$1734-1736$
$1736-1740$
$1740-1746$
$1746-1758$
$1758-1759$
$1759-1761$
$1761-1772$
$1772-1784$
$1784-1789$
$1789-1794$
$1794-1803$
$1803-1825$
$1825-1848$
$1848-1879$
$1879-1922$
$1922-1948$  
The reconstruction of the exterior and interior structures of the fort of Janjira was finally completed in 1728 under the rule of Sidi Surur Khan, also known as Yakut Khan II (see Table 1), and the fort proved to be impregnable. The main and only entrance to the fort was flanked by a series of bastions and was constructed in such a way that it was not visible until a boat was in close proximity to it. This provided a clear advantage for the Sidis within the fort. Altogether, it had 22 bastions that were 80 feet high and formed the consolidated exterior of the fort, each comprising canons, vantage points and designated ammunition storage areas (Damad, c.1920, pp. 40, 41, 48; Peshimam n.d., p. 9). In total, 572 cannons were used to protect and defend the fort from attack, the largest of which was named Kalal Bangadi, measuring 17 feet in length and with a bore of 14 inches. The origin of this canon is disputed by historians (Naravane, 2001, p. 105). There were several carvings of animals and Persian inscriptions in various parts of the fort, including an inscription attributing the construction of the fort to Yakut Khan II (Chitnis, 1999, pp. 4-6; Kadri, n.d., pp. 70-71, 74-75). The fort was a self-contained township comprising two freshwater lakes, royal residences, tombs and mosques, as well as residences for retainers, soldiers and Sidi sardars or chiefs. ${ }^{1}$
![img-7.jpeg](img_ref_8)
figure 1. View of the fortress