Sindhudurg Fort

Sindhudurg Fort, built on an island off the Konkan coast by Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji, remains one of the most impressive surviving examples of Maratha naval architecture, its walls stretching nearly three kilometres along the island's coastline and originally designed to project Maratha sea power along this stretch of the Arabian Sea. A small temple within the fort houses a handprint attributed to Shivaji himself, adding a devotional element to the site's primarily military historical significance.

Reached by a short boat crossing from Malvan, the fort's relatively intact walls and bastions, along with sweeping sea views from its ramparts, make Sindhudurg one of the more atmospheric coastal forts on the Konkan coast, combining genuine historical significance with a scenic island setting.

Built in 1664 under the direct supervision of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Sindhudurg was intended as the cornerstone of a growing Maratha naval strategy to challenge Portuguese, British and Siddi naval dominance along the western Indian coastline.

About 3km off the coast of Malvan, reached by a short boat crossing.