Built for protection, Mormugao Fort now cries for protection
The Mormugao Fort, a 17th century heritage structure has been given a measly grant of Rs 21 lakhs for its restoration. But at least it’s a beginning to preserve this fort built by the Portuguese to ward off the Marathas
The Mormugao Fort was one of the largest Portuguese forts in Goa and it played a strategic role to ward off enemies of the colonial rule. Over the years, the fort has been in ruins and feeble efforts have been made by authorities to protect the mammoth heritage structure.
Recently, the archaeological department sanctioned Rs 21 lakh for restoration work of the fort, which is being undertaken by a group of eight workers. Work began about three months ago and it is expected to continue for quite some time, since only eight workers have been entrusted the task of restoring the massive structure.
“Restoration of this fort is a challenging task. We wonder how people could have built such a massive fort in the 17th century,” explains the contractor, Shiva Gaudar.
“Utmost care has been taken to prepare cement-mixture which consists of limestone, jaggery, sand and cement to paste on the laterite stone walls of the fort to further strengthen it,” said Gaudar.
He further informed that work would continue for few more months and said the fort will be restored in a phased manner.
The fort, which is about 10 kms in circumference, boasts of 20 bulwarks, cannons, prisons, a chapel and quarters for the guards.
“The boundary of the fort starts from Mormugao Port right up to Khollant in south and St Jacinto Island towards Chicalim in the north,” informed Assistant Superintendent of Archaeologist Manguesh Deshpande.
Deshpande explained that the fort boundaries, ruined walls and bulwark of fort would be restored in a phased manner.
“In the first phase, restoration of fort near the MPT headquarter office is being taken up at a cost of Rs 21 lakh and later, most parts of the fort will be taken up for restoration,” said Deshpande.
Recalling the history of the fort, Deshpande said the Portuguese had realized the threat from the Marathas during the 1600s, as they were keen to free Goa from the Portuguese rule.
“The threat perception forced the Portuguese to build the fort at Mormugao. This fort was built by the Portuguese unlike the forts at Chapora, Cabo-de-Rama and Terekhol, which were built by the Indian rulers. It was strategically designed as a coastal fort to keep vigil on the Arabian Sea,” said Deshpande.
Recently, the ‘Quilla Savardhan Samiti’ (Fort Restoration Committee) was formed during the tenure of then Vasco MLA Rajendra Arlekar to oppose the MPT for imposing restrictions on people to visit the fort as its access is common to the fort and the MPT headquarters building.
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