Murud-Janjira is a coastal town situated in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is 150 kms away from Mumbai. The town mostly survives on fishing business and tourism. There are many tourist spots in and around Murud-Janjira to explore. Situated near a nearby coastal town Revdanda, one such spot worth visiting is the Korlai fort. This fort is located 29 Kms North from Murud. It takes about an hour long drive from Murud to reach at the base of the fort.
The location of the Korlai fort had been strategically planned by Portuguese colonial rulers who built it on an island hill way back in 1846! The Portuguese called it ‘Castle Curlew’. The island on which it was build was named ‘Morro de Chaul’, which overlooks the Revdanda creek just across. With a vision of guarding their province, which spanned from the current day Korlai village (Raigad) to Bassein (Vasai- Thane district), the Portuguese procured permission from the Ahmednagar sultanate to build a fortification strong enough to keep a watch on invading enemies and thereby combat a possible attack.
A stone inscription installed in one of walls of the fort informs about the establishment of the fort. The inscription, which is carved in the Portuguese language reads- “This castle was commanded to be built by the Viceroy of India Dom Filipe Mascarenhas in November of the year 1646 and Fernão Miranda Henriques being Captain of Chaul, and was finished in May 1680, Cristóvão de Abreu de Azevedo being Captain of this fort.” Multiple attacks occurred on this magnificent fort. First attack was from the Ahmednagar sultanate and later the fort fell into Maratha custody from 1739-1818.
With so much of history witnessed by the fort, one can still sense the sturdiness and resilience in the character of the fort inspite of it being in a dilapidated state today. The road uphill to the base of the fort is very narrow and has edgy curves but anyone with a spirit of adventure would enjoy the trail uphill, till the lighthouse arrives. The lighthouse is situated at the base of the fort and is well maintained by the officials of Govt. of India. From the lighthouse starts a trek further uphill towards the fort. The view thereafter, after climbing 100 odd steps, mesmerizes one’s senses. After reaching the fort one heads towards the 2828 feet long plateau on which the fort is constructed. A sweet water source named ‘Santa Cruz’, a huge cannon pointing towards the Revdanda Creek and a church structure still stands intact in the premise of the fort.
Exploring such historical places creates an ultimate delight for people who yearn for solitude, calm and a magnificent 360 degree hilltop view. Here, it is natural to visualize the self getting morphed into a bird, soaring in the sky and watching the area below by gracefully gliding over the cool winds that flow around.
There are seven bastions in the fort which are named after Christian Saints (Didacus of Alcala, Francis of Assisi, Sao Francis Xavier, Sao Pedro, Sao Inacio, Sao Filipe). As one descends the fort, when the sun sets at the horizon, the Korlai fort landscape embraces you in its calm & serene arms!
All Photos Courtesy: Shraddha C. Sankulkar
