|
Built on a rock island near Alibag town, 112kms south of Mumbai, the Kulaba fort
is an imposing structure, measuring roughly 275 metres from north to south and 100
metres from east to west. At low tide one can walk across to the fort. The height
of the fort-wall varies from 6 to 8 metres at different places. It has a wide parapet
with 17 bastions. The main gateway of the fort, called Maha Darwaja, is in the north-east
corner and faces the city. The teak-door had strong iron-spikes driven in them.
There is also a small gate on its southern side. The masonry of the fort is without
lime mortar. Inside the fort there is a fresh water tank, a well and several temples.
In the northern corner of the parapet, there still stands two English canons facing
the open sea. To the south of the fort was ship-dock, visible even now at low-tide.
|
|
The Kolaba fort was Chhatrapati Shivaji’s last construction and was completed almost
on the eve of his death in April, 1680. it attained importance under the Angres
and was the main base of the Maratha navy. It had palaces for the members of Kanhoji
Angre family, houses for their officers and storing arrangements for grain and other
necessities. None of the buildings have survived. The rule of Kanhoji Angre, who
was also known as Kulabkar, came to an end in 1840 AD.
|