Castella de Aguada

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

Castella de Aguada
Bandra Fort
Location within Mumbai
General information
Type	Fort
Location	Bandra,Mumbai
Coordinates	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 ofCastelo da Aguada,Portuguesefor "Fort of the Waterpoint" ), also known as theBandra Fort,is a fort located inBandra,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 atLand's EndinBandra.It was built by the Portuguese in 1640 as a watchtower overlookingMahim Bay,theArabian Seaand the southern island ofMahim.The strategic value of the fort was enhanced in 1661 after the Portuguese ceded theseven islands of Bombaythat lay to the immediate south of Bandra to theEnglish.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).Castella de Aguada has been featured in several Hindi films, such asDil Chahta HaiandBuddha Mil Gaya.

History

The Portuguese, who had established a base in the area in 1534 after defeatingBahadur 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 intoMumbai 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.A freshwater spring in the vicinity supplied potable water to passing ships, thus lending the fort its name.

After the decline of the Portuguese in the early 18th century, the Marathas became the largest threat toBritish 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.

In 1739 the island was invaded by theMarathas;it was ruled by them until 1774 when the British gained possession of the area during theFirst Anglo-Maratha War.In 1830, the British donated large parts ofSalsette Island,includingLand's End(Click to view the Photosphere), toByramjee Jeejeebhoy,aParsiphilanthropist. Jeejeeboy then established his residence on the hill where the fort is located, and the cape was renamed Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Point.

Conservation

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.

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

The fort is owned by theArchaeological 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 theCarter Roadarea.

See also

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