Ghodbunder Fort, 16th-century fort in Thane district, India
Ghodbunder Fort is a stone fortress perched on elevated ground near the Ulhas River in Thane, with thick walls and towers that display Portuguese military design. The ruins remain partly intact, allowing visitors to understand the original defensive layout and how the structure once functioned.
Portuguese forces built the fort around 1550 to control and monitor trade routes along the coast. The stronghold later passed to Maratha rule when Chimanaji Appa conquered it in 1737.
The fort displays a blend of Portuguese and Indian building styles visible in its stone structures and layout, showing how different cultures left their mark over the centuries. Walking through the grounds, you can sense the layered history in the way spaces were designed and used.
The best way to reach the fort is via Ghodbunder Road from Mumbai, with the final approach on foot manageable from the roadside. October through March offers the most comfortable conditions for visiting, as the weather is mild and pathways stay dry.
The fort's name comes from the Portuguese horse trade that once happened here, as 'Ghod' means horse and 'Bandar' means port in local languages. This origin reflects how central the location was to colonial trading activities.
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