The Fort in Ruins at Mirjaan...

THE MIRJAN FORT

This fort is in the Mirjan village on NH-17, 10 km from Kumta in Uttara Kannada District.The Fort at Mirjan was constructed during A.D 1608-1640.

Excavation conducted at the site during the field season 2000-01 has unearthed a number of laterite structures of medieval period . The structural remains include a U shaped structure with a cloister all around.

Towards the west of the U shaped structures, a circular soakage pit constructed of dressed laterite stones and water tank connected with water carrier were exposed. Among the antiquities mention may be made of a unique gold coin issued in A.D. 1652 by the Portuguese Viceroy Conde De Sarzedas during the rule of JOAO IV. The other antiquities include canon balls, Chinese Porcelain, clay tablets with Islamic inscriptions. (Text Source - Yashaswipayana)

From the Deccan Herald -

The Mirjan Fort must have witnessed numerous battles, ghastly episodes of violence and the tears and joys of kings and their subjects. Today, this serene historical site reminds tourists of the glories of the past. The fort is situated on NH17, about 11 km from Kumta, on the way to the famous pilgrim and tourist centre of Gokarna. Situated in an area of over 10 acres, the laterite-stone-built Mirjan fort has broad steps that lead to the interiors of the fort, where the ruins make visitors ponder over the lost historical significance of the place. There is a reference to Mirjan in the records of foreign travellers like De Barros, Barbosa, Hamilton and Buchanan. Barros, in whose record Mirjan is referred to as Mergan, was under the rule of Vijayanagar kings. While in 1720 Hamilton referred to Mirjan as a small harbour famous for pepper, cussia and wild nutmeg, in 1801, Buchanan referred to it as Midijoy. The historical records that are available state that the place was under the governance of Gerusoppa rulers during Vijayanagara times. Soon after the fall of Gerusoppa rulers, Bijapur sultans are said to have conquered the place and Sharief-ul-mulk, the governor of Goa, is believed to have either built or renovated the fort here.Keladi queen Chennamma conquered the territories at a later stage.The number of wells (as many as nine) inside the fort, the routes connecting these wells to the outside of the fort and the canal works surrounding the fort make one infer that these waterways must have been used for ferrying. The fort also has traces of a secret outlet, entrance doors, an astounding darbar hall and a market place. The remains of some idols, believed to have been found in the fort, have now taken refuge under the shade of a big tree.

Seven dumb-bells, 50 iron bullets, coins and designed earth pots belonging to Sarpamallika dynasty were found during excavation at Mirjan fort in Kumata taluk, 120 km from Dharwad district of Karnataka. State archaeological department superintendent K Veerabhadrappa said here on Thursday that the dumb-bells, weighed 20 kg each, and the iron bullets were more than 500 years old. - Indian Express

From Aayirecipes.com :-

While growing up, Independence day and republic day of India were big occasions for all kids. There used to be preparations for the parade weeks before these days. On the big day, there used to be flag hoisting in our school early in the morning. Then our teachers would take us in a procession to a old fort in a nearby village called ‘Mirjan’. There, the kids of all neighboring schools would gather. The Chairman of the Mirjan gram(village) would hoist the flag and give a speech. They would distribute some sweets/candys to all the kids and we would come back to our respective schools. Ohh, I can’t explain how happy we used to be to get those sweets/candys, even though we used to eat like princes/princesses daily at home, those small pieces distributed on these days were a big treat for us. We also got to meet so many other school children, some of whom were very arrogant to talk and some were very friendly. I also remember, only 4+ standard(grade) children were taken to this fort because it was quite far and we had to walk all the way. More here...

More Links -
1. Archeological Survey of India - http://www.asi.nic.in/asi_exca_2005_karnataka.asp
2. http://golden-chariot.com/sites.html#13
3. Google Books - Shivaji and his times By Sir Jadunath Sarkar
4. http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/military/40679.htm
5. http://www.jstor.org/pss/1150031
6. http://karwar-ramdas.blogspot.com/