Gopalgad Fort, also known as Gopalgad Quilla, is situated in the town of Anjanwel near Veldur in Guhagar Taluk in the district of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra state. It is one of the most popular forts in Konkan. Gopalgad Fort was established for defending the ancient port city of Dabhol. It is a coastal fort. The structure is partially placed on a hill and parts of the fortress are located near the sea.
History of Gopalgad Fort
Gopalgad Fort was constructed during the 1500s by Siddisad who was a Sardar of the Adil Shahi dynasty of the Sultanate of Bijapur. The Adil Shahi rulers reigned over the entire southern Konkan during that era. Afterwards, the fortress was captured by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj the founder of the Maratha Empire. During his reign, many parts of the structure were repaired and renovated. Chatrapati Sambhaji, the eldest son of Shivaji also occupied the fort.
Later Gopalgad Fort was conquered by a Siddi ruler named Khairat khan in the year 1699. The structure was also occupied by Tulaji Angre in 1744 and the Peshwas in 1755. During this period, Anjanvel village was appointed as the district headquarters. Eventually the forces of the British East India Company captured Gopalgad Fort in 1818 by defeating the army of the Peshwas.
Present Condition of Gopalgad Fort
Currently Gopalgad Fort lies in a state of disrepair. Most of the buildings in the fort premise are in a ruined condition. Some old cannon balls can also be found in the vicinity. The site is not open to tourists and visitors are not allowed inside the premise of the fortress.
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