Worli Fort

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Worli Fort
Worli koliwada, Mumbai, India
Worli Fort Mumbai.jpg
View of Worli Fort from the base of the hillock
Site information
Type Hill Fort
Land battery
Owner Flag of India.svg Government of India
Controlled by British Raj Red Ensign.svg British Raj (1675-1947)
Open to
the public		Yes
Location
Worli Fort
Coordinates 19°01′26″N72°49′00″E / 19.0238°N 72.8166°E / 19.0238; 72.8166
Site history
Built1675;351 years ago (1675)
Materials Basalt and Lime mortar
Old map of the region (post 1805). Bombay map 18c.jpg
Old map of the region (post 1805).

The Worli Fort is a fort in Worli, Mumbai, India. [1] Though often incorrectly assumed to have been built by the Portuguese, the fort was built by the British around 1675 on Worli Hill.[ citation needed ] Worli Fort overlooked Mahim Bay at a time when the city comprised just seven islands and was used as a lookout for enemy ships.

Contents

The centuries-old village is home to one of the oldest communities of fisherfolk which is still existing in Mumbai. [2]

The area around Worli Hill is also known for its fossils and geology. [3]

History

Worli Fort traces its origins back to the 17th century when it was constructed by the British a strategic outpost to protect their territories along the western coast of India. The fort served as a defensive structure guarding the southern approach to the island of Bombay (now Mumbai) and the entrance to the Mahim Bay. [4] [5]

In 1661, control of Bombay was transferred from the Portuguese to the British as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza upon her marriage to Charles II of England. Subsequently, Worli Fort came under British rule, and it underwent several modifications and reinforcements over the years to strengthen its defenses. [6]

Architecture and design

Worli Fort is built using locally available basalt rock, characteristic of many forts in the region. The fortification consists of ramparts, bastions, and gateways, typical of Portuguese military architecture of the time. The fort originally housed barracks, ammunition storage facilities, and living quarters for the garrison.


Significance

Worli Fort played a role in Mumbai's maritime history, serving as a sentinel against potential invasions and attacks from the sea. It was one of several coastal forts that formed a defensive network around the island of Bombay, safeguarding its trading interests and maritime routes. [7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Murray, John (1859). A handbook for India. Part ii. Bombay. Original from Oxford University. p. 272.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ↑ Nambiar, Sridevi (5 December 2016). "A Brief History Of Mumbai's Worli Fort". Culture Trip. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  3. ↑ Singh, S.D. (2000). "Petrography and Clay Mineralogy of Intertrappean Beds of Mumbai, India". Journal Geological Society of India. 55.
  4. ↑ Maharashtra State Gazetteers: Greater Bombay District - 1987
  5. ↑ Greater Bombay District Gazetteer - 1986
  6. ↑ "Worli Fort: A Glimpse into Mumbai's Rich History" - Mumbai Mirror, 2019
  7. ↑ "Worli Fort - A Historical Gem of Mumbai" - Indian Express, 2020
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