Forgotten and in dire need of attention – Mormugao fort

Team Herald

vasco: Considered to be one of the foremost coastal forts in Goa according to Goa Tourism, the historic Mormugao Fort is not attracting crowds in sizeable numbers and needs attention. 

“It is said that the fortress, which is just a few kms away from the Mormugao port, was built to guard the mouth of the harbor,” says Goa Tourism. Yet locals feel that the fort is lost in the otherwise bustling port town, which is a hub for commercial activity and receives a decent number of tourists every year. 

“This heritage structure has now become a place for miscreants to drink and smoke”, quipped a Mormugao resident, while adding that the fort could have been developed and maintained better in order to increase the number of footfalls. 

Presence of plastic waste, broken glass liquour bottles etc, in and around the fort are also  an eye sore. 

When contacted, Blossom Medeira, Director of the Archives and Archaeology department, stated that the Fort of Mormugao, is in good shape but agreed that due to the monsoon season, the surrounding area has seen the growth of wild vegetation, which she added will be cleared soon and that efforts in that regard have already been initiated. 

She further opined that, as responsible citizens, visitors to any heritage site need to be conscious about its importance and should try not to damage or harm the place.

On that note, a sign board at the fort states, “causing any damage, alteration, defacing or misuse of this monument is punishable for three months imprisonment and even Rs 5,000 fine.  

“Sadly, nobody seems to be paying heed to this  message,” said locals, who called for increased supervision at the fort premises to ward off ‘anti-social elements’. 

The sign board also states that the monument has been declared as a protected site and has a State importance under ‘Goa, Daman and Diu Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1978 (1 of 1979)’.

History

In 1624, the Portuguese began the construction of a fortified town. The then Viceroy was disturbed by the repeated forays of the Marathas and considered shifting the capital city of the Portuguese Empire in India from Old Goa to Margao. This necessitated additional fortification of the surrounding areas.

In 1703, it is said that the then Viceroy of Goa shifted his residence to within the walls of the fort. However, subsequent Viceroys felt that this area was not central enough and they shifted base back to Old Goa. Later, the Marathas conquered the fort in the 17th century. It spent a few years under Maratha rule before being ceded back to the Portuguese.

Architecture

This fort covers 10 kms in circumference when measured outside the existing walls. Although the bulk of the fort owes its architectural features to the prevailing style of Portuguese architecture there are also places where traces of the Maratha occupancy can be seen, where they have refurbished or added to the original fortifications. 

The original fort included three magazines, towering bulwarks, five prison blocks, a chapel and accommodation for a garrison. Additionally this fort was equipped with the firepower of 53 guns and canons. Many of these features remain intact till today.  The fort was  famous for its fountains, the Fonte de Malabar and the Fonte Santo Ignacio. 

The entrance to the fort has also been carved with the names of the King and the Viceroy under whose aegis the fort was constructed - King Dom Fillip and Don Francisco da Gama.