The agenda for today was to finish the breakfast early and head for the “Kille Janjira” a sea port at 0800 hours. The team was attired, fed and ready on the appointed time. We headed for Dighi in our Qualis. From here we took the ferry that chugs between Dighi and Danda Rajapuri. It was a 15 minutes journey. The sea gulls started following the ferry for their usual breakfast. The ferry churned the water and brought the fish to the surface, the gulls were fishing these fish out and feasting on them med air.
There were lcal people traveling on the ferry. The lady was happy to have her snap taken. After the snap she took it upon herself to direct Abhay’s photographic efforts.
From Danda Rajapuri we chartered a boat to take us to Janjira. Janjira is a sea fort built by African merchant called “habshi” by locals in 1118. It took them 37 years to complete the fort. The fort was built from the blocks cut from the rock on which is standing on. While the tide was out the workers would work on the ramparts. When the tide came in, they would work on the buildings in the fort.
The Siddhis were a cruel lot. They were also trading in slaves along with the spices. The first Peshva – Balaji Vishwanath, his brother and his mother were sold to these people, they could have been taken to other shores but they were bought back by his mama and the rest is a known history.
This is the carving near the fort entrance, a tiger, holding six elephants, four in it’s four paws, one in it’s mouth and one in it’s tail. This also used to be imprinted on their coins.
The buildings inside are pretty much in ruins.
Twice in the history attempts were made to win this fort. Once by Sambhaji and then by Chimaji Appa ( Bajirao first’s brother) but on both occasions they had to leave the campaign due to pressing matters near home. The fort is difficult to conquer. There are 22 watchtowers surounding the fort. The watch was posted on all of them 24 x 7.
Any enemy approaching could be hit by the mighty guns. This one is called KalalBangadi.
The tide was moving in fast. We hurried back to Dive Agar. The rest of the day was spent in playing modified beach ball on “saravalele angan” , frolicking on the beach and hogging the great food.
Wandering Ranade 