Book Description

Sindhudurg district is the Southern part of the greater tract known as the "Konkan" which is historically famous for its long coast line and safe harbours. Sindhudurg district was earlier a part of the Ratnagiri district. For administrative convenience and industrial and agricultural development Ratnagiri district was divided into Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg with effect from 1st May, 1981. Sindhudurg (Sindhu= Sea, Durg= Fort) was built by the great Maratha warrior leader Shivaji in 1664. Shivaji selected the strategic rocky island location "Kurte" for the fort himself to counter foreign forces and to keep the nearby Siddis of Murud-Janjira in check. Shivaji himself was one of the 6000 skilled construction workers on this massive maritime fort project.