Mandvi Fort is a ruined fort located in Mandvi, Gujarat, India. It is Gujarat's last-standing maritime fort.
History
The Fortress of Mandvi was built in the 17th century.
In 1978, Mandvi municipality was handed over the fort under condition that it will preserve the fortress. Later in 1992, the municipality decided to demolish 290 metres (950 ft) of wall to free the land but was opposed by citizens. The appeal was rejected in 1993 and the 300 metres (980 ft) -long wall of the west side was demolished in 1993. In 1999, the state archeological department considered it for declaring protected monument but later decided against it. After assessing the condition of the fort, the court rejected appeals against demolition in 2001. The fort wall was demolished in two phases except four gates and six bastions which were preserved as protected monuments.
Architecture and fittings
It was 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) long, 2.7 metres (8 ft 10 in) broad, and 3 metres (9.8 ft) high with five gates, three windows and seven bastions (kotha).
The fort had several gateways and 25 bastions. At present, most of the wall has disappeared. The bastion on the southwest is largest and acts as a lighthouse. The circular masonry tower of Mandvi Lighthouse is situated up the spiral stairs of the bastion of the Mandvi Fort.
Notes
- According to The Times of India (2001), the fort was built by Raoshri Bharmalji, in 1549.
References
- ^ "500-year-old Mandvi fort being demolished in Kutch". The Times of India. 29 October 2001. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
- ^ Prasad, I.C. R. (December 2001). "Earthquake results in lighthouse destruction". www.lighthousedigest.com. Retrieved 30 December 2024.