Castella de Aguada

Historic fort in India

This article is about the fort in Bandra, Mumbai. For the fort in Goa, see Fort Aguada.

Castella de Aguada

Bandra Fort

Location within Mumbai

General information
Type| Fort
Location| Bandra, Mumbai
Coordinates| 19°02′30″N 72°49′07″E﻿ / ﻿19.041770°N 72.818580°E﻿ / 19.041770; 72.818580
Elevation| 13 m (43 ft)
Completed| 1640
Client| Portuguese
Owner| Government of Maharashtra

Castella de Aguada (corruption of Castelo da Aguada, Portuguese for "Fort of the Waterpoint"), also known as the Bandra Fort, is a fort located in Bandra, Mumbai. "Castella" is a misspelling for Portuguese "Castelo" (castle), although it seems its Portuguese builders actually called it Forte de Bandorá (or Bandra Fort). It is located at Land's End in Bandra. It was built by the Portuguese in 1640 as a watchtower overlooking Mahim Bay, the Arabian Sea and the southern island of Mahim.[1] The strategic value of the fort was enhanced in 1661 after the Portuguese ceded the seven islands of Bombay that lay to the immediate south of Bandra to the English.[2] The name indicates its origin as a place where fresh water was available in the form of a fountain ("Aguada") for Portuguese ships cruising the coasts in the initial period of Portuguese presence. The fort lies over several levels, from sea level to an altitude of 24 metres (79 ft).[1] Castella de Aguada has been featured in several Hindi films, such as Dil Chahta Hai and Buddha Mil Gaya.[3]

## History

[edit]

The Portuguese, who had established a base in the area in 1534 after defeating Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, built several sea forts along the western Indian coastline. Castella de Aguada was one such strategically located fort, overlooking the Mahim Bay to the south, the Arabian Sea to the west, the islands of Worli to the south and the town of Mahim to the south west. The fort also guarded the northern sea route into Mumbai Harbour. This sea route, a large estuary, was later reclaimed from the sea in the nineteenth century. During the Portuguese rule, it was armed with seven cannons and other smaller guns as defence.[4] A freshwater spring in the vicinity supplied potable water to passing ships, thus lending the fort its name.[1]

After the decline of the Portuguese in the early 18th century, the Marathas became the largest threat to British possessions. Sensing an impending Portuguese defeat, the British partially demolished the fort as a precautionary measure. The demolition would obviate the possibility of the fort being captured by the Marathas, with the possibility of it being used as a forward military base to attack British Bombay.[5]

In 1739 the island was invaded by the Marathas; it was ruled by them until 1774 when the British gained possession of the area during the First Anglo-Maratha War. In 1830, the British donated large parts of Salsette Island, including Land's End (Click to view the Photosphere), to Byramjee Jeejeebhoy, a Parsi philanthropist. Jeejeeboy then established his residence on the hill where the fort is located, and the cape was renamed Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Point.[6]

## Conservation

[edit]

In 2003, a conservation program was started by Bandra Band Stand Residents’ Trust to save the fort. It was spearheaded by a local Member of Parliament (MP), Shabana Azmi, who funded part of the effort from her allotted funds. The brick arch of one of the gateways on the verge of collapse, and the foundation masonry of the fort wall that was in danger of tidal erosion were repaired. The nearby Taj Land's End hotel is responsible for maintenance of the fort, having inherited it from the previous owners.[1]

Entrance to the Castella de Aguada, or Fort of the Waterpoint

The fort is owned by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Included in the fort makeover are the preservation of the natural rock formations, providing pathways, and the creation of an amphitheatre. The architect for the makeover was P.K. Das, who had earlier redesigned the Carter Road area.[6]

## See also

[edit]

* Mahim Fort
* Worli Fort
* List of forts in Maharashtra

## References

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Castella de Aguada.

1. ^ a b c d Ball, Iain (19 March 2003). "Local 'army' offers to protect Mumbai's 'Castella'". Mumbai Newsline. Express Group. Archived from the original on 24 July 2006. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
2. ^ "Revisiting the forgotten forts – Part I- Castella de Aguada: History of the grand ruins in Bandra most Mumbaikars are oblivious to". The Indian Express. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
3. ^ Lambah, Abha Narain (4 February 2008). "Heritage is also Bollywood's preserve". Mumbai Newsline. Express Group. Retrieved 29 December 2008.[dead link‍]
4. ^ D'Cunha, Jose Gerson (1900). "IV The Portuguese Period". The Origins of Bombay (3 ed.). Bombay: Asian Educational Services. p. 212\. ISBN 81-206-0815-1. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
5. ^ Marpakwar, Prafulla (26 November 2006). "Govt Will Remain Owner Of The State's Heritage Sites But Corporate Caretaker, Too, Stands To Gain From Tie-Up". Times of India. Times Group. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
6. ^ a b "Bandra to get back a chunk of its past glory". Times of India. Times Group. 4 August 2002. Retrieved 16 September 2008.

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India|

* Arnala Fort
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| Goa|

* Aguada Fort
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Sri Lanka|

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* Kalutara fort
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* Sitawaka fort
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Myanmar|

* Santiago

Malaysia|

* Malacca
* Muar Fort

Indonesia|

* Nossa Senhora da Anunciada
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* Pasai Fort
* Reis Magos
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Timor-Leste|

* Balibó Fort
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Macau|

* Dona Maria II
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Portuguese name in italics and geographical location (between parenthesis)

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Forts around Mumbai

* Bassein Fort
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* Dongri Fort
* Fort George
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* Mahim Fort
* Mazagon Fort
* Riwa Fort
* Sewri Fort
* Sion Hillock Fort
* English Fort of Bombay
* Worli Fort

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Forts in Maharashtra

Ahmednagar district|

* Ahmednagar Fort
* Bahadurgad
* Bhairavgad
* Bitangad
* Harishchandragad
* Kaladgad
* Kharda
* Kunjargad
* Madan Fort
* Manjarsumbha fort
* Pabargad
* Patta Fort
* Ratangad

Akola district|

* Akola Fort
* Balapur
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Amravati district|

* Amner Fort
* Gawilghur

Aurangabad district|

* Antur Fort
* Daulatabad Fort

Chandrapur district|

* Chandrapur Fort
* Ballarpur Fort
* Bhadravati Fort
* Manikgad

Dhule district|

* Bhamer
* Laling
* Thalner

Kolhapur district|

* Bhudargad
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* Panhala
* Pargadh
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Latur district|

* Udgir

Mumbai City district|

* Bombay Castle
* Dongri Fort
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* Mahim Fort
* Mazagon Fort
* Riwa Fort
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* Sion Hillock Fort
* Worli Fort

Mumbai Suburban district|

* Castella de Aguada
* Madh

Nagpur district|

* Sitabuldi

Nanded district|

* Kandhar Fort

Nashik district|

* Aavandhagad
* Achala Fort
* Ahivant Fort
* Alang
* Anjaneri
* Ankai Fort
* Bahulagad
* Bhaskargad
* Chandwad
* Chauler Fort
* Dermal
* Dhodap
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* Kanhergad
* Kavnai fort
* Kulang
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* Malegaon
* Mangi-Tungi
* Moragad
* Mulher
* Nhavigad
* Rajdher fort
* Ramsej
* Salher
* Salota
* Saptashrungi
* Tankai fort
* Tringalwadi
* Waghera

Osmanabad district|

* Naldurg Fort
* Paranda Fort

Palghar district|

* Bassein
* Kaldurg
* Tandulwadi

Pune district|

* Anghaai Fort
* Bhorgiri Fort
* Chawand
* Dhakoba
* Ghangad
* Hadsar Fort
* Induri Fort
* Jivdhan
* Kailasgad
* Kawla
* Korigad/Koraigad
* Lohagad
* Malhargad
* Manaranjan
* Mangalgad
* Morgiri Fort
* Narayangad
* Nimgiri
* Purandar
* Rajgad
* Rajmachi
* Rayri Fort
* Rohida
* Sangram Durg
* Sindola Fort
* Shaniwar Wada
* Shivneri
* Shrivardhan
* Sinhagad
* Tikona
* Torna
* Tung
* Vajragad Fort
* Visapur

Raigad district|

* Agarkot
* Avchitgad
* Bhimashankar Fort
* Birwadi
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* Ghangad
* Ghosalgad
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* Karnala
* Khaderi
* Khanderi
* Kondhawi Fort
* Korlai
* Kothaligad Peb fort
* Kulaba
* Kurdugad
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* Malanggad
* Mangalgad (Kangori)
* Manikgad
* Mirgad
* Mrugagad
* Murud-Janjira
* Padargad
* Padmadurg/ Kasa Fort
* Prabalgad
* Raigad
* Ratnagad
* Revdanda
* Sagargad
* Samrajgad
* Sankshi Fort
* Sarasgad
* Sarjekot
* Songad
* Songiri Fort
* Sudhagad
* Surgad
* Talagad
* Underi
* Vikatgad Peb fort

Ratnagiri district|

* Aambolgad
* Anjanwel
* Bankot
* Gowalkot
* Jaigad
* Kanakdurg
* Mahipatgad
* Mandangad
* Prachitgad
* Prunagad
* Rasalgad
* Ratnagiri (Ratnadurg)
* Sumargad
* Suvarnadurg
* Yashwantgad

Satara district|

* Ajinkyatara
* Bhairavgad
* Bhushangad
* Chandan-Vandan
* Dategad
* Gunavantgad
* Jangali Jayagad
* Kalyangad
* Kamalgad
* Kenjalgad
* Mahimangad
* Pandavgad
* Prachitgad
* Pratapgad
* Sajjangad
* Santoshgad
* Vairatgad
* Vardhangad
* Varugad
* Vasantgad
* Vasota

Sindhudurg district|

* Aasavgad
* Bharatgad
* Rajkot Fort
* Sanrjekot
* Sindhudurg
* Vijaydurg

Thane district|

* Aasawa
* Arnala
* Asherigad
* Ballalgad
* Balwantgad
* Belapur Fort
* Bhairavgad
* Bhandargad
* Bhavanigad
* Bhupatgad
* Chanderigad
* Dahanugad
* Daulatmandal
* Dharavi
* Durgadi Fort
* Gambhirgad
* Ghodbunder Fort
* Gorakhgad
* Gotara
* Jivdhaanigad
* Kamandurg
* Kelwegad
* Kohojgad
* Mahuli
* Malang gad
* Palasgad
* Tahuli
* Shirgav Fort

Jalna district|

* Jalna Fort(Mastgarh)
* Rohilagarh
* Jafrabad Qila

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Forts in India

Ahom dynasty|

* Talatal Ghar
* Kareng Ghar
* Rang Ghar
* Garchuk Lachit Garh

Bahmani Sultanate|

* Bidar
* Gulbarga

British Raj|

* Anchuthengu
* St. George
* William
* Bombay
* Riwa
* Worli
* Mazagon
* Sion Hillock
* Sewri
* Mahim
* Tellicherry
* St. David

Deccan sultanates|

* Ahmednagar
* Daulatabad
* Gawilghur
* Golconda
* Jalna Fort(Mastgarh)
* Narnala
* Panhala

Delhi Sultanate|

* Aligarh
* Bandhavgarh
* Hathras
* Qila Mubarak
* Siri
* Tughlaqabad
* Salimgarh

Eastern Ganga dynasty|

* Barabati
* Raibania

Faruqi dynasty|

* Asirgarh
* Laling
* Thalner

Gujarat Sultanate|

* Bhadra

Jat|

* Bawana Fort
* Gohad
* Lohagarh
* Nahar Singh Mahal

Kakatiya dynasty|

* Warangal

Kingdom of Mysore|

* Devanahalli
* Palakkad
* Bekal
* Sankagiri

Malwa Sultanate|

* Mandsaur
* Mandavgadh

Maratha Empire|

* Dongri
* Harishchandragad
* Kolaba
* Lohagad
* Sudhagad
* Sinhagad
* Tikona
* Panhala
* Pratapgad
* Vishalgad
* Rajgad
* Sindhudurg
* Vijaydurg
* Shivneri
* Raigad
* Gajendragarh
* Gingee
* Shaniwar Wada
* Jhansi
* Hinglajgarh
* Manora
* Visapur
* Sadashivgad

Mughal Empire|

* Purana Qila
* Chanderi
* Agra
* Allahabad
* Fatehpur Sikri
* Red
* Akola
* Hari Parbat Fort
* Ramnagar

Nayak dynasty|

* Chitradurga
* Bekal
* Dindigul
* Gingee
* Tiruchirapalli Rock
* Chandragiri Fort
* Hosdurg

Portuguese|

* Bassein Fort
* Bombay Castle
* Mahim
* Arnala
* Castella de Aguada
* Diu Fort
* Surat Castle
* Fortim do Mar, Diu
* Fortim do Mar, Simbor
* Emmanuel
* Fort Anjediva
* Korlai
* Madh Fort
* St Thomas, Tangasseri
* St. Angelo
* Pallipuram
* Aguada
* Fort Tiracol
* Anjediva
* Cranganore
* Ghodbunder
* Fortaleza de Chaul
* Ponda Fort
* Chapora Fort
* Fortaleza de São Sebastião de Tivim
* Cabo de Rama
* Corjuem Fort
* Mormugão fort
* Rachol Fort
* Fort of São Tiago of Banastarim

Rajputs|

* Achalgarh
* Amber
* Bhangarh
* Chittor
* Jaigarh
* Jaisalmer
* Jalore
* Junagarh
* Kankwadi
* Kumbhalgarh
* Nahargarh
* Qila Rai Pithora
* Taragarh
* Lal Kot
* Gwalior
* Kalinjar
* Hinglajgarh
* Mehrangarh
* Narwar
* Senapati fortress
* Sabalgarh
* Bahu
* Kangra
* Ranthambore
* Bhatner fort

Sikh Empire|

* Kamlah

Siddi|

* Murud-Janjira
* Belapur
* Underi

Sur Empire|

* Chunar
* Rohtasgarh
* Munger

Travancore|

* Vattakottai
* Udayagiri
* East

Vijayanagara|

* Chandragiri
* Gingee
* Bangalore
* Udayagiri
* Vellore

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