Two forts near Mumbai to get facelift for tourists

MUMBAI - Two coastal forts, including one built by erstwhile Portuguese rulers not far from Mumbai, will be renovated and transformed into major heritage and tourism attractions within the next three years.

Vasai Fort and Arnala Fort are just 10 km apart on the western coast of Thane district, around 25 km north from the heart of Mumbai. Under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), they are already popular destinations which see weekend picnickers from across Maharashtra.

ASI’s Mumbai Circle Superintending Archaeologist M.S. Chauhan told IANS that while work on Vasai Fort has already begun, work on Arnala Fort will start soon after various formalities are completed.

“Initially, we will take up restoration of the dilapidated structures in both forts, which will take up a lot of time. Then, we will follow it up by developing the gardens and other facilities around them,” Chauhan told IANS.

Vasai legislator Vivek Pandit said the people of the area do not merely want repairs of the two forts.

“In fact, we want that the two forts should be made of international standards and we enabled to put Vasai on the world tourist map. It will do a lot of good for the people of these backward and undeveloped areas,” he said.

Both forts are rich in history.

In 1534, Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat, was forced to concede Bassein or Vasai to the Portuguese.

The fort as seen today was constructed by the Portuguese in 1590, and they also built at least seven big and small churches, schools, magnificent colonial houses, an orphanage, drinking water storage tanks and other facilities inside it.

In the 18th century, the fort was attacked by the Marathas under Peshwa Baji Rao and it came under his control in 1817. The Marathas ruled over it for a few decades before the British conquered them and wrested control.

Barely 10 km to the north stands the Arnala Fort on a small island in the Arabian Sea, which will also be restored by the ASI with several amenities and facilities to attract domestic and international tourists.

Beyond the three huge gates of the fort, there are steps to the top of the rampart, enabling people to walk along the entire boundary wall, enjoying the views of the Arabian Sea and the lush greenery of the mainland.

Arnala Fort was built in 1516 by a local chieftain of Gujarat, Sultan Mahmud Begda. The Portuguese, who had already established their local headquarters in nearby Bassein, conquered it in the 1530s.

Around 200 years later, in 1737, Chimaji Appa, the brother of Peshwa Baji Rao I, attacked Bassein Fort and seized it from the Portuguese in the Battle of Bassein.

Chimaji Appa’s general, Shankarji Pant, who eyed the nearby Arnala Fort, attacked it and the Portuguese were vanquished. The Marathas controlled it for 80 years before the British forced them to surrender.

A huge hexagonal fresh water tank stands inside the fort, along with temples of Hindu gods and goddesses and tombs dedicated to Muslim saints.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in)