Mirjan Fort – A Lost Fort of India

Mirjan Fort Near Gokarna – Fort of the Pepper Queen

“Why don’t you visit the Mirjan Fort”?

That was our autorickshaw (tuk-tuk) driver Vitthal whom we had hired to drop us off at the Om Beach in Gokarna, Karnataka India.

It was almost afternoon on a hot April day. Our original plan was to spend some time on the Om Beach and then take a boat to visit the nearby Paradise and Half Moon beaches and return back to the Gokarna Beach also by boat. But our plans were thrown out of gear by the rough behavior of the Arabian Sea which chose that day to show its wild side. The beaches were closed and there were no boats. We had half a day to spare before we caught our night bus back to Bangalore and were considering options when the autorickshaw driver said, “why don’t you visit the Mirjan Fort”?

Where is Mirjan Fort? How far is it from Gokarna? How do you get to Mirjan Fort? What is there to see in Mirjan Fort? What is the history of Mirjan Fort? Why should one visit Mirjan Fort?

We fired these questions in quick succession at Vitthal. He parried them all off with elan. We were impressed with his answers, so much so, we were soon seated in the autorickshaw making our way towards the Mirjan Fort after having worked out a deal with Vitthal which was a win-win situation for all concerned.

Where is Mirjan Fort

Mirjan Fort, Mirjan Fort Road, Mirjan, Karnataka

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We found out that the distance from Gokarna to Mirjan Fort is about 22 kilometers and the distance from Om Beach to Mirjan Fort is around 26 kilometers. From Gokarna, you need to move on to the National Highway 66. Mirjan Fort is off the NH 66 and if you are traveling from Gokarna you need to take a right turn After covering about 21 kilometers and travel further for about a kilometer to reach the Mirjan Fort.

There is a direction board on the National Highway for the Mirjan Fort. The nearest town to the Mirjan Fort is Kumta which is about 11 kilometers away. Incidentally, Yana, a place famous for its peculiar Karst rock formations known as Bhairaveshwara Shikhara and Mohini Shikhara also is located nearby and is about 21 kilometers from Kumta. Yana is a haven for adventure seekers and trekkers with the tranquil Vibuti falls in its vicinity. The distance between Mirjan fort to Yana is about 30 kilometers.

The History of Mirjan Fort

Who built the Mirjan Fort? When was Mirjan Fort built? Who lived in the fort? What stories do the ruins of Mirjan Fort hold in its bosom?

These were some of the questions that ran through our minds as the autorickshaw hit the NH 66 and we set course for Mirjan Fort near Gokarna. We did not actually find any information about the fort at its location nor were the locals we met aware of its history. We had to do our own secondary research online to be able to understand the history and importance of the Mirjan Fort, though of course many of our questions remain unanswered and lost in the pages of the history of the Mirjan Fort.

There are different versions of the origin of the Mirjan Fort. But as per the most popular one, the Mirjan Fort was built in the16th century by a queen of the Saluva clan named Chennabhairadevi. She was the queen of Gersoppa which is a small town that is located about 30 kilometers from present-day Jog Falls on the banks of the Sharavathi.

The Mirjan Fort was built near the village of Mirjan on the banks of the river Aganashini. However, some versions say that the Queen Chennabhairadevi only renovated and took control of the fort in the 16th century and it was actually built much earlier, in fact as early as 1200 by the rulers of the Nawayath Sultanate.

It is said that the Queen Chennabhairadevi lived in the fort for 54 years. Her supremacy extended across the North and South Kanara regions and even parts of South Goa. This region included key ports like Malpe, Mirjan, Ankola, Karwar, and others. Pepper which was a much sought after spice in those days wound its way to the cities of Europe through these ports. Queen Chennabhairadevi controlled the trade and was known by the Portuguese as “Raina-Da-Pimenta”, which meant “Pepper Queen”, in Portuguese. The Queen was the epitome of bravery and statesmanship.and managed to hold on to her domain battling the onslaught from foreign forces as well as local skirmishes. She herself followed the religion of Jainism but encouraged the construction of not only Jain Temples in the area but also Hindu temples. She ruled her kingdom with a just and fair mind in spite of constant military actions. It is fascinating to note that in the region in those days the matriarchy system existed and she as the rightful heir to the throne ruled her kingdom.

It is unfortunate that many of her tales of bravery and wisdom are lost in the annals of history. Most people are familiar with the famous and brave queens in the history of India, like the Queen of Jhansi, Kittur Rani Chennamma, etc., but how many have heard of the Pepper Queen of India – Queen Chennabhairadevi?

The Mirjan Fort Today

The Autorickshaw slowed down and turned right into what looked like a small village road. A board apparently installed by the Archaeological Survey of India confirmed that we were on the right track and near our destination.

We soon arrived at the Mirjan Fort – Fort of the Pepper Queen. Vitthal parked the autorickshaw beneath a mango tree which had small, tempting green mangoes hanging from the branches. There was a small shop near the tree which sold some soft drinks and allied stuff.

We got down and immediately our eyes were riveted to the magnificent facade of the Mirjan Fort which stood majestically with the clear blue skies as a canvas. We made our way towards two huge iron gates which were closed. No one was around and it did feel a bit eerie as we opened the gate and ventured inside the fort.

The Mirjan fort sprawls over an area of about 10 acres. We seemed to have this huge fort to ourselves. There were no other visitors, no guides, no pestering photographers, no hawkers!

Except for a board which proclaimed that the Mirjan Fort was a protected monument and another one which had the Mirjan Fort timings, there was absolutely no signage. We wandered around the fort exploring the ruins of what must have once been a magnificent structure, and architectural and engineering marvel of the times.

The Mirjan Fort has four entrances and is built of red laterite stone which is abundant in the region. The fort is enclosed by a double wall and encircled by a moat. There are indications of a drawbridge having existed too.

There are deep wells that can still be seen inside the fort. These wells are interconnected and it is believed these wells were the source of water to fill the moat.

There are steps that lead downwards to the wells. There are apparently many secret passages and the ruins indicate the existence of a Darbar Hall and a marketplace.

The Mirjan Fort also has a watch-tower and turrets which have survived the passage of history.

The views from the fort are breathtaking, green fields stretch as far as the eyes can see.

Towards one corner of the fort, we found this tree which stands like a solitary sentinel within the vast and barren area of the fort. Somehow the tree seemed intriguing given its surroundings. Beneath the tree is some statues of Hindu Gods and Goddesses which are said to have been discovered in the ruins.

What lay so still and silent with only the wind breaking its sepulchral quiet must have once echoed with the boom of cannons as battles raged for control of the fort and the surrounding regions.

Queen Chennabhairadevi must have walked on the same place that we stood many, many years later.

We spent about an hour wandering amongst the ruins of this lost fort of India and then we walked out of the Mirjan Fort thinking about the Pepper queen and her triumphs and defeats. We took one last look at the fort of the pepper queen before we got into the autorickshaw to head back to Gokarna.

Mirjan Fort, Gokarna – What to Know Before You Go

• Bangalore to Mirjan Fort distance is of about 464 kilometers
• If you are doing a road trip from Bangalore to Gokarna, or Bangalore to Karwar, or Bangalore to Goa, or Bangalore to Murdeshwar, you can visit Mirjan Fort on the way
• The nearest airport to Mirjan Fort is the Dabolim Airport in Goa which is about 160 kilometers away
• The nearest railway station to Mirjan Fort is Kumta Railway Station
• The major towns near Mirjan Fort are as follows:
  • Gokarna to Mirjan Fort distance is 22 kilometers
  • Kumta to Mirjan Fort distance is 11 kilometers
  • Ankola to Mirjan Fort distance is 27 kilometers
  • Honnavar to Mirjan Fort distance is 31 kilometers
  • Bhatkal to Mirjan Fort distance is 68 kilometers
• If you are looking to visit and explore the Mirjan Fort, it is advisable to read up about its history and structure as there is no information available at the location

Voyager Tips For Visiting The Mirjan Fort

• If you are traveling from Gokarna to Mirjan Fort it is advisable to drive down in your own car or bike or hire an autorickshaw for a round trip as there are no other ‘convenient’ means of transport to get back
• The best time to visit the Mirjan Fort would be during the winter months as it would be cooler
• If you visit the Mirjan Fort during the rainy season or just after the monsoon, you will be able to see the Mirjan Fort enveloped in a green cover
• Ensure you have your quota of water and light snacks when you visit Mirjan Fort
• Entry to the Mirjan Fort is free, there is no ticket as of now
• The Mirjan Fort timings are from 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM
• Leave nothing at the Mirjan Fort, take nothing except plenty of pictures
• If you are looking for best Hotels near Mirjan Fort then you could look for staying options in Gokarna or Ankola

Karnataka Tourism

How To Get To Gokarna / Mirjan Fort  

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Where to stay in Gokarna or Ankola

If you are planning to visit Gokarna andMirjan Fort, Karnataka, India then you must be wondering where to stay in Gokarna or in Ankola or the best hotels in Gokarna or in Ankola. For best accommodation in Gokarna or in Ankola, we recommend HotelsCombined or Booking.com or Agoda to save huge and get best deals on booking your stay in Gokarna or in Ankola.

Driving around Gokarna

If you are looking at getting best deals on car rental in Gokarna, Karnataka, India look no further. You can rent a car in Gokarna Karnataka, India to explore and experience amazing Gokarna and in and around areas and embark on a road trip of exploration and discovery of Gokarna area, Karnataka, India. Alternatively, if you have a valid Indian driving license then you could also rent a self-drive car from Bangalore which includes free fuel and insurance.

We loved the seclusion of the Mirjan Fort. Of course, it is unlike the forts of Rajasthan, like the Amer Fort, but it has a quiet understated beauty that grows on you. We recommend that you visit Mirjan Fort on your trip to Gokarna and lose yourself in its serenity and unspoken stories from history. It would be a nice change after the beach hopping in Gokarna.

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