English Fort of Bombay

Fort in Fort, Mumbai

The English Fort of Bombay
A view of the Fort from the Esplanade
General information
Type	Fort
Location	Fort, Mumbai
Completed	1 June 1716^[1]
Demolished	1862-63^[2]
Client	British

The English Fort of Bombay was a fortification situated around the present day Fort region in Mumbai, India. Contrary to popular belief, this is different from the Fort St.George, which was but a northward extension of the walls. The Fort was around 1 mile long, and around a third of a mile in width. The Bombay Castle was located near its centre, it being the oldest fortification.^[3] The walls were proposed all the way back in the latter part of 1600s by Bombay's first governor, Gerald Aungier. He proposed the erection of eight feet high walls; this was not realised until 1716, when Charles Boone was the Governor.^[4]

The Gates

The Fort had Three Gates: the Bazaar Gate (North, opposite today's GPO), the Churchgate (West, on the present site of Flora Fountain), and the Apollo Gate (South, near St.Andrew's Church).^[5] Walking straight from the west gate, led to the St.Thomas' Church (hence the name). On the other hand, the Apollo Gate was named after the Apollo Bunder, and the Bazaar Gate after the bazaar (market) located inside. Thelast was a triple gate (hence, also called the Teen Darwaza), while the last two were double gates (having an inner and outer gate). In earlier times, both the Apollo gate, and Churchgate were closed at sunset, while the Bazaar Gate was shut around half an hour later. The latter was, however, available for the use of Government servants living outside, till around 9:30 p.m.^[6] In 1845, the Bazaar and Church gates were opened throughout day and night, while Apollo was opened on the call of Gunfire, and shut at 10:00 p.m. Sentries were posted at all three gates, for inspection of articles brought in, or sent out of the fort. These examined any articles that might have ammunition or arms.^[7]

The Ditch

The Fort was surrounded by a ditch, constructed in 1739. This was subscribed by some principal merchants, who contributed Rs.30,000 towards the work, perhaps under the fear of an attack from the Marathas.^[8]

Demolition

The Ramparts were eventually removed between 1862 and 1864.^[9] The walls were deemed unnecessary by this time, and their demolition paved the way for the expansion of the city.

Gallery

Map of the fort. The Ravelins of the gates are-26,19,12
Bird's Eye View of the Esplanade, showing the outer Churchgate
The inner Churchgate,1863
Churchgate Street in the 1860s. Spot the Gate at the end of the road
Inner Apollo Gate, Bombay, 1861
The Inscription from Apollo Gate of Bombay's Fort. This was the

References

^ James Douglas (1893). Bombay And Western India Vol 1.
^ James Douglas (1893). Bombay And Western India Vol 1.
^ Murray (publishers.), John (1859). A handbook for India. Part ii. Bombay. p. 273.
^ de Souza, J. P. “GERALD AUNGIER AND HIS PROJECT OF PLANTING AN ENGLISH COLONY AT BOMBAY.” Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, vol. 30, 1968, pp. 327. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/44141500 Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.
^ Gupta, Sourendu (1997-07-21). "18th Century History of Mumbai: Mumbai/Bombay pages". theory.tifr.res.in. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
^ James Douglas (1893). Bombay And Western India Vol 1. p. 257.
^ Douglas, James (1900). Glimpses of old Bombay and western India, with other papers. University of California Libraries. London : S. Low, Marston. pp. 86–87.
^ Murray (publishers.), John (1859). A handbook for India. Part ii. Bombay. p. 274.
^ Douglas, James (1900). Glimpses of old Bombay and western India, with other papers. University of California Libraries. London : S. Low, Marston. p. 88.