Janjira State was located on the Konkan coast in the present day Raigarh district of Maharashtra. The state included the towns of Murud and Shrivardhan as well as the fortified island of Murud-Janjira, off the coastal village of Murud, which was the capital and residence of the rulers. The word Janjira originated from the Arabic word Jazeera, which means Island. The word "Murud" is derived from a Konkani word "Morod".
Since pre-historic period, Konkan came under control of various empires and rulers. The region came under the Magadha Empire, the Maurya dynasty, Satavahanas, Traikutas, Kalchuris, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kadambas and lastly Yadavas of Devagiri. In 1296 AD, the region came under the Delhi Sultanate which in 1347 passed into the hands of Allauddin Bahaman Shah who laid the foundation of Bahamani Kingdom. The Deccan rulers stabilized their rule taking support of migrants from Africa. Malik Ambar, the king maker of Ahmednagar made alliance with the Siddis and installed them as rulers of Murad-Janjira.
The first Siddis (Abyssinian Muslims) are thought to have arrived in India in 628 AD at Bharuch port. The latter groups are believed to have been soldiers of Muhammad bin Qasim's army, and were called Zanjis. Later the Siddi population was increased by Bantu people from Southeast Africa who were brought by the Portuguese as slaves.
In the 15th century, the western coast of Maharashtra used to be frequently attacked by Arab, Turks and sea pirates. A local Maratha fisherman, Rajaram Patil constructed a fort of wooden logs on this island known as Medhekot. He slowly grew in strength and started to disobey the Nizammshahi. He was captured and killed by Piram Khan who was a commander of Ahmed Nizamshah. Piram Khan (1526-1532) was succeeded by Burhan Khan as "Subedar of Janjira". Burhan commissioned the construction of a fort on the Janjira Island as per the directions of Hussein Nizamshah and was completed in 1571. It was known as "Fort Mehrub" (Moon Island) now called as Janjira fort.
In the centuries that followed, the rulers put themselves under the overlordship of the Sultanate of Bijapur. During the 17th and 18th century Janjira successfully resisted the repeated attacks of the Maratha Empire.
The Murud-Janjira fort is situated on an oval- shaped island about 2 km off the coast and is considered as the strongest marine forts in India that remained unconquered. It is made up of black rocks that had been evenly cut as blocks. The Nizamshahis, Maratha, Portuguese, Dutch, French and even the English could never subdue this fort. The Siddis were allied with the Mughal Empire.
The fort housed a mint too. The main entrance of the fort is not visible from any angle outside the fort because the gate is locked in an angular manner compressed between two bastions. The narrow gate is east facing and is visible only from 200 meters.
On either side of the palace lie two freshwater ponds
It took 22 years to build this stronghold on 22 acres of land. The fort has 22 bastions at the peripheral walls. The height of the wall is about 40 feet, and its width is 12 feet. The parapet walls are two and a half feet in thickness. The fort wall and the bastions are three storied. There were 572 cannons in 1669 AD. Nowadays only 75 cannons are left. All three cannons in the center are forged welded.
The imposing walls of the Fort that was never captured.
They maintained a strong navy comprising of several Ghurabs, Gallivats, Frigates and mast war ships. They specialised in guerilla warfare which made them masters of Western Konkan coast. Their power and influence were such that various ruling empires such as Adilshahi and Mughal hired them at their services. Siddis came under the direct services of Mughal Empire under Aurangzeb when Bijapur Adilshahi was annexed by him. It was a princely state under the Bombay Presidency.
Initially the rulers of the state held the title of "Wazir", but after 1803 the title of "Nawab" was officially recognized by the British
The fort still stands and is a tourist place.
Coins of Janjira
Janjira, paisa, 1787 AD, copper, weight 6.9 g
Wonderful historical knowledge, Rajeev. An amazing treasure trove of history. Thank you. Vinod
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