# Dativare fort

- **Country:** India

Dativare Fort, also known as Hira Dongar, is a historic sea fort situated in the Palghar district of Maharashtra, India. Located approximately 72 kilometers from Vasai, the structure stands on a commanding small hillock beside the Vaitarna River, which flows toward the nearby Arnala Fort. Rising to a height of 300 feet and constructed primarily from stone, the fort occupies a strategic position along the Malabar sea coast. Although specific construction records are scarce, historical evidence suggests it was originally built by the Portuguese Empire around the mid-16th century. The site subsequently saw control shift to the British East India Company in 1755, followed by administration under the British Raj until India gained independence in 1947.

Today, Dativare Fort exists in a ruined condition, with only a few walls and dilapidated bastions remaining for visitors to explore. Despite its deteriorated state, the site is owned by the Government of India and remains open to the public. Access has been significantly improved in recent years; while the base village of Datiware is located about 15 to 20 kilometers from the nearest railway town of Saphale, a safe and wide road now leads directly up to the fort entrance. The journey from the roadhead to the gate typically takes about thirty minutes on foot, making it an accessible destination for history enthusiasts and trekkers alike.

The historical significance of Dativare Fort lies in its role as part of the coastal defense network during the colonial era, reflecting the maritime struggles between European powers and local dynasties. While very little detailed history is documented beyond its probable Portuguese origins, its inclusion in lists of Maratha Empire structures indicates its relevance in regional military history. Visitors traveling to the Konkan region can combine a trip to the fort with stays in nearby towns like Saphale or Edwan, where hotels and refreshments are available. The site offers a quiet glimpse into the past for those interested in the 16th-century fortifications that once guarded the Indian coastline.

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dativare_fort (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)