, British ships were havocked by occasional raids and loots of possessions by the Maratha Navy.
The battle of 1721 is the most notable of the battles fought here, where the British and Portuguese armies conspired to attack Kolaba but were unsuccessful due to various reasons. The Kolaba Fort once housed gardens, stables, treasuries and other buildings, most of which were exhumed and destroyed during fires.