2 weeks Ago By Sandip Dighe
Pune: Maharashtra's directorate of archaeology and museums will soon begin conservation work of 21 bastions as well as fortification of dilapidated walls of the Khanderi Fort, a strategic base for the Maratha navy in the 17th century, at Alibaug in Raigad district. Assistant director of the state archaeological department Vilas Wahane told TOI, "The govt has allocated Rs7 crore for the project. We have completed the tender process and prepared a comprehensive conservation plan.
A number of bastions have collapsed over the years and should be repaired urgently." This year, the Maharashtra govt declared the fort as a state-protected monument and renamed it as Kanhoji Angre island . Angre was the chief of the Maratha navy in 1698.
Wahane said, "Historians and researchers as well as tourists visit the fort in large numbers because of its importance in Maratha history. We want to build necessary facilities for their visits, along with conservation work." The Khanderi fort was built in 1679 to keep a check on Siddis at Raigad's Murud Janjira Fort, which was never conquered by the Maratha forces.
It was ceded to the British East India Company in 1818. The British built a lighthouse in the fort. It is one of the main attractions for tourists to watch the aerial views of the Arabian Sea, said department officials.
Mumbai-based conservation architect Shwetambari Shinde, who prepared the site management plan of the fort for conservation, told TOI, "We have prepared five phases of the conservation work. In the first phase, we will repair over 10 bastions, out of 25, on priority. The parapet is not in a good condition, though the base is strong.
" The seaside wall of the fort collapsed due to high tides in 2009, she said, adding, "We will have to reconstruct the site to regain the proper structure of the fort. We have also recommended stonework at certain spots." The Khanderi fort is one among the state's four forts nominated for World Heritage Site status, said officials.
Maratha historian Pandurang Balkawade said, "The fort witnessed a lot of action since the Maratha navy planned and executed several naval operations from there. The department should provide details so that visitors understand the history of the monument.".
