Nivati fort

Nivati Fort is a historic sea fort situated in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, India, approximately 10 kilometers south of Malvan. Perched on a hill near Nivati village, the structure overlooks the strategic Karli creek and Vengurla port. Built in 1664 by the legendary Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj shortly after the construction of Sindhudurg Fort, it was designed using red laterite stone. The fort spans an area of four to five acres and stands at a height of 300 feet, featuring dense vegetation across its grounds. Its architectural layout includes well-preserved gates and bastions, surrounded by a formidable moat that is 20 feet wide and 10 feet deep, which originally served as a primary defense mechanism against invaders.

The fortress holds significant historical value due to its turbulent history of changing hands among various regional powers. After its initial Maratha control, it was captured by the Sawants of Sawantwadi, followed by Ismail Khan under Portuguese employment in 1748, and later by the Karvirkar of Kolhapur in 1787. Control returned to the Sawants in 1803 before the British East India Company's H.M. IV Rifles seized the fort without resistance in February 1818. It subsequently remained under British rule until Indian independence in 1947. Today, the fort is privately owned but remains open to the public in good condition. Visitors can explore the site within an hour to enjoy panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and spot the distant Nivati Rock Lighthouse, making it a notable destination for history enthusiasts and tourists alike.