The Dynasties of the Kanarese Districts of the Bombay Presidency from the Earliest Historical Times to the Musalman Conquest c7.s8.202

c7.s8.202

is the most perfect example of a great coast fortress, which was also as much of a palace as the Marátha chiefs allowed themselves. This stands on a spit of land projecting into the broad estuary of a noble river, and communication with the continent was cut off by a ditch which extended across the spit. The outer walls are washed by the sea round the greatest part of their extent, and wherever that is not the case out-works are thrown forward down to the shore. The citadel is of great size, and the walls both of it and of the main works are immensely massive and lofty, and thus looking up from the landing place a triple line of most formidable defences is seen. On one side a great round tower and other buildings rise from the highest part of the main wall, and from these the view is lovely and varied. In front the open sea, on one side the broad estuary, and on the other one of those little coves of white sand bounded by black rocky promontories which are so common through the Southern Konkan. Behind the river stretches away to the blue line of the distant Gháts.