Bharatgad Fort

Bharatgad Fort stands on Masure hill on the south bank of the Gad river, or Kalaval creek, 18 km from Malvan in Sindhudurg district. Shivaji visited in 1670 but gave up the site for lack of water. Phonda Sawant of Wadi began the fort in 1680 and completed it in 1701; Tulaji Angre tried to take it in 1748, and Captain Hutchinson captured it in 1818, finding its well dry.

The fort covers 4 to 5 acres planted with mango orchards and is private property. Its gates and nine bastions are in good condition, and the whole is ringed by a moat 20 feet wide and 10 feet deep. At the centre, the balekilla is enclosed by a 10-foot wall with four strong bastions and holds a well, gunpowder and grain stores and a Mahapurush temple. There is also a cave and a hidden door. A visit takes about an hour, and Bharatgad and nearby Bhadwantgad can be seen in a single day from the base village of Masure.