Vijaydurg fort is situated on the mouth of the Vaghotan river that separates Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts. The original fort was built by Bhojraja Shilahar during 1196 to 1206. In those days it was known as Gheriyesince it was surrounded by water on all sides.

The Maratha king Shivaji took control of this fort from the Adil Shahi dynasty only in 1656 after which the present day battlements and fortifications were built and then was rechristened Vijaydurg.

Thereafter the fort was the main Maratha naval base under Sirkel Kanoji Angre and his son Sirkel Tulaji Angre. The fort was attacked in 1717 1720 and 1724 by the British Portuguese and Dutch but could not be conquered.

A joint force of the Peshwas and Bristish laid seige to the fort in 1756 and later conquered it.

In recent years a submerged wall 100 metres east of the fort has been discovered. The under sea wall is 3 metres high 7 metres wide and 122 metres long. How and why this sea wall was built is not clear. On the bank of the Vaghotan River about 3kms from the fort there was a wet dock where the Marathas used to build and repair their ships.


How to Reach
By Railway - The railway stations at Kudal and Rajapur are the closest railway stations to the town of Vijaydurg. These railway stations fall under the broad reach of Konkan Railways. Regular trains will be available to the cities and towns of Mumbai Dadar Madgaon Ernakulam Trivandrum and Verava

By bus -Buses to the town of Vijaydurg will be available from all nearby towns like Mumbai Jaitapur Rajapur Malwan and Achara