Bandra Fort Mumbai Maharashtra History and Interesting Facts

Bandra Fort Quick Facts

Bandra Fort Overview

Castella de Aguada, also known as Bandra Fort, is located in the Bandra region of the city of Mumbai in the state of Maharashtra. This fort was built by the Portuguese in 1640 AD. The purpose of which is to look after Mahim Bay, which is part of the South Island of Mumbai city of India and located in the Arabian Sea. This fort was visited by Portuguese ships during the reign of the Portuguese. This place addresses a beautiful view of the Arabian Sea for tourists.

Bandra Fort History

The Portuguese established their authority in the Bandra region in 1534 and used this fort only strategically to have a view of Worli Island in the south and Mahim Bay in the southwest. During the Portuguese rule, this fort was called the fort of Water Point.

By the beginning of the 18th century, the Portuguese rule had come to an end. After this, the British government took possession of this fort. But the Maratha Empire had become the biggest threat to British property, so the British destroyed part of it. There by reducing the possibility of capture of this property by the Marathas.

In 1739 AD, Maratha soldiers attacked this fort and established their authority over it and they ruled the Bandra Fort till 1774 AD. But when the First Anglo-Maratha War happened, the British recaptured this area. Later the British government donated Castella de Aguada along with several other islands to Byramji Jejibhoy a Parsi merchant who renamed it Byrji Jeejeebhoy Point.

Bandra Fort Interesting Facts

1. Castella de Aguada is located at an altitude of 24 meters (79 ft) above sea level.
2. Castella de Aguada has been featured in several Hindi films, including Dil Chahta Hai and Budha Mil Gaya.
3. A conservation program was started by the Bandra Band Stand Residents Trust to save this fort in 2003 and the program was initiated by Shabana Azmi, a Member of Parliament.
4. Castella de Aguada is owned by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Including survey and construction of things like conservation of natural rock formations of the fort by Archaeological Survey of India, providing paths and construction of modern open-air stadium, etc.
5. Castella de Aguada is a misspelled form of the Portuguese word castello. Its correct name should have been Castello de Aguada, but it was called Forte de Bandora (Bandra Fort) by its builders.

How to reach Bandra Fort

• There is a railway station of the Western Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway to reach Bandra Fort, which is known as Bandra Terminus Railway Station. Apart from this, stations like Bandra Railway Station, Mahim Railway Station, and Bandra Railway Station (e), etc. are near the fort. From there one can reach the fort by auto rickshaw or bus.
• Apart from this, the nearest Airport to visit Castella de Aguada is Mumbai Airport (BOM).