Arnala Fort Information Arnala Killa Information in English

 

Arnala Fort Information
Arnala Killa Information in English

• Location :

Arnala Fort is a sea fort (Jaldurg) situated on a marine island near the estuary of the Vaitarna River, which originates in the Trimbakeshwar mountain range of Maharashtra and flows towards the Konkan region.

• Height :

This is a sea fort, and the height of its walls is approximately 30 to 35 feet above sea level.

• How to Reach the Fort :

Arnala is a sea fort located in Vasai taluka of Palghar district (earlier Thane district), Maharashtra.

• From Virar on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad highway, one can reach Agashi village near the Arnala fort seashore by bus. There is a Koli (fishermen) settlement there.

From this place, one can travel by boat to the nearby Arnala island. The fort is situated on this island.

• Arnala Fort is located at a distance of about 12 to 15 kilometers from Virar.

• Mumbai is an internationally connected coastal city of India. From Mumbai, one can travel to Virar and further to Arnala Fort.

• As this is a sea fort, it can also be reached via sea route.

Places to See at Arnala Fort :

• After reaching Arnala from Virar, one comes to a Koli settlement. Passenger boats are available here from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Through these boats, one can undertake a sea journey and reach the island where Arnala Fort is located.

• After getting down on the island, a settlement of about 300 houses is found. This village has a population of nearly 3,000 people.

By following the road passing through this settlement, one can reach Arnala Fort.

Below is the same-to-same (faithful) English translation of the given Marathi text, with no information omitted.

(Suitable for fort history notes, blogs, or educational content)

Main Gateway and Bastions

Mahadwar and Buruj – 

• Main Gateway and Bastions :

Passing through the settlement, we reach the northern gate of the fort. This is a stone-built gateway standing between two tall and strong bastions, which still exists today. On the inner side of the gate, devadas (guard chambers) are present.

Beautiful carvings can be seen on the gateway. Sculptures of a sacred creature formed from the combination of an elephant, a tiger, and marine animals are visible. The sacred Hindu flower, the lotus, is also carved here.

A Peshwa-period inscription can be seen, which mentions the reconstruction of the fort.

Creeper and floral carvings are visible on the arch of the gateway. After entering through the gate, a domed ceiling can be seen. Devadas were constructed to provide shelter for soldiers for rest and for guards posted at the gate.

• Stairway to Reach the Bastion :

After entering through the main gate, a stepped pathway leads to the adjacent bastion and takes us to the top of the bastion.

• Bastion :

Upon reaching the upper part of the bastion located next to the main gate, a clear view of the coastline and the sea can be seen. At this place, many loopholes (jangyas) and cannon openings (phanjyas) are visible.

The loopholes were used for firing guns and arrows, while the cannon openings were built for firing cannons. Nearby, a small pathway leads downward, through which a direct attack could be launched on enemies attacking the gate.

• Fortification (Ramparts) :

Around the fort, a strong fortification as wide as a small cart road has been constructed. Even today, it can be seen in very good condition. Loopholes are visible at several places. The height of this fortification is approximately 30 to 35 feet.

• Bastions :

For ensuring security on all sides of the fort, strong bastions were constructed during that period. Here, nine bastions can be seen, including Bava Bastion, Bhavani Bastion, and Ganesh Bastion.

Below is the same-to-same (faithful) English translation of the given Marathi text, with no information omitted.

(Suitable for fort documentation, blogs, or educational reference)

Ganesh Bastion and Other Structures

• Ganesh Bastion :

The most attractive and strongly constructed bastion on the fort is the Ganesh Bastion. This bastion has loopholes (jangyas) and cannon openings (phanjyas). On the upper side of this bastion, shelter rooms were also constructed. One section of this bastion even had roof tiles (kavels).

Along with this, a strong covered doorway passage is visible for descending from the bastion. Holes meant for securing the door can also be seen at this place. While descending through this passage, niches (devadas) have been carved at several places to allow light. After descending from the bastion, many chambers built for soldiers’ rest can be seen.

• Ganesh Bastion Gate :

Ganesh Bastion has a grand gate, which is located on the inner side and therefore is generally not visible to enemies. Near this gate, several residential quarters for soldiers can be seen.

• Square Bastion :

Apart from the other bastions on the fort, there is also a square-shaped bastion with a different architectural design.

• Secure Shelter Room Adjacent to the Bastion :

Adjacent to this bastion, a secure shelter room can also be seen.

• Roofless Bastion :

One of the bastions on the fort has lost its roof. At this place, two stepped stairways are visible for ascending and descending the bastion.

• Pachalingeshwar Trimbakeshwar Mahadev Temple :

After the Peshwas captured this fort, victory was achieved by the grace of Lord Shiva. Therefore, a Shiva temple was constructed here. In this temple, Nandi and the Shiva Linga (Pindi) can be seen.

• Octagonal Tank :

An octagonal water tank is located in front of the temple. During the excavation of the tank, ancient idols were discovered. These idols of Lord Ganesh and Lord Hanuman have been installed on the bank of the tank. The idol of Lord Ganesh with a very beautiful long trunk is especially attractive.

• Datt Temple :

In this area, a Datt (Dattatreya) temple has also been constructed.

• Hazrat Shah Ali Dargah :

Inside the fort, a dargah is located, known as Hazrat Shah Ali Dargah.

In the dargah area (premises), the graves of Shah Ali and Haji Ali can be seen.

• Remains of Ruined Wadas and Structures :

While moving around the fort, remains of ruined structures can be seen. These buildings were constructed as residences for the fort commander (Kiledar), other service staff, officers, as well as visiting Sardars and Darya Sarang who came for official duties.

• Wells Inside the Fort :

Inside the fort, five to six wells can be seen, which fulfilled the requirement of drinking water and daily use water.

• Kalika Mata Temple and Nityanand Maharaj Paduka :

At a short distance from the main gate of the fort, the Kalika Mata Temple can be seen. A beautiful spire (kalash), an exquisitely carved assembly hall on the inside, and a beautiful idol of Kalika Mata in the sanctum sanctorum can be seen.

Along with this, the sacred padukas (footprints) of Nityanand Maharaj can also be seen in this area.

• Tall Watchtower (Observation Tower) :

After moving ahead from the fort towards the Koli settlement, a tall watchtower can be seen. This tower was constructed to keep watch over enemy attacks coming through the sea route and to provide early information about approaching enemies. It is believed that this watchtower was built during the Portuguese period. Signs of an underground passage leading into the tower can be seen, but at present, people avoid visiting the tower due to the fear of reptiles.

• Koli Settlement :

At this place, one can see the settlement of the Hindu Koli community. They are considered the original inhabitants of this region.

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• Historical Information of Arnala Fort :

• Arnala Fort is built on a marine island located near the mouth of the Vaitarna River.

• Earlier, this island was known as “Gai Bet” (Cow Island).

• There has been a Koli settlement at this place since ancient times.

• After the establishment of Muslim rule, the Sultan of Gujarat, Muhammad Begada, constructed a small fortification here in 1516 AD.

• In 1530 AD, the Portuguese captured this fort from the Sultan of Gujarat and made some modifications to it.

• This fort served as an important post for supplying provisions to Vasai Fort and was also a key station on the route to Diu and Daman.

• In 1737 AD, the Marathas captured this fort. For this task, a Maratha commander named Shankaraji was appointed. With the help of local Koli and Bhoi communities, he successfully conquered the fort.

• Later, on the orders of the Peshwas, the work of strengthening the fortifications and carrying out other repairs was undertaken by Tulaji Angre. The main entrance gate and other bastions were also constructed during this period. A related inscription can still be seen on the frame of the northern entrance gate.

• In 1781 AD, British officer Goddard laid siege to this fort. At that time, there were 400 Maratha soldiers stationed at the fort. They offered strong resistance, but due to the exhaustion of supplies, the fort was eventually handed over to the British.

• Until 1880 AD, the Hazrat Shah Ali Dargah located here received an annual grant of 80 rupees.

• Subsequently, the fort remained under British rule. After India gained independence, it came under the control of the Government of independent India.

• The fort covers an area of 4 hectares and has nine bastions and three gates.

• Such is the historical significance of Arnala Fort.

Arnala Fort Information in English