Gowalkot (Govindgad)

Gowalkot is a small fort located on the southern bank of the Vashishthi river around 10 km from Chiplun. This fort was built to guard the port of Chiplun. This fort is surrounded by a river on three sides & trench on the fourth side. A Karanjeshwari Mandir at the foothills is a famous religious place. There are 22 canons in the fort from the British and Maratha eras. The longest one is around 7.5 meters in the length. Fort offers a great lookout point on the river Vashisthi, which was an important trade route

According to the sayings, the fort was owned by a Hindu King Chougule, who converted to Islam. Most of the land here is owned by the Chougule family. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj won this fort in 1660 & renamed it Govindgad. Peshwa was the last ruler of the fort & then East India Company took charge from them. Now the fort is under the care of the Government Of India

This fort is best situated as guardian of Chiplun port. It is at strategic point as lookout on Vashisthi River Valley, which was an important trade route.