When we envision the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, our mind often conjures images of a fearless warrior king astride a horse, leading his light cavalry through the rugged passes of the Sahyadris, outmaneuvering mighty empires. While this image is powerful, it is incomplete. To truly understand Shivaji’s genius, one must look not to the mountains, but to the sea.
Shivaji Maharaj was not just a master of guerrilla warfare on land; he was a visionary statesman who understood the profound strategic and economic importance of the Arabian Sea. In the 17th century, he audaciously conceived and built a formidable navy—the Maharashtra Naval Force—and ringed his Swarajya with an impregnable chain of coastal fortresses. This was not merely a defensive measure; it was the blueprint for a thalassocracy, a maritime empire that would secure his kingdom’s sovereignty for generations.
The Visionary: Why a Navy?
In the mid-1600s, the Konkan coast was dominated by European powers—the Portuguese in Goa and the rising British—and regional adversaries like the Siddis of Janjira. These powers used their naval superiority to control lucrative trade routes, levy taxes on merchant vessels, and even raid coastal villages. Shivaji recognized that a kingdom with a long coastline but no navy was inherently vulnerable. His vision was threefold:
- Economic Sovereignty: To protect the thriving trade of his subjects from pirates and extortion, ensuring the economic prosperity of the Swarajya.
- Defensive Depth: To create a first line of defense at sea, preventing enemy forces from ever reaching his shores. A battle fought at sea was one that wouldn’t ravage the hinterlands.
- Offensive Power: To project Maratha power beyond the coast, challenge established naval powers, and even conduct amphibious assaults.
He famously declared, “Jalameva yasya, balameva tasya,” meaning “He who rules the sea is all-powerful.” This philosophy placed naval power at the core of his strategic doctrine.
The Guardians of the Coast: Anatomy of a Sea Fort
Shivaji’s coastal forts are masterclasses in military architecture, perfectly adapted to their harsh, unique environment. Unlike land forts built on high peaks, sea forts were engineered to withstand the fury of the sea and cannon fire from warships.
Key Architectural Marvels:
- Strategic Location: Perched on isolated islands or sheer rocky cliffs, they were naturally impregnable. Approaching them by sea was a treacherous endeavor.
- Walls and Bastions: Their walls were massively thick, designed to absorb cannonball impacts. Bastions (buruj) were constructed at strategic angles to provide overlapping fields of fire, ensuring no ship could approach without being targeted from multiple sides.
- Freshwater Tanks: The most critical feature. Given their island locations, these forts had elaborate systems for harvesting and storing rainwater in gigantic tanks (talaavs), allowing them to withstand sieges that could last years.
- Hidden Wharves and Dockyards: Many forts, like Sindhudurg, had concealed inlets and secure docks where Maratha warships could be repaired and sheltered from storms and enemy sight.
- The Granary: Vast storage facilities ensured a constant supply of grain and ammunition.
Crown Jewels of the Maratha Coast
Among the string of forts, a few stand out as iconic symbols of Maratha naval prowess.
1. Sindhudurg Fort (The Fort of the Sea)
The mightiest of them all, Sindhudurg is Shivaji’s magnum opus on the sea. Built over three years (1664-67) on the rocky Kurte Island near Malvan, it involved the labor of over 1000 artisans and 3000 workers. Its very construction was a feat—a mixture of lead, lime, and jaggery was used to set the foundation stones in the sea. Spanning 48 acres, it boasts formidable walls, a sacred shrine, and, most personally, the only known footprint of Shivaji Maharaj, embedded in a slab. Sindhudurg was the primary base of the Maratha navy, a symbol of unassailable power staring down the Arabian Sea.
2. Vijaydurg (The Fort of Victory)
Originally named Gheria, this fort was captured by Shivaji from the Siddis in 1653 and renamed Vijaydurg. It was the most important fort before the construction of Sindhudurg. Its genius lies in its unique 200-meter-long, undersea escape tunnel connecting the fort to the nearby village—a testament to Maratha engineering for ensuring supply and communication during a siege. It housed a massive dockyard where Maratha ghurabs (warships) were built and repaired.
3. Suvarnadurg (The Golden Fort)
Captured from the Portuguese in 1660, this island fort was later strengthened by Shivaji and his son, Rajaram. Its name suggests the wealth it protected. It served as a key naval base for repairs and had a twin fort on the shore called Kanakadurg, which provided supporting fire, creating a deadly crossfire zone for any approaching enemy fleet.
4. Kolaba Fort (Alibag Fort)
Standing in the waters off the coast of Alibag, this fort was a vital administrative center for the navy. It was so well-provisioned that it even had a permanent brigade of camels for transport within the fort. Its strategic location protected the coastline near the commercial hub of Mumbai.
The Ships and the Admirals: The Might of the Maratha Navy
Shivaji’s fleet, under the command of his first admiral, Maynaik Bhandari, and later the legendary Kanhoji Angre, was a formidable force. It comprised hundreds of ships of various classes:
- Ghurabs (Grab Ships): The battleships. These were sturdy, two-masted vessels with a high prow, carrying 10-15 cannons. They were the backbone of the fleet, used for direct engagement.
- Galbat (Gallivat): The frigates. Smaller, faster, and more maneuverable than the ghurabs, they were used for swift attacks, reconnaissance, and boarding enemy vessels. They were often rowed, making them effective even in windless conditions.
The tactics of the Maratha navy were reminiscent of their land-based ganimi kava (guerrilla warfare). They avoided large, set-piece naval battles against heavier European ships. Instead, they used their knowledge of the local coastline, hidden coves, and monsoon winds to launch lightning raids, cut off supply lines, and board enemy vessels in close-quarter combat where their soldiers excelled.
A Legacy That Towers Over Time
The legacy of Shivaji’s navy and coastal forts is immense. After his death, his vision was carried forward by the Angre family, particularly Kanhoji Angre, who as the Grand Admiral of the Maratha Navy, became the scourge of European powers, defending the west coast for nearly four decades.
Today, these forts stand as silent, weather-beaten sentinels. The roar of cannons has been replaced by the crashing of waves, and the docks that once teemed with warships now host only tourists. Yet, their presence is overwhelming. To stand on the ramparts of Sindhudurg or Vijaydurg is to witness the indomitable spirit of a king who dared to look seaward and dream. He was not just the father of the Indian navy but a visionary who understood that true sovereignty for a coastal nation could never be won, or kept, by land alone. His forts remain, as they were always intended to be: eternal guardians of a free and proud Swarajya.