The Unconquerable Janjeera Fortress

Janjeera fort is built in a pretty interesting setting, on an island out in the Arabian sea, 2 kms from the nearest coast. It is situated 165 kms and more importantly 6 bumpy hours south of Mumbai. The fortress, popularly known as the "unconquerable", withstood the efforts of Sivaji, Sambhaji, Portuguese and the British to conquer it.

It was functional up until 1972 when the final 70 odd families relocated to the mainland handing over the fort to the Indian government. It was surprising to know that the fort was actually built and used by Abyssinian merchants who ruled over 3 villages and 3 taluks on the mainland. The fact clearly proves that apart from primates and martians, every other sect of bipeds had control over some part of India sometime in her chequered history.

For the trivia buffs, the fort is built on 22 acres of land over 22 years and houses 22 strong watchtowers carrying some of the strongest cannons of its times. The strength of these weapons can be realised from looking at the nearby ruined fort of Samabaji, ruined mainly by the cannons of Janjeera.

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