The Chapora Fort occupies an important
position which, in every direction commanded distant approaches. Rising above
the wide Chapora River, long before the Portuguese arrived in Goa, was a fort
in place of the present one built. Even after the Portuguese acquired Bardez,
the fort changed hands several times and was much sought after. Trying to end
the Portuguese rule in Goa, Prince Akbar joined his father’s enemies, the
Marathas in 1683 and made this place his base camp and it became the northern
outpost of the Old conquests. After the Portuguese recovered from a scary
experience with the Marathas they learnt that they had to strengthen their
northern defenses and provide shelter to the people there, but not until 1717
this present fort was built.
The brilliant site has steep slopes on all
sides. The fort follows the outline of higher slopes, stands above the whole
upland area having an irregular outer plan and uses the natural form to add
defensive height to the fullest advantage instead of dry ditches being dug. At
the top of the steep approach track, the main gate is small and unpretentious
for such a large fort but narrow and deep. Depending on defense requirements,
the positions of bastions each having the cylindrical turret that gives a
special character are irregularly spaced with their enormous embrasures for
cannon. The church that was dedicated to St. Anthony has disappeared and inside
only a few signs of the barracks and housing that once filled this vast area
are left. Now in a wide expanse of open space there is only a tumble of stones
with a few herds of goats and cashew bushes. A natural valley to the beach
protected by rocky promontories provides an excellent natural access to the
sea.
Across the Chapora river, the Hindu ruler of
Pernem, the Maharaja of Sawantwadi who was an old enemy of the Portuguese held
the fort for 2 years after it fell to the Marathas in 1739 in its first test.
When Goa's border moved northwards with the acquisition of Pernem as part of
the New Conquests, the fort lost its military significance towards the end of
the century. It is a pleasant place to wander that offers fantastic views north
across the Chapora river to Pernem, south over Vagator and also far out to the
Arabian Sea in the West.
This is the fort where shooting of famous
Film Dil Chahta hai was done.
Best time to Visit:
September to April
What to see?
Bastian, Fortification, Water cisterns, Vagator Beach
Water and Food
No water & food on the Fort.
Stay / Accommodation
No place to stay on the Fort. Once can stay in Chapora.
Places to visit around
Anjuna Beach, Mapusa, Calangute Beach, Baga Beach, Aguada Fort,
Reis Magos Fort
Approximate Distance from
Calangute
9 Kms
For more photos see link below
https://www.facebook.com/Weekendtravels.in
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Chapora Fort, Goa |
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Chapora Fort, Goa |
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Chapora Fort, Goa |
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Chapora Fort, Goa |
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Chapora Fort, Goa |
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Chapora Fort, Goa |
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Chapora Fort, Goa |
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Chapora Fort, Goa
For more photos see link below
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.436768283107659.1073741918.359767254141096&type=1&l=65d75964f6 |
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