Marsh Crocodiles

The Adil Shahis have the distinction of being the most prolific of all the Deccan builders. They have to their credit one of the greatest forts of India, at Bijapur. Within and around this astonishing citadel, which is still in use as District Court and administrative office.The Adil Shahis continued a campaign of incessant building for nearly 150 years which resulted in numerous public works, a series of tombs unrivalled, except by the Mughals, and over fifty mosques.


Fort 0f Bijapur - Arkilla with Marsh Crocodiles in Khandak water

The fort itself is composed of an immense ring wall 10 kilometers in perimeter, up to 12 metres thick and 10 metres high, and strengthened by over 100 bastions. The 12 meter wall thickness consist of two black stone walls sandwiched with balck mud and mortar. Even if the cannon fires to the walls of the fort, the ammunition could have made hole to the outer wall of the fort, and the mud between the walls would stop any damage to the inner walls.

The Fort construction started right during the time of the Founder King Yousef Adil Shah.. He built the Arkilla Fort (the central fort within which the Citadal, the main Darbar halls, Palaces of King The Farooq Mahal, Chinni mahal, Queens and elite were protected the Arkilla Fort. It was surrounded by deep Khandaq (cannels) – filled with Water and the marsh Crocodiles. So that even if enemy military succeeded in entering the city through Beroun Killa (External Fort) and if at all they try to cross the Khandaq , the dangerous Marsh Crocodiles would have never let them reach the Arkilla walls. Yousef Adil Shah constructed the famous Shahpur Fort (now called as Chapra Fort) of Goa.

He was using Goa as the second capital of Adil Shahi Kingdom. The breeding and nurturing of the marsh Crocodiles was in the Goan region . The folk lore of Goa still keeps record of these marsh Crocodiles as warrior Crocodiles.

Marsh crocodiles, who once "fought wars" to save Goa from being captured by Portuguese rulers are now facing extinction due to increased poaching, environmentalists feel.

"The crocodile sightings have drastically reduced in the recent times. The reasons could surely be habitat destruction and poaching", says environmentalists, who are closely following these reptiles.

Cumbharjua-Banastarim canal, part of Mhadei river in north Goa near here, has been the habitat of these crocodiles, which led a 'naval warfare' during famous Banastarim battle in 1511.

"They were used twice, first in 1510 and 1511, when Adil Shah of Bijapur made the last ditch attempt to save his territory (parts of Goa) from Portuguese, Prajal Sakhardande, a historian said.

Post-1510 and 1511 battle, Portuguese had their second conquest in the form of Tiswadi Island and Banastarim fort.

Crocodiles played major role in the battle. The soldiers who used to walk on a temporary wooden bridge which connected them to the fort were thrown in the water so that they are attacked by these reptiles.

This warfare technique was unique to Adil Shah, he said. Interestingly, these crocodiles and their warrior spirit also finds place in the Goan folklore.

"The folklore confirms these crocodiles were specially brought in to be used in warfare. But I think they must be already existing in Goan waters and were used as warriors as they were natural inhabitants here,".

Since Goa managed to attain liberation in 1961, these crocodiles which were ostensibly a part of the history, gave been facing increasing risk of extinction.

Almost three metres in length, these marsh crocodile have olive brown colour with yellowish white underbelly.

"They usually spend the day basking on the banks or rocks ready to slip into the waters on slight disturbance, and look spectacular with their open mouths and listless bodies simmering in the afternoon sun,"

Realising the importance of security of new expanded their territories Ismail adil shah ,Ibrahim Adil Ahah I, and Ali Adil Shah I protected by constructing new forts. These four Kings never made their tombs, rather invested their efforts in securing and constructing these forts.

After the Victory of Vijay Nagar Dynesty Ali Adil Shah expanded the territory of Adil Shahs. He constructed and repaired the Bijapur Forts, The Raichur Forts (Do Abba – Land of two reviers), Adhoni Fort, Vellore Forts. He constructed the Belgum Fort, Dharward Fort, The Sholapur Fort etc. He also constructed the south India'slargest Jamia masjid in Bijapur. His tomb Ali Ka Roza is very simple in its architecture.

Some of the Forts of Bijapur are much taller and stronger than the fort constructed by Mughals. The deccan plateu is a plain, that could be the reason the walls of the forts are as high as 10 metres. Most of the forts are facing danger due to lack of care and enchrochment in Bijapur.


References

1. Mohammad Sadiq.S.Sindgi
2. Times of India