Ghodbunder Fort
{{Short description|Historic fort in Thane, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox military structure
|name = Ghodbunder Fort
|partof =
|location = Ghodbunder, Thane District, Maharashtra
|image = Ghodbunder Fort courtyard.jpg
|image_size = 300px
|caption = Ghodbunder Fort courtyard
|type = Fortress
|coordinates = {{coord|19.2962|72.8883|dim:200|display=inline,title}}
|built = c.1550-1730
|builder = Portuguese
|image_map = {{location map | Mumbai |alt= On the south shore of a river mouth |lat_deg= 19.2962 |lon_deg= 72.8883 |label= Ghodbunder Fort |label_size= 120 |width= 300 |marksize= 12}}
|materials =
|height =
|used =
|demolished =
|condition =
|ownership = {{flagicon|India}}, Maharashtra
|open_to_public = Yes
|controlledby =
|garrison =
|current_commander =
|commanders =
|occupants =
|battles =
|events =
}}
Ghodbunder Fort is a fort located in Ghodbunder Village, Thane, Maharashtra, India, on the hill just south of the Ulhas River. It was built by the Portuguese and then occupied by the Marathas, before being used as the East India Company's district headquarters. The place was called Ghodbunder because it was where the Portuguese used to trade for ghode (horses) with the Arabs. Hence the name Ghodbunder: ghode (horses) & bunder (port).
History
File:Ghodbunder Fort.jpgIn 1530 the Portuguese arrived in Thane, and began fortifying the hill area as early as 1550. There are many old maps and texts which mention continual attempts by the Marathas to capture the fort, which the Portuguese had named 'Cacabe de Tanna'. The Portuguese were able to successfully defend these attacks for many years,{{cite news |last=Ashar |first=Hemal |date=2007-12-03 |title=Mid-day |url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2007/dec/799975.htm |access-date=2009-03-30}} including an attack in 1672 by the forces of Shivaji Maharaj. The fort as it seen today was completed in 1730 and the church in the fort still stands,{{cite book |last=Karkari |first=R.P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S7NRZidhAnEC&dq=Ghodbunder+fort&pg=PA423 |title=The Charm of Bombay |publisher=READ BOOKS |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-4097-9294-9 |pages=423 |access-date=27 March 2009}} and is now used as a hotel. The fort remained under Portuguese rule until the Marathas, under military commander Chimaji Appa, successfully besieged the fort and took it over from the Portuguese in 1737.{{cite web |title=Incredible India: Places to Visit Maharashtra: Ghodbunder (43 Km.) |url=http://www.incredibleindia.org/newsite/cms_page.asp?pageid=1321 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014060655/http://incredibleindia.org/newsite/cms_page.asp?pageid=1321 |archive-date=14 October 2007}} Following its capture, Shahu I ordered the strengthening of the fortifications, initiating the construction of the tower.{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}
In 1818, the British occupied the fort and made it the headquarters of the district administration for the East Indian Company, with a district collector stationed in Thane.{{cite news|title=History becomes mystery|last=Rao|first=Shilpa|date=17 May 2007|url=http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=xtras&subsection=bombayfirst&xfile=May2007_extraspecial_standard806&child=extraspecial|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070808020334/http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=xtras&subsection=bombayfirst&xfile=May2007_extraspecial_standard806&child=extraspecial|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 August 2007}}
Although the fort currently lies in ruins, the government of India set out plans for its renovation in 2014, including the beautification and landscaping of approximately 4 acres of surrounding land.{{Cite news|author=Mehta, Rajshri|title=Plans afoot to beautify ruined Ghodbunder Fort|date=31 January 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thane/Plans-afoot-to-beautify-ruined-Ghodbunder-Fort/articleshow/29635859.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202082855/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thane/Plans-afoot-to-beautify-ruined-Ghodbunder-Fort/articleshow/29635859.cms|archive-date=2 February 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} The fort itself is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
{{clear}}
Restoration
Under the Government of Maharashtra; Department of Cultural Affairs; Directorate of Archaeology and Museums' Adopt the Monument Scheme
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Forts and fortresses of the Portuguese empire|state=collapsed}}
{{Forts in Maharashtra}}
{{Forts in India}}
Category:Portuguese forts in India
Category:History of Thane district
Category:Tourist attractions in Thane district
Category:1550s establishments in Portuguese India
Category:1730s in Portuguese India
Category:16th-century forts in India