Forts in Goa

                         REIS MAGOS FORT   The fort of Reis Magos is located to the extreme south of the Bardez taluka at the northern bank of the river Mandovi. This fort was built by the Portuguese Viceroy Afonso de Noronha between 1551 and 1554 and was again rebuilt in 1703 and played an important part in the defense of Goa in 1739, against the Marathas.Only the Reis Magos Fort and the aguada fort were left in the hands of the Portuguese. The fort is strategically located at the mouth of the Mandovi river and was meant to thwart any attack on the city of Panaji by Sea. Located close to the fort is the Reis magos Church, the first church of Bardez. This church is well known for the colorful 'Festa dos Reis Magos' which is the Feast of the Three Wise Men. The feast is held on 6th of January every year. Along with the Aguada fort situated two miles away, Reis Magos ...

CHAPORA FORT Chapora fort is located northern Goa overlooking the Vagator beach and lies at a distances of about 10 kms  from Mapusa. This fort is also known as Shahpura, which means 'town of Shah', was intended as a border watch post to oversee various Hindu raiders during the 17th century. The fort was built in 1612 and was besieged twice by Shivaji's son, Sambaji, in 1683 A.D. and Bhonsle in 1739 A.D. It was then occupied by the Portuguese in 1741 A.D. until the independence of Goa. During the Portugal rule, the fort was rebuilt and also had underground tunnels in order to help in an escape during a siege. The Chapora fort is a very popular tourist attraction of Goa, being situated close to the vagator beach. From the fort one can get a commanding view of the Vagator beach, Ozran Beach., Morjim Beach and the mouth of Chapora river. The shooting of the Hindi bollywood movie Dil Chahata Hai was at the fort also added to the forts popularit...

                                                           INDRODUCTION Most of the forts in GOA are actually castles or fortresses. But when the British Government in India were cataloging them in the 17th–19th century they used the word forts as it was common in Britain then. All fortifications whether European or Indian were termed forts. Thereafter this became the common usage in India. Three major methods were used for the construction of ancient GOAN forts. The first consisted of earthen ramparts. Often they were constructed of the sand which was dug out of the ditch surrounding the fort. The second of rubble with earth on the outside which was more sturdy. The third type of constr...