Kalyan was an important port in ancient times. Ships sailed through the Arabian Sea via Ulhaskhadi. Ghodbunder and Naglabunder were the ancient ports on this waterway. Four forts- Ghodbunder, Naglabunder, Gomukh, and Ovale Kot were built to protect these ports and waterways. In the book "Durgasampada Thanyachi" by Mr. Sadashiv Tetwilkar, Gaimukh fort is mentioned as "Gaimukh Gadhi". This fort is one of the 12 forts near Thane. Ulhaskhadi takes a steep turn at a distance of 4 km from Nagla Bunder Fort. This is the place where a trunk of Sahyadri descends near the creek. Gaimukh fort which is more like a fortress was standing on this trunk. This place can be reached by descending Gaimukh village on Thane-Borivali road. The people of the village do not know the location of this fort, which is situated on the creek near Gaimukh village, so we have to go on a search. ... In many places, the Gaimukh fort is said to have been destroyed, but one of the remnants of the Gaimukh fort that still stands today is the three walls of a building inside the fort. As the fort is being used as a garbage bin and a toilet, the inner part of the fort stinks and litter can be seen around. Trees are growing on the fort walls and the roots of which are seeping deep into the walls of the fort. Stone, lime, and clay are used in the construction of this fort. The fact that the building was two-storied can be seen from the holes carved in the upper part to lay the base of the second floor. Considering the available remains, this fort should only be an office for tax collection or a watchtower. Its appearance has changed as the protective walls around it have collapsed. The fort is small in size and can be seen in ten minutes. Much of the fort was destroyed during the widening of Ghodbunder road. Although the fort does not exist today, its exact geographical location and strategic location on Ulhas Bay can be seen. Using small forts, watchtowers, and long-range cannons, the Portuguese established their empire on the sea lanes of the North Konkan. Originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the main purpose of these watchtowers was to protect the waterways and to provide necessary supplies to the small and large forts in the province. In 1737, in the first half of the Vasai campaign, Gaimukh fort and its surroundings came under the control of the Marathas, and the Portuguese were wiped out from this area. People coming here with an expectation to see a fort are likely to be upset, but if you want to see the Portuguese outpost on the maritime trade route and its geographical importance, you can visit this place.
© Suresh Nimbalkar