Mumbai’s lesser-known iconic forts: A trip down the history lane

Few know that Bombay was fortified to resist enemy assault and several other forts had been constructed for this function.

Mumbai was as soon as a bunch of a number of islands collectively referred to as Bombay. From the Marathas to the Mughals, British and even Portuguese, reigned over it at completely different time limits. Few know that Bombay was fortified to resist enemy assault and several other forts had been constructed for this function. Although fairly just a few of them have been ravaged by time, their marks nonetheless stay, having withstood the checks of climate over the many years. Listed below are some wonderful info of the forts that mark the town’s superb previous…

Bassein Fort

Constructed by the Portuguese in 1536 and unfold over 110 acres, the Bassein Fort aka Vasai Fort is without doubt one of the finest specimens of Indo-European defensive structure. This big fort had three convents, six church buildings, one cathedral along with quite a few private and non-private buildings together with the unique St. Sebastian Fort, Misericordia, senate home, city corridor, manufacturing facility, hospital, faculty, library, coin mint and a buzzing market. This industrial, political and army base of the Portuguese for almost 300 years, was residence to 2400 troopers, 300 residents, nobles and artisans.

In 1739, the Marathas, beneath the management of Chimaji Appa, the youthful brother of Peshwa Bajirao I, took management of the fort and positioned many victory symbols within the premises, together with a temple and a statue. In 1802, the British took away the territory from the Marathas after the Treaty of Bassein. Curiously, the court docket door of the Bassein Fort continues to be preserved fastidiously on the Treatment Church in Vasai. Although giant elements of this historic fort-city have fallen to destroy, a number of watch-towers, with secure staircases main up, nonetheless stand. The fort is a well-liked capturing location for Bollywood movies and songs.

It’s a Nationally Protected Monuments beneath Archaeological Survey of India.

Sion Fort

Constructed on a hillock by the British beneath the East India Firm between 1669 and 1677, the Sion Fort marked the boundary between the Parel Island held by them and the Portuguese-controlled Salsette Island, north throughout the creek.

Providing a panoramic view of the jap coast, the Sion Fort has a collection of gorgeous pathways, a few ruined rooms and an outdated canon on the prime. On the base, is a backyard named after Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. From one facet of the fort, one can take pleasure in a placing view of the distant salt pans within the Thane Creek.

Restoration of the Sion Fort, which was notified as a Grade I Heritage Construction, had begun in 2009, however was stopped attributable to paucity of funds.

Belapur Fort

The Belapur Fort was constructed by the Siddis of Janjira in 1560-1570 after they wrested management of the realm from the Portuguese. Positioned atop a hillock close to the mouth of the Panvel Creek, it was recaptured by the Portuguese in 1682, after they annexed the close by areas managed by the Siddis. In 1737, it got here beneath the management of the Marathas, led by Chimaji Appa, who vowed that in the event that they’d efficiently seize the fort from the Portuguese, he would place a garland of beli leaves within the close by Amruthaishwar temple. Publish the Marathas’ victory, it was renamed Belapur Fort. In June 1817, the British East India Firm military captured and partially destroyed it beneath the coverage of razing any Maratha stronghold within the area.

A tunnel can also be mentioned to exist within the fort, which a number of locals consider connects the fort to Gharapuri Island, the place Elephanta Caves are situated.

Sadly, not a lot has been performed for the restoration of this as soon as strategic fort. It’s an unprotected monument, at current with C.I.D.C.O.

Arnala Fort

Strategically situated on the mouth of the Vaitarna river, the Arnala Fort was inbuilt 1516 by an area chieftain of Gujarat, Sultan Mahmud Begda. It’s the specimen of the Maratha and regional defence structure. Within the 1530s, the Portuguese established their operations within the coastal space, with their headquarters on the Bassein Fort and shortly gained management of the island.

Through the late seventeenth and early 18th centuries, the Maratha Confederacy got here to dominate the area. After capturing the Bassein Fort from the Portuguese, whom he attacked on the behest of his elder brother, Peshwa Bajirao I, Chimaji Appa set his sights on Fort Arnala, as it might strategically assist the Maratha navy in attacking Portuguese pursuits.

A plaque, put in by the Marathas on the northern wall of the fort, to commemorate their victory, in March 1737, continues to be seen at this time. This fort is rectangular in form and has many temples akin to Tryambakeshwar, Bhavani Mata, Kalika Mata, and likewise of Mahadev. The doorway of the fort is fantastically adorned with footage of elephants and tigers.

It’s a Nationally Protected Monument beneath Archaeological Survey of India.

Ghodbunder Fort

Positioned within the Ghodbunder village, on the hilltop by the Ulhas River, in Mira Highway, this fort, was initially named Cache de Tanna by the Portuguese, who constructed it in 1550, in European architectural kind, from stone blocks. Of the 2 church buildings constructed then, one is in good situation even at this time.

The place additionally got here to be referred to as Ghodbunder because the Portuguese used to commerce horses right here with the Arabs. This fort got here beneath the Maratha Empire solely after Chimaji Appa defeated the Portugal forces. In 1818, the British East India Firm took over the fort from the Marathas and made it its native administrative workplace. It has an ideal rampart with many bastions alongside its partitions and likewise watch towers on the highest.

Not too long ago, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Ratnagiri and Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Mumbai have determined to start out restoration work of the fort.

Riwa Fort

Domestically referred to as the Kala Qilla or Black Fort, the Riwa Fort is situated in Dharavi, on the banks of the Mithi River. Probably the most vital a part of this Into-British structure is that its essential ramparts are constructed with laterite stones present in black colors. A part of the bigger Bombay Citadel, this fort additionally marked the northern portion of the British-held Bombay within the seventeenth century. The then Governor John Horne commissioned the development of the Riwa fort, within the form of a boomerang, to guard Bombay from the aggressive sea-faring Maratha chief Kanhoji Angre.

Curiously, the Riwa Fort additionally has an underground tunnel, which was constructed for an unobstructed movement of the Mithi River in these occasions. It’s a State Protected Fort beneath Directorate of Archaeology and Museums (Authorities of Maharashtra).

Sewri Fort

Constructed on the island of Parel in 1680, The Sewri Fort was one of many fortifications constructed by the British to push back enemy assaults on their territory.

In 1689, the Siddi Normal Yadi Sakat invaded Bombay with a military of 20000 males and first captured the Sewri Fort. The Fort in 1772 additionally witnessed one other battle that repelled a Portuguese assault. Publish the decline of the regional powers, it was used to accommodate prisoners.

At the moment owned by the State’s Division of Archaeology and Museums, Maharashtra Govt., and labeled as a Grade I heritage construction, efforts are underway beneath Section I of Mumbai Fort Circuit Undertaking to revive it. The strategic location of the Sewri Fort is alleged to advertise ornithology as the realm overlooks the mudflats which are frequented by migratory birds, notably the lesser flamingos.

Talking about these forts, Dr. Mayur Thakare, Assistant Archaeologist, Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Govt. of Maharashtra, mentioned, “These forts usually are not simply the useless monuments of the bygone period, however are the residing hyperlinks which connects the current grand Mumbai Metropolitan Area to its humble origin up to now. They stood rock strong to guard Mumbai or Bombay of their prime days and are ageing gracefully now. They’re distinctive testomony to our multicultural society and Historical past.”

He added, “These forts have vast scope of analysis, conservation and restoration actions. They should be thematically and thoroughly conserved not simply to guard their existence however to showcase their structural and web site improvement over time and centuries. They’re as vigorous as we’re. Solely we have to tune with them respectfully on this period of urbanism and never thrust our quick sighted city necessities over them. We should guarantee to move this heritage to our future generations.”

Mumbai has a various tradition and a protracted and wealthy historical past. Although among the forts within the metropolis are in dilapidated situation, they’re thought of to be magnificent works of structure and narrate the fantastic previous of Mumbai.