A Slice of History: Explore these Six Historic Forts in Mumbai!

‘Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan’, a song composed by Geeta Dutt and R.D Burman that stars Devanand, is a statement all Mumbaikars will agree on. Mumbai is more than a city; it is an emotion. This ‘City of Dreams’, as we call it, has people from all over the world visiting to see its iconic tourist attractions. May it be to see the architectural beauty - 'Gateway of India', the marvellous 'Taj Mahal Palace Hotel', a tense game of cricket at 'Shivaji Park' or enjoy a peaceful sunset at 'Juhu Chowpatty', Mumbai has a lot to offer. But, a tale of Mumbai’s glorious history is unheard of and often neglected - the Forts in Mumbai. This city was a hub for the Britishers, Marathas and even the Portuguese. It was ruled by many empires. That’s when many of these forts were built. These forts are history, and it is the responsibility of Mumbaikars to create awareness and preserve the rich heritage of our city. In this article, we dive deep into the past and uncover the history of these iconic forts in Mumbai, still standing tall and surviving against all odds.

Bandra Fort

Amongst the buzzing lanes of Bandra lies a quiet and peaceful spot, perfect to unwind from the chaos of the city. Located on the shore of the Arabian Sea with a scenic view of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is - Bandra Fort. Graced by people of all ages, Bandra Fort was a part of Mumbai when the city was scattered into seven islands. This fort has stood strong over the years and has seen the evolution of the city. Despite being a popular tourist spot for most Mumbaikars, many people are still unaware of the history the fort holds. It dates back to the Portuguese, Maratha and the British Era. 

Bandra Fort, originally named ‘Castella de Aguada’, was built in 1640 by the Portuguese. It was built as a watchtower to keep an eye on the territory and defend the Bombay harbour, which was then called 'Mahim Bay'. The Britishers destroyed the fort in the early 18th century to prevent the Maratha empire from invading their territory. The Marathas captured the fort in 1739 CE. They later lost the fort to Britshers in the first Anglo-Maratha War in 1774 CE. Since then, the fort has been neglected and is in a dilapidated state. Years later, in 2003, the Bandra Bandstand Residents Trust took up a challenge to preserve and rebuild the ruins of the fort. Even then, not much attention was paid to this issue. The fort went under a major restoration project for two years, from 2022 to 2024. The fort was open to the public in late 2024. It is one of the most loved spots in the city to watch a mesmerising sundowner while appreciating the iconic view of Bandra-Worli Sea Link!

Mahim Fort

Mahim is part of the seven islands that formerly made Mumbai. These islands were the Isle of Bombay, Parel, Mazagaon, Mahim, Colaba, Worli, and Old Woman's Island (also known as Little Colaba). Mahim, also known as 'Mahikawati', was an island ruled by Raja Bhimdev in the 13th century. It is said he built the first palace and the court of justice in Prabhadevi and the first Babulnath temple. During his reign, he got various other communities in Mumbai like the Pathare Prabhu (also known as one of the first settlers of Bombay), Vadvals, Bhois, Palshis, Bhandaris, Agris, Pachkalshis and the Brahmins. Around the 13th century, the Mohommedans of Gujarat ruled the island. During their reign, the Mahim Dargah (Mahim mosque) was built. Later, during the 1500s, the Portuguese invaded the Island of Bombay. After spending almost 128 years under the Portuguese siege, the island was captured by the British.

These islands were given to the English King, Charles II, as a wedding dowry for the Portuguese Princess, Catherine of Braganza. The British built the Mahim Fort to keep an eye on the enemy. Despite playing a pivotal role in shaping Mumbai's history, the fort has been nearly destroyed due to wear and tear and vandalism.

Sion Fort

Another important structure and one of the oldest forts in Mumbai is the 'Sion fort'. In addition to the Worli fort, the East India Company also built this fort between 1669 and 1677, when Gerard Aungier was the Governor of Bombay. In 1925, this fort was declared as a Grade II Heritage Site in Mumbai. This fort has stood strong and witnessed the changes in Mumbai over the years. The fort originally was the demarcation between the British-held Parel Island and the Portuguese-held Salsette Island. It has watchtowers, ramparts and bastions that were constructed using locally sourced stone and lime mortar. The fort has a main gate and a series of small gates for quick and easy access. It was an important site for the British, as this fort was home to the British troops during the Anglo-Maratha wars. The fort also overlooked the saltpans of Thane Creek. Other than that, it is a testament to the colonial rule. People often visit this fort to soak in the views of the scenic skyline of Mumbai. It plays a crucial role in the city's rich heritage and history. 

Sewri Fort

Sewri Fort, also called ‘Sewree Fort’, is another historically rich monument in Mumbai. The fort was constructed by the British East India Company in 1680. Till 1661, these islands were ceded by the Portuguese as a dowry to the King of England, Prince Charles II and Princess Catherine Braganza. The British and the East India Company were constantly invaded, and wars were declared; that’s when they began the fortification of the city harbour and built the Sewri Fort. It was built on the Island of Parel to overlook the harbour and protect the British territory. The fort is built of thick basalt rock found all across Maharashtra, with bastions and underground tunnels to easily access any part of the fort. One can also spot the Sewri mudflats from the fort, which are within walking distance. Sewri mudflats is a spot loved by all nature lovers and bird watchers as it hosts many migratory birds. The fort played an important role in surveying and protecting the British territory. 

Worli Fort

Other than a posh area in the South of Bombay and home to various celebrities like Madhuri Dixit, Anushka Sharma - Virat Kohli, Shahid Kapoor and many more, Worli has a lot to offer. As seen on the map, 'Worlee' or 'Worli', where people come for late-night walks at the ‘Worli-Sea Face' or to see the beautiful 'Haji Ali Dargah', also has a piece of history. The Worli Fort is one of the oldest forts in Mumbai, dating back to the British colonial era. It was built by the East India Company in 1675 to watch over the northern islands of Mumbai and safeguard the Bay of Mahim, as Mumbai was still scattered among seven islands. 

The fort has several watchtowers, and the main gate to the fort is adorned with beautiful ornamental motifs. One can also find broken parts of canons and bastions, which were once used to protect the British from invaders. One can see the influence of Indo-Sarsenic architecture in this heritage structure. Over the centuries, the fort has witnessed numerous historical events, making it a significant landmark in Mumbai’s heritage. After much delay and challenges, his heritage structure was restored by the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) and the State Archaeology Department. 

Vasai Fort

Vasai, which has become more of a greener weekend escape for Mumbaikars and a cheaper place to reside, was once the headquarters of the Portuguese empire. Besides the organic and fresh fruits and vegetables supply, Vasai is home to a few of the most historically iconic spots. One of them is the Vasai Fort. This fort was also called ‘Bassein or Bacaim’ by the Portuguese. While now the fort is in ruins, it has a rich history. The backwaters on all three sides surrounded it. Since then, Vasai has evolved there have been many changes, but one could see the Godhbunder Fort of Thane from the Vasai fort walls. The fort had two gates and a small citadel. It had water tanks, storehouses and an armoury. There were also grains and vegetable farms in the vicinity. There is a temple built by Chimaji Appa, a Peshwa commander and statesman. This temple has a very interesting history. The temple houses Lord Hanuman, but he’s shown with a moustache. This is a rare sighting but was a Peshwa empire speciality.

Originally constructed by Malik Tughan in 1533 AD, the commander of Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat. The Portuguese 1553 invaded the fort and asked Bahadur Shah to hand over their reign. The Portuguese continued to develop Vasai. Even now, if someone were to explore the interior parts of Vasai, they’d see an influence of the Portuguese lifestyle, a blend of Indo-Portuguese architecture, a few old buildings built by the Portuguese and much more.

The Portuguese rulers built various churches, schools, orphanages and convents as well. The fort was considered a status symbol as only nobles were permitted to reside within the fort walls. The fort was also a naval base and an important location to keep an eye on the enemy. By the 1800s, the British gained control of the fort. It is our responsibility as citizens to preserve and conserve the local heritage. Vasai Fort, which was once a symbol of vigour and opulence, is now in a state of ruins and a hotspot for couples!

It is imperative to protect and conserve these historical sites, as they represent the past and our rich cultural heritage.