Padmadurg (Kasa Fort)

Padmadurg, also called Kasa Fort, is one of five sea forts that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built, and lies in Raigad district. He raised it in 1676 about 4 km north-west of Janjira, to keep watch on the Siddi stronghold there and to control naval movement in the Arabian Sea, and it also served as his main shipbuilding yard. In 1759 the Marathas under Raghuji Angre won it back from the Siddis, together with Underi fort.

The fort sits on a rock island and is built of sandstone and lime mortar. It covers roughly 9 acres, with six rounded bastions and three lines of defence: an outer retaining wall, a separate padkot and an inner citadel. Inside are dry water tanks, ammunition stores, barracks, temple ruins including one of Kandeshwari, and many cannon positions; surveys found 46–47 rusted cannons and about 250 cannonballs. Partly ruined and protected by the ASI, it can be visited only with permission from the Customs or Navy, and can also be seen from Janjira.