8 Most Famous Forts In Mumbai

The forts and palaces have a magnificent charm of their own. They are a great draw for visitors from all over the world thanks to their great stature and visual appeal. Forts themselves have immense historical importance about them and are also sources of chivalry and courage or legends and old tales.

Posted On October 22nd, 2020

Sion Fort

In reality, Sion Hillock Fort is the remains of a fort atop a conical hillock at the foot of Jawaharlal Nehru Udyan (park). It is located right in the centre of the famous Sion district of the city of Mumbai. While only broken walls remain of the fort today, the fort for the British East India Company was once strategically placed. It was constructed between 1669 and 1677 under the regime of the then Governor of Bombay, Gerard Aungier.

Belapur Fort

In Navi Mumbai (New Bombay), Maharashtra, India, Belapur Fort is a fort near the township of Belapur. The Siddis of Janjira founded the fort. Later, the Portuguese, and then the Marathas, captured Belapur Fort. In the early 19th century, the fort was taken by the British. The strategic importance of the fort diminished after the British achieved dominance in the area, with the extension of the Bombay Presidency, and the fort fell into disuse.

Bandra Fort

In early 1640 AD, the Portuguese built the Bandra Fort to act as a watchtower overlooking Mahim Bay to the south, the Arab Sea to the west, the islands of Worli to the south, and the city of Mahim to the southwest. A northern sea route into Mumbai Harbour was also secured by the fort. It was armed with seven cannons and other smaller weapons as protection under Portuguese rule. In the vicinity, a freshwater spring provided drinking water to passing ships, giving the fort its name, Castella de Aguada.

Worli Fort

The Worli Fort is a historic but neglected tourist attraction in Mumbai, standing tall in the centre of the Worli fishing village. The British constructed it on a hilltop as a viewpoint to keep an eye on the movements of the sea and a watch for enemy ships.

Cross Island Fort

Cross Island is situated on the Mumbai Harbor in India and is colloquially known as Chinal Tekdi. Cross Island, sandwiched between Dockyard Road and Elephanta Island, has enormous charm and a small population. An oil refinery, several large gas holders and beautiful remnants of a destroyed fort can be found among the few buildings located on the island.

Dongri Fort

After Vasai Fort, Dongri Fort, also known as Dharavi Fort, was built when the Portuguese realised the place's significance. Soldiers were originally forced to stay in a small temporary station. Forts were later established by the Portuguese when they gained Northern Konkan. Chimaji Rao Appa is believed to have come to Vasai and may have captured this fort.

Mahim Fort

The fort sits off the Mahim Causeway, which connects the town to the suburbs. The fort is heavily invaded by slums, and due to coastal flooding and neglect, portions of the fort have caved in. While the site is listed as a building of Grade I heritage, nothing else has been done to preserve it.

Mazagaon Fort

The Mazagaon Fort was a British fort founded about 1680 in Mazagaon, Bombay (currently Mumbai), in the Indian state of Maharashtra. In June 1690, the Siddi general, Yakut Khan, razed the castle. The fort was located outside the Dockyard Road railway station at the present-day Joseph Baptista Gardens, atop Bhandarwada Hill.