History

Alibag 300 years old city, enigmatic capital of Shivaji’s admiral Kanoji Angre, home to a Jewish Synagogue and cemetery, the only place in the konkan to have a Portugese and a Maratha seafort on opposite banks of the same inland waterway.

Alibag has the famous Kolaba fort in the sea. Kanhoji Angre created the town of Alibag towards end of 17th century. Legend has it that a wealthy Muslim named Ali Owned many plantations, which gave the town the name Alibag. Alibag is the seat of District Administration of Raigad (formerly Kolaba) district since 1852. The name Kolaba is attributed to a Sea Fort Kolaba built by Shivaji the great, in 1680 to fight the mighty naval prowess of the Siddis' (Abyssenians) of Janjira and the British of Mumbai. Kolaba fort is famous for many battles, between Siddis and Kanhoji Angre, the British and the Portugese.

The Kolaba Fort is accessible only at low ebb through a 1 km long land strip that is covered during high tide. The fort has sweet water well in the middle, temples, fortifications and guns facing the sea. Being on the fort gives you a taste of the history of Alibag.