Govalkot / Govindgad Fort Information
(Govalkot / Govindgad Fort – Detailed Information in English)
• Location
Govalkot Fort, also known as Govindgad, is a historic fort located near Chiplun, on the banks of the Vashishti River, in Ratnagiri District, Maharashtra, India.
• How to Reach Govalkot Fort
From Mumbai, one can reach Chiplun via the Mumbai–Goa National Highway.
The fort is located approximately 2 to 3 kilometers from the main bus stand of Chiplun city.
From Goa, the fort can also be reached via the Mumbai road, passing near Chiplun
• Places to See at Govalkot / Govindgad Fort
Govalkot / Govindgad Fort is situated near Govalkot village, about 2 to 3 kilometers from Chiplun city, in the Ratnagiri district of the Konkan region of Maharashtra.
After reaching Govalkot village, there are two routes to access the fort:
1. Stairway (Foot Path)
A stepped pathway begins behind the Karanjeshwari Devi Temple.
This route consists of approximately 300 to 350 steps and leads to the main entrance gate of the fort.
2. Road Access
A motorable road allows visitors to reach the fort directly by vehicle.
• Fortification Walls (Ramparts)
A major portion of the fort’s ramparts has collapsed. In some places, the walls are completely ruined. However, loopholes (jangya) used for observation and defense can still be seen at certain locations.
• Bastions (Buruj)
Bastions were constructed to strengthen the weak sides of the fort, generally in semi-circular or circular shapes.
Many bastions are now in a ruined condition.
Some bastions are still fairly intact.
The fort has three bastions on the western side and two on the eastern side.
The bastions contain loopholes (jangya) and cannon ports (phanjya).
Jangya are narrow openings used for aiming weapons.
Phanjya are wider openings used for firing cannons.
• Entrance Gate
The main entrance gates of the fort are largely collapsed, and only their remains are visible. From these ruins, the original structure of the gates can be understood.
As seen in other forts, remains of guard chambers (devdi) behind the gates are visible. The obstacles built into the walls give an idea of the original entrance design.
• Sadar (Administrative Building)
In the central area of the fort, remains of a structure built on a raised platform can be seen. This building was used for official administrative work, maintenance of records, and meetings of senior officers.
Such an administrative structure was known as a Sadar during the medieval period.
• Other Structural Remains
Several ruined building platforms are visible across the fort. These are believed to be the remains of residential structures for soldiers and other personnel stationed at the fort.
• Water Tank
Near the Sadar, there is a water tank approximately 20 feet deep. Due to internal leakage, the tank is currently dry.
Steps were constructed inside the tank for access. It was likely built to fulfill the water requirements of the fort.
• Cannons
A platform on the fort houses 11 cannons at present. Originally, there were 21 cannons.
Some cannons have been fixed along the banks of the Vashishti River below, where they were used as anchors for tying boats (jetty use).
One or two cannons are still found placed on nearby bastions.
One cannon on the fort has a ring-like (bangle-shaped) structure, known as the Bangadi Cannon.
This cannon was designed to rotate in a circular manner and fire cannonballs over a wide radius.
• Straight Cannon
The larger the size of a straight cannon, the farther it could fire a cannonball.
• Foreign Cannons
Two cannons of foreign manufacture are found on the fort. These were likely either captured from enemies during battles or purchased.
• Lime Grinding Pits (Chunyachi Ghani)
During the medieval period, lime was produced for construction using lime grinding pits. The circular outlines of these pits are still visible on the fort, though the stone wheels are no longer present.
Lime was extensively used in the construction of fort walls and buildings.
• Redjai Temple
Near a bastion on the southern side of the fort, adjacent to the rampart, there is a small renovated temple of Redjai, the fort deity.
The temple has an outer hall and an inner sanctum containing the idol of the goddess.
• Balekilla Platform (Citadel Area)
Inside the fort, there is an elevated mound-like area from where the entire surrounding region can be observed.
This area represents the Balekilla (citadel). Ruins of fortifications and other structures are visible here.
• Northern Rampart and Scenic View of the Vashishti River
On the northern side, broken ramparts and partially intact bastions can be seen. From here, one gets a magnificent view of the expansive Vashishti River, the confluence of smaller rivers, and their canal-like winding courses.
During fort trekking, you need various essential items. You can explore and purchase them through the links below.
• Historical Information of Govalkot / Govindgad Fort
The exact founder of this fort is unknown.
It is believed that the fort may have been constructed during the reign of the Shalivahan kings or other early dynasties in this region.
The Vashishti River flows onward to Dabhol, an important historic port.
To safeguard and monitor maritime trade, Gopalgad at Anjanvel and Govalkot Fort near Chiplun were likely constructed.
Later, the region came under Bahmani rule.
Subsequently, it passed into the hands of the Adilshahi dynasty.
In 1660 CE, after conquering the Konkan region, Govalkot and Gopalgad forts were captured and included in Swarajya.
During the reign of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, on the orders of Aurangzeb, the Siddis attacked and captured the fort.
Later, Maratha commander Ramchandra Hari Patwardhan reconquered the fort for Swarajya.
In 1699 CE, Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj is said to have visited the nearby Karanjeshwari Devi Temple.
The fort was later recaptured by the Siddis.
Tarabai sent an army of 7,000 soldiers to liberate the fort, but the attempt failed due to war-time circumstances.
In 1733 CE, on the orders of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Pant Pratinidhi and Peshwa Bajirao were sent to capture the fort. Though the Siddis were harassed and weakened, lack of coordination prevented success.
In 1745 CE, Daryasarang Tula ji Angre successfully captured the fort and brought it under Swarajya.
In 1818 CE, after the fall of the Maratha Empire, the fort came under British control, who caused significant destruction to its structures.
On 15 August 1947, the fort came under the control of independent India.
Today, Govalkot / Govindgad Fort is an important historical tourist destination near Chiplun and requires proper conservation and restoration.
✨ Thus, this is the complete information of Govalkot / Govindgad Fort
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