The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c7.s8.199

c7.s8.199

or a spit of land more than half surrounded by the sea; if in the low country, on some steep hill commanding a river or a pass; if on the Gháts, on some projecting spur or rock, or above a great natural scarp. The construction of all is on the same principle, the whole top of the hill or the end of the promontory is surrounded by a wall relieved by numerous bastions. If there is any slope or place likely to invite approach, an outwork is projected and connected with the main fort by a passage between a double wall. There is seldom more than one entrance to the fort, and this is generally the strongest part and the most noticeable. The outer gateway is thrown forward and protected by a bastion on each side and often by a tower above; entering this a narrow passage winding between two high walls leads to the inner gate, which is in the face of the main wall, and defended by bastions which command the approach. This arrangement in a time when guns could not compete with stone walls rendered the approach to the gates very hazardous. Inside the main wall there was generally an inner fortress or citadel, and surrounding this were the various buildings required for the accommodation of the troops, and also magazines tanks and wells. In many of the greater forts living houses for the commandant or massive round towers were built upon the wall of the main works on the least accessible side. The larger forts had generally a town or *petha* clustered about the base of the hill on which the fort stood. Finally may be mentioned, as one of the invariable features of Shiváji's forts, a small shrine with an image of Hanumán the monkey god, standing just inside the main gate.