Mira Road’s 16th-century Ghodbunder Fort, once a pivotal military outpost, is on the brink of a remarkable revival through a ₹15 crore restoration project nearing completion. Located on a hill overlooking the Ulhas Creek, this fort was originally built to house 200 soldiers, with a mission to defend against Maratha attacks on key sites like the Vasai and Durgadi forts. A detailed report regarding the same was published in the Hindustan Times which mentioned that for many years, the fort was hidden beneath thick vegetation and went largely unnoticed by conservation efforts. However, renewed interest in preserving this historical site has sparked efforts to restore it to its former prominence and uncover its heritage.
Restoration Challenges
The fort’s restoration, classified as a Grade III-B heritage project, began in 2014 but faced multiple setbacks, including bureaucratic delays and interruptions due to Covid-19. Architects Sapna Lakhe and Shwetambari Shinde of Sankraman Design Studio took on the project, encountering substantial challenges. The structure was in disrepair, with walls overtaken by trees and unauthorized repair work from the 1990s that had covered parts of the fort in cement plaster, concealing its historical fabric. Lakhe and Shinde’s team started by carefully peeling away the cement layers and clearing invasive vegetation that had grown over the original red laterite stones. Each stone was then meticulously dismantled, labeled, and reassembled using lime mortar, a binding material consistent with the fort’s historical construction methods.
Portuguese and Maratha Influences
Ghodbunder Fort’s architecture displays a unique blend of Portuguese and Maratha styles, reflecting its layered history. Portuguese elements are visible in the fort’s symmetrical archways and the red laterite stones used in its structure, a characteristic material of the Konkan region. After the Marathas took control, they introduced their own modifications, including the use of chira stone in some areas. These influences can be seen clearly in the bastion, a circular watchtower with panoramic views over Mira Road, contrasting with the angular designs typical of Portuguese fortifications. As part of the restoration, steps and ramps were added to improve accessibility, and the landscape was carefully designed to retain the fort’s original symmetry. Basalt stone flooring and seating areas were placed around the mature trees, preserving the natural beauty of the site.
New Discoveries
During the restoration process, the team made an unexpected discovery—a hidden underground room filled with rubble. Archaeologists suggested the room could have served multiple purposes: as a “chakwa,” or misleading entryway to trap enemies, a “chor darwaza,” or rear exit, or possibly as a simple storeroom. The room has now been opened to visitors and contains terracotta artifacts found within it, adding a layer of mystery to the fort’s history. Additionally, several rectangular rooms within the fort, possibly once used for storage or horse trading, are being repurposed. Planned uses include heritage displays of cannons from the Mira Bhayandar area, a children’s library, and spaces for exhibitions.