Sewri Fort

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Old map of the region (post 1805).
Old map of the region (post 1805).

The Sewri Fort is a fort built by the British in Sewri in Mumbai (Bombay) in 1680 as a checkpost. Its ruins stand on a quarried hill, near the railway station. The fort was subsequently used to house prisoners and later became a Bombay Port Trust godown.

A sketch of the Bombay fort. According to some historians, this was the Sewri Fort.
A sketch of the Bombay fort. According to some historians, this was the Sewri Fort.

In 1769, Yadi Sakat of Janjira had conquered the Sewri and Mazagon Forts. It had a garrison of 50 sepoys under a subedar, and was probably equipped with 8-10 cannons. Its famous cannons repelled a Portuguese attack in 1772.

The fort is currently owned by Maharashtra state's Department of Archaeology and Museums. Classified as a Grade I heritage structure, the fort is currently in a dilapadated condition with overgrown weeds. A Rs. 75 lakh (7.5 million) makeover is planned along with a corridor to watch the flamingoes that reside in the nearby marshes.

Architectural highlights include a pentagonal room along with a long domed corridor, and linear vaulted structures.

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