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Mirjan Fort

The Mirjan Fort is located on the west coast of the Uttara Kannada district in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. The fort known for its architectural elegance was the location of several battles in the past. It is about 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi) from the National Highway 66 and 21 kilometres (13 mi) from Gokarna, the famous Hindu pilgrimage centre on the west coast of India.[1][2]

Mirjan Fort
Part of Uttara Kannada
Karnataka, India
Mirjan Fort
Coordinates14°29′20″N 74°25′03″E / 14.4888°N 74.4175°E / 14.4888; 74.4175
TypeFusion of Deccan and Mughal Architecture
Site information
Controlled byGovernment of Karnataka
Open to
the public
Yes
ConditionRuins
Site history
BuiltBuilt in 16th century by Rani Chennabhairadevi and refurbished in 17th century
MaterialsLaterite Stones and mud

According to the first historical version, Rani Chennabhairadevi of Gersoppa (under the Vijayanagara Empire) was initially credited with building the Mirjan Fort in the 16th century. She ruled for 54 years and also lived in the fort.[3][4][5] During her reign, the port at Mirjan, which is 32 kilometres (20 mi) to the south east of Karwar, was used for shipping pepper, saltpetre and betel nut to Surat. Gersoppa, a district annexed to Bednur, was famous for the pepper exported from this region. Consequently, the Portuguese gave the epithet "Rani, the Pepper queen" ("Rainha de Pimenta" in Portuguese) to the Queen of Gersoppa.[3][4][5][6]

History Edit

There are many versions to the dating of this fort. The first historical vision the Mirjan Fort was built initially by a Nawayath asper Ibn_Battuta book this fort was first built by Nawayath Sultanates early 1200, then it came under the Vijayanagara Empire. Then the fort was refurbished in 1608 (Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) refers to its building over a period of 1608–1640) on the south east coastal part of the Tadri Creek.[1][2][7]

Another version that is traced to the period 1552–1606 is that the Mirjan Fort was built initially by Queen Chennabhairadevi. She was from the Tuluva-Saluva clan and ruled for a long period (for 54 years) under the protection of the Vijayanagara Empire (the queen preferred to be subordinate (mahamandaleshwara) of Vijayanagar rulers), as the queen of Gersoppa (a small town on the northern banks of the Sharavati River). She was given the epithet "the Pepper Queen or Raina da Pimenta'. She devoutly practiced Jainism and during her rule constructed many Jain basadis. She ruled "in conformity with the doctrine of succession Aliyasantana or Matriarchal, a tradition followed in coastal belt of Konkan and Kerala". Her domain covered North and South Kanara districts and south Goa, which had important ports such as Malpe, Bidnoor, Mirjan, Honnavar, Ankola and Karwar from where the pepper, the most important produce of the region, was shipped to Europe. However, she suffered reverses after the Talikota war in which the Vijayanagar Empire was routed. She then shifted from Mirjan Fort to a safe location in an island in the middle of the Sharavathi River.[4][5]

According to another version, a Bijapur noble Sherif-ul Mulk built this fort as a first line of defence to protect Kumta town and the Kumta fort located to its south. The fort was built or refurbished in 1608 (Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) refers to its building over a period of 1608–1640) on the south east coastal part of the Tadri Creek.[1][2][7]

One more version is that the fort was under the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. After the fall of this empire, Bijapur sultans are stated to have captured the fort and Sharief-ul-mulk, the then governor of Goa, is credited to have either built or refurbished the fort.[2] Mirjan was the location of their palace. In the 17th century, the Keladi dynasty, an independent principality then ruled the territory of Kanara, south of Mirjan with their capital at Bednur. In 1676, Keladi queen Chennamma had captured this territory up to Mirjan.[3]

In 1757, the Marathas had seized the Mirjan Fort. The event that led to the capture of the fort was due to the death of Basappa Naik, the last ruler of Bednur, in 1755. His wife had taken control, representing her 17-year-old adopted son, Chanbasaviah. Since her adopted son opposed her taking a "paramour", she got him murdered. This had resulted in a revolt by the agitated local people, and taking advantage of the situation the Marathas had captured the fort.[8]

In the period between May 1783 and March 1784, the British, under the command of Major Torriano had captured the fort before proceeding to Honnavar.[9]

Chroniclers of History like De Barros, Barbosa, Hamilton and Buchanan have recorded the history of the fort under the rule of Vijayanagara kings, under the name of Mergan. In 1720, Hamilton refers to its importance as a minor port that was used for export of pepper, cassia, saltpetre, and wild nutmeg. In 1801, Buchanan called the place a "Midijoy".[2]

Geography Edit

The fort is located on the banks of the Aganashini River. The mouth of the river is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the Mirjan village. It is in a creek on a bend of the river, known as the Tadri Creek. The fort is approached through a series of wide steps that lead to the interior of the fort.[2][7] Its location in Kumta taluk is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) to the north of the Kumta town.[3][10]

The fort is located in the precincts of the Mirjan village (area 653.92 hectares (1,615.9 acres)), which is bounded between (14°28′07″N 74°25′09″E / 14.4687°N 74.4191°E / 14.4687; 74.4191) and (14°30′19″N 74°26′41″E / 14.5052°N 74.4446°E / 14.5052; 74.4446), near Kumta. The reported climatic conditions of the village reflect the conditions in the fort precincts as well. The area experiences a high humid climate all through the year. The recorded mean annual rainfall of 3,521.7 millimetres (138.65 in) is very high. The maximum temperature reported is 32.4 °C (90.3 °F) in May and the minimum temperature recorded is 20.9 °C (69.6 °F) during January. Laterite topography dominates the region.[11] Further, Mirjan has also been identified by "Forbes, 1783 (or. Mem. IV. 109), and by Renel, 1788 (Map of Hindustan", as Muziris of Ptolemy (150 A.D.) and Periplus (247 A.D.), then an important trading port on the west coast of India.[12]

Mirjan, however, was spelt differently by the Portuguese chroniclers and in the maps of the 16th century, and the river flowing nearby was also then called the Ganghwali River; Barbosa spelt it as Mjrgeu, in Renel's map of c.1517 it is spelt as Mergueo and in c.1518 and subsequent maps spelt as Mergeo.[13]

Structure Edit

 
Main entrance to the Mirjan Fort with wide steps
 
View of southern ramparts from inside the Mirjan Fort
 
Images of Hindu Goddess Mahishasuramardini and other deities under a tree

The fort is built over an area of about 4.1 hectares (10 acres). It is built with laterite stones.[2] It was built with high walls and bastions.[1] The fort has four entrances (one main and three subsidiary entrances) and many wells, which are interlinked and with access channels leading to the circular moat (used as a defence measure to protect the fort) that once fully surrounded the fort, and leading to the canal works outside the fort's limits. At each entrance, there are wide steps to enter the fort. The fort is double-walled and has high turrets on the bastions. It is now seen mostly in ruins but is being restored by ASI to some extent. The ruins have been inferred as remnants of a secret passage, entry doors, a darbar hall and a market place. Stone images of Hindu gods and goddesses are also seen under a large tree.[2][14]

Restoration works

The fort was maintained by the British with grant funds till India got independence in August 1947. Thereafter, ASI has taken over its maintenance. Refurbishing of the ruins of the northern bastion fortification of the fort has been done with stones found in the area. The wild forest growth inside the fort and on the fort walls has been cleared. In the restoration works carried out during 2000–2001, initially, the debris that had accumulated due to collapse of the bastions was removed. The damaged portions of the fort walls were redone with dressed laterite stones. A waterproof coating was provided to the excavated structures, along with pointing of the joints with "combination mortor".[15][16]

Archaeological excavations Edit

During the year 2000–01, ASI carried out excavations in the precincts of the fort. These excavations have unearthed laterite structures of medieval period in the form of: a U shaped structure with a "cloister all around" with a circular soakage pit adjoining it; and a water tank connected with channels. Antiquarian findings also included a gold coin minted in 1652 with inscriptions that attribute it to the Portuguese Viceroy Conde De Sarzedas during the reign of Joao IV, cannonballs, Chinese Porcelain, clay tablets with Islamic inscriptions.[1] Further details provided by an official of the ASI indicate that "seven dumb-bells, 50 iron bullets, coins and designed earth pots belonging to Sarpamallika dynasty" were also found during the excavations at the fort.[17]

Gallery Edit

See also Edit

References Edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "Excavations - 2000-2005 – Karnataka". Fort, Mirjan, dt. Uttar Kannada. Archaeological Survey of India and National Informatics Centre. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Miscellany". Deccan Herald. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Sarkar, Jadunath (1992). Shivaji and his times. Orient Blackswan. pp. 172–173. ISBN 81-250-1347-4. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  4. ^ a b c . Travelogues : oktatabyebye. 11 June 2009. Archived from the original on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  5. ^ a b c Jyotsna Kamat (7 May 2010). "Queen of Gersoppa: Chennabhairadevi, Brave Ruler of Gersoppa (1552-1606 C.E)". Kamatpotporri. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  6. ^ Ramaswamy, Chitra (15 April 2014). "Where the pepper queen ruled". No. Bangalore. Deccan Herald. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  7. ^ a b c Naravane, M. S (1998). The maritime and coastal forts of India. p. 91. ISBN 81-7024-910-4. Retrieved 24 May 2010. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  8. ^ Buff, James Grant (1971). History of the Mahrattas. p. xii. ISBN 81-7020-958-7. Retrieved 25 May 2010. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  9. ^ Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Ka'nara (2 pts.). Govt. Central Press. 1883. p. 313. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  10. ^ Bhat, L.S.; Chandrashekhar Dhundiraj Deshpande (1988). Strategy for integrated area development: case study of North Kanara…. p. 28. ISBN 81-7022-198-6. Retrieved 25 May 2010. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  11. ^ "A Remote Sensing Approach for Establishing the Soil Physiographic Relationship in the Coastal Agro Eco system of North Karnataka". Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  12. ^ "Masure". Maharashtra Government. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  13. ^ Pires, Tomé; Armando Cortesão; Francisco Rodrigues (1990). The Suma oriental of Tome Pires: an account of the East, from the Red Sea to ... Asian Educational Services. p. 60. ISBN 81-206-0535-7. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  14. ^ Karnataka State gazetteer, Volume 16. The Director of Print, Stationery and Publications at the Govt. Press. 1965. p. 947. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  15. ^ "Indian archaeology: a review". Archaeological Survey of India. 1998. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  16. ^ "Indian Archaeology: A review" (PDF). 194. Fort Mirjan, Uttarakannada. Archaeological Survey of India. 2001. p. 260. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  17. ^ "Iron bullets excavated in Karnataka". Express India. Retrieved 26 May 2010.

External links Edit

  • Coordinates of Mirjan Fort
  • Mirjan Fort on Google Maps

mirjan, fort, located, west, coast, uttara, kannada, district, southern, indian, state, karnataka, fort, known, architectural, elegance, location, several, battles, past, about, kilometres, from, national, highway, kilometres, from, gokarna, famous, hindu, pil. The Mirjan Fort is located on the west coast of the Uttara Kannada district in the southern Indian state of Karnataka The fort known for its architectural elegance was the location of several battles in the past It is about 0 5 kilometres 0 31 mi from the National Highway 66 and 21 kilometres 13 mi from Gokarna the famous Hindu pilgrimage centre on the west coast of India 1 2 Mirjan FortPart of Uttara KannadaKarnataka IndiaMirjan FortCoordinates14 29 20 N 74 25 03 E 14 4888 N 74 4175 E 14 4888 74 4175TypeFusion of Deccan and Mughal ArchitectureSite informationControlled byGovernment of KarnatakaOpen tothe publicYesConditionRuinsSite historyBuiltBuilt in 16th century by Rani Chennabhairadevi and refurbished in 17th centuryMaterialsLaterite Stones and mudAccording to the first historical version Rani Chennabhairadevi of Gersoppa under the Vijayanagara Empire was initially credited with building the Mirjan Fort in the 16th century She ruled for 54 years and also lived in the fort 3 4 5 During her reign the port at Mirjan which is 32 kilometres 20 mi to the south east of Karwar was used for shipping pepper saltpetre and betel nut to Surat Gersoppa a district annexed to Bednur was famous for the pepper exported from this region Consequently the Portuguese gave the epithet Rani the Pepper queen Rainha de Pimenta in Portuguese to the Queen of Gersoppa 3 4 5 6 Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Structure 4 Archaeological excavations 5 Gallery 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksHistory EditThere are many versions to the dating of this fort The first historical vision the Mirjan Fort was built initially by a Nawayath asper Ibn Battuta book this fort was first built by Nawayath Sultanates early 1200 then it came under the Vijayanagara Empire Then the fort was refurbished in 1608 Archaeological Survey of India ASI refers to its building over a period of 1608 1640 on the south east coastal part of the Tadri Creek 1 2 7 Another version that is traced to the period 1552 1606 is that the Mirjan Fort was built initially by Queen Chennabhairadevi She was from the Tuluva Saluva clan and ruled for a long period for 54 years under the protection of the Vijayanagara Empire the queen preferred to be subordinate mahamandaleshwara of Vijayanagar rulers as the queen of Gersoppa a small town on the northern banks of the Sharavati River She was given the epithet the Pepper Queen or Raina da Pimenta She devoutly practiced Jainism and during her rule constructed many Jain basadis She ruled in conformity with the doctrine of succession Aliyasantana or Matriarchal a tradition followed in coastal belt of Konkan and Kerala Her domain covered North and South Kanara districts and south Goa which had important ports such as Malpe Bidnoor Mirjan Honnavar Ankola and Karwar from where the pepper the most important produce of the region was shipped to Europe However she suffered reverses after the Talikota war in which the Vijayanagar Empire was routed She then shifted from Mirjan Fort to a safe location in an island in the middle of the Sharavathi River 4 5 According to another version a Bijapur noble Sherif ul Mulk built this fort as a first line of defence to protect Kumta town and the Kumta fort located to its south The fort was built or refurbished in 1608 Archaeological Survey of India ASI refers to its building over a period of 1608 1640 on the south east coastal part of the Tadri Creek 1 2 7 One more version is that the fort was under the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire After the fall of this empire Bijapur sultans are stated to have captured the fort and Sharief ul mulk the then governor of Goa is credited to have either built or refurbished the fort 2 Mirjan was the location of their palace In the 17th century the Keladi dynasty an independent principality then ruled the territory of Kanara south of Mirjan with their capital at Bednur In 1676 Keladi queen Chennamma had captured this territory up to Mirjan 3 In 1757 the Marathas had seized the Mirjan Fort The event that led to the capture of the fort was due to the death of Basappa Naik the last ruler of Bednur in 1755 His wife had taken control representing her 17 year old adopted son Chanbasaviah Since her adopted son opposed her taking a paramour she got him murdered This had resulted in a revolt by the agitated local people and taking advantage of the situation the Marathas had captured the fort 8 In the period between May 1783 and March 1784 the British under the command of Major Torriano had captured the fort before proceeding to Honnavar 9 Chroniclers of History like De Barros Barbosa Hamilton and Buchanan have recorded the history of the fort under the rule of Vijayanagara kings under the name of Mergan In 1720 Hamilton refers to its importance as a minor port that was used for export of pepper cassia saltpetre and wild nutmeg In 1801 Buchanan called the place a Midijoy 2 Geography EditThe fort is located on the banks of the Aganashini River The mouth of the river is 12 kilometres 7 5 mi from the Mirjan village It is in a creek on a bend of the river known as the Tadri Creek The fort is approached through a series of wide steps that lead to the interior of the fort 2 7 Its location in Kumta taluk is 8 kilometres 5 0 mi to the north of the Kumta town 3 10 The fort is located in the precincts of the Mirjan village area 653 92 hectares 1 615 9 acres which is bounded between 14 28 07 N 74 25 09 E 14 4687 N 74 4191 E 14 4687 74 4191 and 14 30 19 N 74 26 41 E 14 5052 N 74 4446 E 14 5052 74 4446 near Kumta The reported climatic conditions of the village reflect the conditions in the fort precincts as well The area experiences a high humid climate all through the year The recorded mean annual rainfall of 3 521 7 millimetres 138 65 in is very high The maximum temperature reported is 32 4 C 90 3 F in May and the minimum temperature recorded is 20 9 C 69 6 F during January Laterite topography dominates the region 11 Further Mirjan has also been identified by Forbes 1783 or Mem IV 109 and by Renel 1788 Map of Hindustan as Muziris of Ptolemy 150 A D and Periplus 247 A D then an important trading port on the west coast of India 12 Mirjan however was spelt differently by the Portuguese chroniclers and in the maps of the 16th century and the river flowing nearby was also then called the Ganghwali River Barbosa spelt it as Mjrgeu in Renel s map of c 1517 it is spelt as Mergueo and in c 1518 and subsequent maps spelt as Mergeo 13 Structure Edit nbsp Main entrance to the Mirjan Fort with wide steps nbsp View of southern ramparts from inside the Mirjan Fort nbsp Images of Hindu Goddess Mahishasuramardini and other deities under a tree The fort is built over an area of about 4 1 hectares 10 acres It is built with laterite stones 2 It was built with high walls and bastions 1 The fort has four entrances one main and three subsidiary entrances and many wells which are interlinked and with access channels leading to the circular moat used as a defence measure to protect the fort that once fully surrounded the fort and leading to the canal works outside the fort s limits At each entrance there are wide steps to enter the fort The fort is double walled and has high turrets on the bastions It is now seen mostly in ruins but is being restored by ASI to some extent The ruins have been inferred as remnants of a secret passage entry doors a darbar hall and a market place Stone images of Hindu gods and goddesses are also seen under a large tree 2 14 Restoration worksThe fort was maintained by the British with grant funds till India got independence in August 1947 Thereafter ASI has taken over its maintenance Refurbishing of the ruins of the northern bastion fortification of the fort has been done with stones found in the area The wild forest growth inside the fort and on the fort walls has been cleared In the restoration works carried out during 2000 2001 initially the debris that had accumulated due to collapse of the bastions was removed The damaged portions of the fort walls were redone with dressed laterite stones A waterproof coating was provided to the excavated structures along with pointing of the joints with combination mortor 15 16 Archaeological excavations EditDuring the year 2000 01 ASI carried out excavations in the precincts of the fort These excavations have unearthed laterite structures of medieval period in the form of a U shaped structure with a cloister all around with a circular soakage pit adjoining it and a water tank connected with channels Antiquarian findings also included a gold coin minted in 1652 with inscriptions that attribute it to the Portuguese Viceroy Conde De Sarzedas during the reign of Joao IV cannonballs Chinese Porcelain clay tablets with Islamic inscriptions 1 Further details provided by an official of the ASI indicate that seven dumb bells 50 iron bullets coins and designed earth pots belonging to Sarpamallika dynasty were also found during the excavations at the fort 17 Gallery Edit nbsp Watch tower cum flag hoisting tower of Mirjan Fort nbsp West view of Mirjan Fort from inside the fort nbsp The Mirjan fort bastion and watch tower nbsp Steps to a well in the Mirjan Fort nbsp A deep well in Mirjan fort nbsp A well and some ruins inside the Mirjan fort nbsp Prayer hall and the Mihrab at the Mirjan fort nbsp Mirjan Fort in rainy seasonSee also EditChaturmukha Basadi GerusoppaReferences Edit a b c d e Excavations 2000 2005 Karnataka Fort Mirjan dt Uttar Kannada Archaeological Survey of India and National Informatics Centre Retrieved 24 May 2010 a b c d e f g h Miscellany Deccan Herald 24 May 2010 Retrieved 24 May 2010 a b c d Sarkar Jadunath 1992 Shivaji and his times Orient Blackswan pp 172 173 ISBN 81 250 1347 4 Retrieved 25 May 2010 a b c Tribute to Pepper Queen Mirjan Fort Travelogues oktatabyebye 11 June 2009 Archived from the original on 12 June 2009 Retrieved 25 May 2010 a b c Jyotsna Kamat 7 May 2010 Queen of Gersoppa Chennabhairadevi Brave Ruler of Gersoppa 1552 1606 C E Kamatpotporri Retrieved 25 May 2010 Ramaswamy Chitra 15 April 2014 Where the pepper queen ruled No Bangalore Deccan Herald Retrieved 19 January 2015 a b c Naravane M S 1998 The maritime and coastal forts of India p 91 ISBN 81 7024 910 4 Retrieved 24 May 2010 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a work ignored help Buff James Grant 1971 History of the Mahrattas p xii ISBN 81 7020 958 7 Retrieved 25 May 2010 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a work ignored help Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency Ka nara 2 pts Govt Central Press 1883 p 313 Retrieved 25 May 2010 Bhat L S Chandrashekhar Dhundiraj Deshpande 1988 Strategy for integrated area development case study of North Kanara p 28 ISBN 81 7022 198 6 Retrieved 25 May 2010 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a work ignored help A Remote Sensing Approach for Establishing the Soil Physiographic Relationship in the Coastal Agro Eco system of North Karnataka Retrieved 1 February 2018 Masure Maharashtra Government Retrieved 26 May 2010 Pires Tome Armando Cortesao Francisco Rodrigues 1990 The Suma oriental of Tome Pires an account of the East from the Red Sea to Asian Educational Services p 60 ISBN 81 206 0535 7 Retrieved 26 May 2010 Karnataka State gazetteer Volume 16 The Director of Print Stationery and Publications at the Govt Press 1965 p 947 Retrieved 25 May 2010 Indian archaeology a review Archaeological Survey of India 1998 Retrieved 25 May 2010 Indian Archaeology A review PDF 194 Fort Mirjan Uttarakannada Archaeological Survey of India 2001 p 260 Retrieved 25 May 2010 Iron bullets excavated in Karnataka Express India Retrieved 26 May 2010 External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mirjan Fort Coordinates of Mirjan Fort Mirjan Fort on Google Maps Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mirjan Fort amp oldid 1116171476, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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