Khanderi
| Khanderi | |
|---|---|
खांदेरी | |
| Raigad District, Maharashtra | |
 Octagonal Lighthouse, Khanderi Fort | |
  Khanderi | |
| Coordinates | 18°42′15″N 72°48′47″E / 18.7042°N 72.8131°E |
| Type | Sea fort |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1679 |
| Built by | Shivaji |
Khanderi (officially Kanhoji Angre island) is an island with a fort, located south of Mumbai, along the coast of Maharashtra, India.
Location and history
Khanderi (Official name Kanhoji Angre Island) is located 5 km off the coast of Maharashtra (off Thal, Kihim) and 20 km south of Mumbai. Khanderi, along with its sister fort Underi (Jaidurg) formed the major fortification along the Maharashtra coast, the former falling under Shivaji's control and the latter under his opponents, the Siddis.
The island consists of two high hills, one facing north and the other facing south. Initially, the islands of Underi and Khanderi were uninhabited. In 1679, Khanderi was occupied by the forces of Shivaji under the leadership of Maynak Bhandari, who oversaw the building of the fortifying walls.[1] Subsequently, Khanderi fort was built during the reign of the Maratha king Shivaji in 1679 CE[2] to keep a check on the Siddis at Murud-Janjira fort and was the site of many battles between Shivaji's forces and the navy of Siddi.[3] It contained two wells to supply water to the forces within, and a temple of Sri Betal.[4]
The fort was subsequently ceded in 1818 to the forces of the British East India company at Bombay as part of the Peshwa territory
Most of the fort is still intact, with the most prominent structure being a lighthouse built by the British in June 1867 and the two storey building upon which the lighthouse is located.[5][6] The lighthouse is 22 feet high and can be seen from up to 13 km away.
The fort is a restricted area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Indian Navy.
Additionally, the fort has a few old metal canons, the tomb of Daud Pir,[7] a local saint and a musical stone that emits metallic musical notes when struck.[8]There is a one secret way for going on the Kulaba fort of Alibag.
In 1998, Khanderi island was renamed Kanhoji Angre Island in honour of the Maratha Admiral[9] Kanhoji Angre.
In September 2013, The Indian Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Shipping drew up plans to develop Khanderi island and its octagonal light house as a tourist destination.[10]
References
- ^ Khond, Vishal. "Trek to Khanderi". Trek Mates India. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Sarkar, Jadunath (2010). Shivaji and his times. Mumbai: Orient Blackswan. p. 215. ISBN 8125040269.
- ^ Rau, Ratnakar (1997). Govind, Shivaji's warrior. Hyderabad: Orient Longman Limited. p. 104. ISBN 8125007741.
- ^ Gazetteer. Govt. Central Press. 1883. pp. 324–327. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
- ^ Hoiberg, Dale; Indu Ramchandani (2000). Students' Britannica India. Popular Prakashan. pp. 401–2. ISBN 0-85229-762-9. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
- ^ "Twin trek to Fort Khanderi". Trek Mates India. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Rajendra, Mahajan. "Musical stone at Khanderi Fort". Video - You Tube. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
- ^ LT GEN K. J., SINGH. "As NDA cadet, I was witness to Vice Admiral Awati's kindness". ThePrint.In. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Sanganee, Hemant (28 September 2013). "Welcome to the Kanhoji Island Light House". Dumkhum. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
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