Fort Anjediva, Portuguese colonial fortress on Anjediva Island, Karnataka, India
Fort Anjediva is a stone fortress standing on a small island off Karnataka's coast, located about 4 kilometers south of Karwar. The settlement spreads across the roughly 1.5-square-kilometer island and includes multiple buildings and structures that developed over several centuries.
The Portuguese established this fortress around 1505 to protect their ships traveling to Asia. Over time it grew into a substantial settlement, particularly after a major renovation in the early 1600s.
The chapel and church on the island reveal how deeply religion shaped life here under Portuguese rule. Visitors can see these places of worship and understand how faith was woven into the daily rhythm of the settlement.
Access to the island is restricted because it is part of a naval base, requiring permission and boat transport from the mainland. Visitors should confirm conditions for visiting in advance.
The island once housed a thriving community with its own school and Jesuit college. These institutions reveal that the settlement was more than a military outpost, functioning as a place of learning and cultural life.
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