You might get surprised listening that there are forts in Mumbai, also once upon a time there were eleven forts in a city like Mumbai during the British rule. It was built during different periods between Portuguese and British. Worli, Mahim, Bandra, and Madh forts were built on the west coast of Mumbai, and a chain of forts like Kala Killa, Riva fort, and Sion fort were built on the south coast. To the east, Shivdi, Mazgaon, Dongri, and Bombay Fort were defending Mumbai. Of these, Mazgaon and Dongri forts have been destroyed and only a remnant of Bombay Fort can be seen. The remaining eight forts, however, can still be seen today. Bandra Fort is one of them. Get off at Bandra station of Western Railway and go to Bandra Band Stand by bus or rickshaw from the west. ... The historic fort of Bandra stands next to the Taj Land end Hotel. The Archaeological Department of Bandra Fort and the local Bandra Land and Garden Society has renovated the fort and made a sincere effort to preserve the look of the fort. Therefore, the fort can be seen as a relic. Before entering the fort, a sign giving information about the fort has been carved in stone and recently installed there. A Roman Portuguese inscription is inscribed on the entrance of the fort and it is recorded that the fort was built in the year 1640. When you enter the fort, you can see the ramparts and bastions on the right side and another entrance on the left-hand side. Steps are leading to the fort from this entrance. The influence of Portuguese architecture is evident in the construction of the entire fort. A garden has been set up in the fort by Bandra Land and Garden Society. There are no other ruins left in the fort. The fort is under private control. It is almost impossible for ordinary tourists to walk around the fort as couples are sitting there in an unwanted position. Bandra is the southern tip of the Portuguese-held island of Sashti. There were sixty-six villages on this island. Mahim Bay separated the Mumbai Islands from the mainland. This area is very important in history due to the trade going through Mahim Bay. The trade rivalry between the Portuguese and the British dates back to the Battle of Surat in 1612. Therefore, in 1640, he built a fort at Bandra on the island's seafloor for surveillance and to protect the Portuguese-held Sashti from a major sea attack. It was later used to fortify the British-occupied Mumbai Islands. During the Maratha invasion of Vasai in 1737, many armored battles took place around this fort. It is recorded that Khandoji Mankar, the chief of Chimaji Appa, attacked this fort in 1737. The Marathas could not conquer the forts of Bandra and Vesave even after winning the entire Sashti this year. Seeing the strength of the Marathas in the invasion of 1739, the British advised the Portuguese to demolish the fort and in March 1739, the fort was demolished by the Portuguese.
© Suresh Nimbalkar