Find a little Piece of History at Alibaug

 Affectionately known as ‘mini-Goa’ among the tourist circles, the quaint little town of Alibaug gets this name mainly because of its lush palm trees and the golden beaches. Given the name, the town sees quite a few tourists during peak seasons as Alibaug’s many luxury resorts are near Mumbai and Pune. Most of them come here for the clean, expansive beaches and to get away from the bustle of the city. But quite a few come here to explore the many forts and ruins that are surprisingly still standing after centuries.  

Once a stronghold of the colonial powers, Alibaug often saw its fate and its shores controlled by the invading British and Portuguese contingent or by the homegrown loyal and fierce Maratha warriors. Their bloody battles over the years have been immortalised in the pages of history and if you are curious to know more, then the guides available at these forts will gladly regale you with stories, albeit at a price.  

Kolaba Fort  

The crown jewel of forts in Alibaug has to be the Kolaba Fort. Strategically built just by the shores of the Arabian Sea which surrounds it from all sides, the Kolaba Fort is the preferred attraction for history lovers. It was built some 300 years ago by the Maratha clan and it also once served as the chief naval station of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s army. If you are lucky, Kolaba Fort can be accessed on foot during low tides but in times of high tide, a boat maybe needed to reach its steps. The entire stretch by the foot of the fort makes for a relaxing location to take a walk. You will several of the top ten resorts in Alibaug in the vicinity where you could relax for a day to make the most of your time at the fort.  

Not just the inside of the fort, but there are several historical artefacts within the fort’s area. You will find severe cannon heads and areas of convergence for large armies before you even enter the doors. Dilapidated temple buildings, broken statues are just some of the unusual yet intriguing sights you will see here. One baffling feature of the fort is the presence of a freshwater well inside the fort premises as the entire fort is surrounded by the seawater of the Arabian Sea and any evidence of freshwater is confusing. 

One of the proudest achievements of the entire Maratha clan, Kolaba Fort has been designated as a nationally protected historical monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and active steps are being taken by the government to preserve it.  

Murud-Janjira Fort  

An expansive lone island on the waters of the Arabian Sea, the Murud-Janjira Fort is a sight to behold. This colossal fort rests in the middle of the sea just off the shore and is located 55 kms from the main town of Alibaug. One of the oldest forts in town, it has successfully stood the test of time and resiliency as many armies have attempted to unsuccessfully bring it down.  

One of the best things about Murud-Janjira fort are its nineteen bastions that are still standing tall to this day and are a shining example of marvellous engineering. Gallivanting the entire fort may take a couple of hours and may exhaust you by the end of it. Check out the many resorts in Murud-Janjira to kick-back and relax after a tour of the fort.  

While exploring the town’s history, also take in the local culture of Alibaug that you will find in its narrow lanes and markets. Strike up a conversation with a local who are always more than eager to share a piece of their history with anyone with a curious mind. To experience the serenity of the town, head to the Prakruti Family Resort in Alibaug where a relaxing and leisurely time awaits you.