Mumbai - Visit to Mahim Fort

 Went to Mahim Fort which is under some kind of a reconstruction and could not access it from the normal side. We went to the other side and found that it was shut - no entry. But one could see its walls and generally get an idea that it is much bigger than the Worli Fort.

A view of the Mahim Fort

The Mahim Fort is in the Mahim Bay and overlooks Worli to the South, Bandra to the North. It was built in 1516 by the Portuguese. However they had skirmishes with the Gujrati Governors there and it is was only in 1534 that they took it over from Gujarati ruler Bahadur Shah.

Gate, ramparts, bastions

Mahim, was part of the seven islands which were home to Marathi speaking Koli people. Ruled over the years by indigenous rulers like Mauryas, Satavahanas, Western Satraps, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas from the 3rd century to the 9th century when Shilahara dynasty ruled from 810-1260 with some stability. Then came the Delhi Sultanate with hits Governors (1347-1407) and then the Gujarat Sultanate (1407-1493) and then the Portuguese. The Portuguese gave away most of the islands to the British as dowry for Catherine of Braganza (now we know why there are so many Mrs Braganzas in Mumbai) who married Prince Charles II of England. Charles II leased the islands out at 10 pounds to the East India Company.

Haji Ali dargah was built during the reign of the Gujarat Sultanate in 1431. 

Locked gate 

After the British gained control over Mahim they strengthened the fort built by the Portuguese as a lookout against the Portuguese and the Marathas. In 1772, the Portuguese did attack the fort but was repelled by the British forces thanks to its cannons and a 100 strong force.

  

A fortified wall

Mural painted on a wall - zoom in, it has some interesting landmarks

And so on and on until today only a few remnants of the fort remain. 

The Buddhists, Gujarat rulers, Portuguese, British have all left behind structures and monuments in Mumbai for us. Can check them out sometime.