Mirjan Fort - Historic Fortress of the Pepper Queen near Murudeshwar

The origins of Mirjan Fort are debated, but it is most famously associated with Queen Chennabhairadevi of Gersoppa, who ruled in the 16th century. Known as the 'Rani of Spices' or the 'Pepper Queen' by the Portuguese, she controlled the lucrative pepper trade from this fort. It served as a strategic port and stronghold for her kingdom. Over the centuries, the fort saw many battles and changed hands, falling to the Bijapur Sultanate, Marathas, and eventually the British. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) took over its maintenance in the 20th century, and excavation work has revealed artifacts and structures that shed light on its past.

Mirjan Fort's significance lies in its unique laterite architecture and its pivotal role in the history of the spice trade on the Kanara coast. It stands as a testament to the reign of Queen Chennabhairadevi, one of the few powerful female monarchs of her time in the region. The fort’s design, with double walls, a moat, and multiple wells, showcases advanced defensive planning for its era. As a protected ASI monument, it is an important archaeological site that offers valuable insights into the political and economic landscape of 16th-century coastal Karnataka.