Bot at 11:30, 19 August 2022

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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2017}}

{{Infobox Military Structure
|name = Bankot Fort
|partof = Malabar sea coast
|location = [[Ratnagiri district]], [[Maharashtra]]
|map_type=India Maharashtra
| map_size = 300
|map_caption = Shown within [[Maharashtra]]
|type = Sea fort
|coordinates = {{coord|17|58|23.6|N|73|02|33.1|E}}
|materials = Stone
|height = 300 Ft.
|used =
|condition = Ruins
|ownership = {{flagcountry|India}} Government of India
|open_to_public = Yes
|controlledby = {{noflag}}[[Adil Shahi dynasty|Bijapur]] (-1548) {{flagcountry|Portuguese Empire}} (1548-1699) {{flagicon image|Janjira State Merchant Flag vector.svg|Siddi Sultanate|Janjira}}Janjira State (1699-1713) {{flagcountry|Maratha Empire}} (1713-1755) {{flagcountry|United Kingdom}}
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the British East India Company (1801).svg}} [[East India Company]] (1755-1857)
* {{flagicon image|British Raj Red Ensign.svg}} [[British Raj]] (1857-1947)
{{flagcountry|India}} (1947-)
}}

'''Bankot Fort''' / '''Himmatgad Fort'''/ '''Fort Victoria''' is a fort located 47 km from [[Dapoli]], in [[Ratnagiri district]], of [[Maharashtra]]. This fort is an important fort in Ratnagiri district. The Fort is located on a prominent and commanding point for guarding the trade route along the [[Savitri River]], which runs till, [[Mahad]] which was a busy route in medieval times. It is a fort located on a hill near the sea.

==History==
First record evidence about this fort is found in the records of Greek geographer [[Ptolemy]] in first century AD. It was then called as Mandargiri or Mandagora. The Chinese traveller [[Hieun Tsang]] is supposed to have embarked in Bankot in 640 AD. This fort was captured by the Portuguese from [[Mohammed Adil Shah, Sultan of Bijapur|Mohammed Adil Shah]] of [[Bijapur]] in 1548. It was won by maratha [[Koli People|Koli]] Admiral<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/as-nda-cadet-i-was-witness-to-vice-admiral-awatis-kindness/145378/|title=As NDA cadet, I was witness to Vice Admiral Awati's kindness|last=LT GEN K. J.|first=SINGH|website=ThePrint.In|accessdate=7 November 2018}}</ref> Kanhoji Angre in 1700 and named as Himmatgad. Due to rivalry between Tulaji Angre and [[Peshwas]]. Peshwas allied with [[United Kingdom|British]] and waged a war with Tulaji. In 1755 this fort surrendered to Commodore James of British fleet after the fall of [[Suvarnadurg]].<ref name="maharashtra.gov.in">{{cite web|url=https://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/RATNAGIRI/places_Bankot.html |title=The Gazetteers Department - RATNAGIRI |publisher=Cultural.maharashtra.gov.in |date= |accessdate=2018-09-11}}</ref> British forces captured the fort and named it as Fort Victoria. Later it was revealed by the British that it was not an economically viable deal to maintain the fort and it was handed over to [[Peshwas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trekshitiz.com/trekshitiz/Ei/Bankot-Trek-Ratnagiri-District.html|title=Bankot, Ratnagiri District, Western Ghats, India, Adventure, Trekking|website=trekshitiz.com}}</ref> In 1837 the Mamlatdars office was moved from Bankot to [[Mandangad]].

==How to reach==
The nearest town is [[Harihareshwar]] which is 201 km from [[Mumbai]] and 194 km from [[Pune]] by road. The base village of the fort is Bankot which is 47 km from Dapoli and 21 km from [[Shrivardhan]]. To reach from Harihareshwar one has to avail the Bagmandala to Bankot base village ferry service to cross the Savitri river.There are good hotels at Dapoli and Shrivardhan. Now tea and snacks are also available in small hotels along the coastal road. The trekking path starts from the hillock west of the Bankot village. Now there is very safe and wide road up to the fort. It takes about half an hour to reach the entrance gate of the fort.

==Places to see==
The fort is built by Lateritic rocks. Surrounding the fort is a moat dug up in the lateritic rock. There are two gates to the fort. The northern Entrance gate facing the Bankot creek is the main gate. The western gate opens up on a plateau. The main entrance has vestibules for the gate keepers. Climbing ahead is Nagarkhana which can be reached by climbing steps to view the Savitri river. From the western doorway, the bastion over the ramparts can be reached. There is a secret entrance near the Bastion. This Bastion was built by the Siddis to strengthen Bankot Fort. At Velas, there are two temples dedicated to Shri Rameshwar and Kalbhairav gods constructed by Moroba Dada Phadnis and [[Nana Phadnis]] respectively<ref name="maharashtra.gov.in"/>

{{Coord|17|58|23.6|N|73|02|33.1|E|display=title}}

The government of Maharashtra has undertaken the renovation of Bankot Fort and the work is in full progress.

== See also ==
{{commons category|Bankot Fort}}
* [[List of forts in Maharashtra]]
* [[List of forts in India]]
* [[Maritime history of Europe]]
* [[Kanhoji Angre]]
* [[Marathi people|Marathi People]]
* [[Portuguese India]]
* [[Maratha Navy]]
* [[List of Maratha dynasties and states]]
* [[Maratha War of Independence]]
* [[Battles involving the Maratha Empire]]
* [[Maratha Army]]
* [[Maratha titles]]
* [[Military history of India]]
* [[List of people involved in the Maratha Empire]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Forts in Maharashtra}}
{{MarathaEmpire}}
{{Portuguese overseas empire}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures of the Maratha Empire]]
[[Category:Forts in Ratnagiri district]]
[[Category:16th-century forts in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Konkan]]
[[Category:Former populated places in India]]
[[Category:Maritime history of England| ]]
[[Category:Hiking trails in India]]
[[Category:Backpacking|*]]

Bankot fort - Revision history

Bot at 11:30, 19 August 2022