Dil Chahta Hai !!! this Hindi film has made Chapora fort popular in Goa. Once, this fort was only known by the fort lovers, but now the fort is bustling with tourists due to the shooting of this film. The fort was built to monitor the trade through Wagator Bay in North Goa. The fort stands on a hill surrounded by sea on three sides and Chapora creek on a side next to Anjuna village. Vagator beach is at a distance of about 10 km from Mhapsa city. There is a paved road to the base of the fort hill. After reaching Chapora fort by road, in 10 minutes climb, we enter the fort through the southeast entrance of the fort. The hill of the fort is 225 feet above the sea level and the area of the fort is spread over 9 acres. The entire fort has a total of seven bastions, out of which three are circular and the other four are Portuguese-style arches. ... The fort has a total of four small gates, of which only two are in use today. On the fort you can see some quadrangle structures. one of these structures is said to have once been replaced by St. Anthony's Church. In the construction of the fort, a capsule-shaped outpost for the soldiers can be seen on the fort, which is a special feature of the Portuguese construction. Although the interior of the fort is now completely demolished, the entrance of the basement built by Portuguese to get out of the fort during the Emergency can be seen outside the ramparts. One hour is enough to see the whole fort. This area was ruled by Ali Adilshah of Bijapur before the Portuguese settled in Goa. It is believed that the original Chapora fort was built by his officials in the 16th century. The original name of this part of Shahpur was changed to Chapora by the Portuguese. On December 13, 1571, according to the treaty between Adilshah and the Portuguese, this part fell under the control of the Portuguese. During 1684, when Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was on an expedition to Goa, the fort came under the control of the Marathas. But after some time, in 1717, the Portuguese attacked the fort and recaptured it. This time Portuguese rebuilt the fort. Later documents show that this fort was in the possession of Sawantwadi Sansthan between 1739 and 1741. The fort was then under Portuguese control until Goa became independent. The Portuguese ruled the fort for more than 250 years. Today, though the fort has lost its former splendor. This fort which was in the possession of Marathas for a short duration must be visited at least once.
© Suresh Nimbalkar