Mirjan Fort is known for its architectural elegance. It is located on the west coast of the Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka state, India. This fort has seen many historic battles in the past.
According to one historical version, Queen Chennabhairadevi (who reigned from 1552 to 1606) of Gersoppa (under the Vijayanagara Empire) constructed this fort in the 16th century. Gerusoppa is a village in Honnavar Taluk, Uttara Kannada district. She reigned under the protection of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Another version says that the Nawayath Sultanate built this fort in early 1200. This is recorded in the book written by Ibn Battuta, a famous explorer, and author of many renowned books. He widely traveled the medieval world, over a period of 30 years. Then, the fort came under the Vijayanagara Empire. The fort was refurbished in 1608.
Another version of the history says that a Bijapur noble, Sherif-ul Mulk, built this fort. He did this as the first line of defense to protect Kumta town and the fort located to it the south of Mirjan Fort.
Yet another version says that this fort was under the Vijayanagara Empire. After the fall of their empire, Bijapur sultans captured the fort. Sharief-ul-Mulk, the then-governor of Goa, is believed to have either built or refurbished the fort.
The great Marathas had seized the Mirjan Fort in 1757. Between May 1783 and March 1784, the British had captured the fort. The fort is in a ruined condition.
The famous Hindu pilgrimage center, Murudeshwar, where the World’s second tallest Lord Shiva statue, is located is around 60 kilometers from this fort.
How Do I Go to Mirjan Fort?
Mirjan Railway Station is the nearest station at a distance of 2 kilometers from the fort. The station code for Mirjan is MRJN. It is a small station with just one platform.
Gokarna Road railway station (code GOK) is 14 kilometers from the fort ruins. It is also a small station with just one platform.
Karwar railway station is one of the nearest major stations with many trains stopping there. The trains on this route usually start and terminate at Krwar. It has two platforms. The station code for Karwar railway station is KAWR. Karwar town is around 55 kilometers from the Mirjan fort.