# Devgad fort

- **Country:** India

Devgad Fort, also known as Janjira Devgad Fort, is a historic sea fort situated approximately five kilometers from Devgad town in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, India. Constructed in 1729 by Dattajirao Angre using laterite stone, the structure rises to a height of 250 feet and occupies a strategic position on the Konkan Coast. Its unique geographical layout features sea boundaries on three sides, with the southern edge connected directly to the mainland. This defensive positioning made it a crucial stronghold for the Maratha Empire, particularly under the prolonged control of the renowned naval commander Kanhoji Angre.

The fort holds significant historical value due to its role in regional maritime conflicts and its resistance against colonial powers. Notably, Walter Brown of the British East India Company attempted to seize the fort with the aid of local Wadikar Sawants but suffered heavy losses in the failed endeavor. It eventually fell to British forces in April 1818 under Colonel Imlack following the decline of the Maratha Empire. The site subsequently remained under British control through the East India Company and the Raj until India gained independence in 1947. Today, the fort is owned by the Government of India and is open to the public, though it currently exists in a ruined state.

Despite its dilapidated condition, several key features remain intact within the complex. Visitors can explore a Ganesh temple located inside the fort walls, along with three preserved cannons and bastions that are reported to be in good condition. A lighthouse stands on one side of the installation, marking its continued relevance to coastal navigation. As a prominent example of 18th-century military architecture in the region, Devgad Fort serves as both a tourist attraction in the Konkan area and a testament to the maritime prowess of the Angre family and the Maratha naval history.

![Photo of Devgad fort](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Devgad_fort.JPG)

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