-Location: Find this 17th-century fortress ruin at Bardez, Goa (The Northern side of Goa)
About Chapora Fort History:
The Chapora Fort has passed onto many rulers in history. King Shahpur built this fort, but later it became a stronghold for the Sultanate of Bijapur. Over the 17th and 18th centuries, this fort saw a new revolution and a battle for ownership for Bardez. By 1737, Hindu king of Pernem, a Maharaja of Sawantwadi and an enemy to Portuguese took control of this fort for two years.
The province of Pernem was exactly on the opposite side of the fort and hence, it became the first target for the rulers to conquer and capture the Portuguese. By 1939, this fort came back into the hands of Marathas. However, the Portuguese’s main motive to use this fort was to seize the opportunity of the Indian rulers who were trying to get their control over Goa. The battle for control over the Chapora Fort and Goa surged to new heights during the Maratha-Portuguese war.
After the war, the Portuguese simply acquired the whole province of Pernem with a counter-attack. They didn’t take the control over the fort again, but they did everything that they could do, to reduce their dependence on military force. By 1892, Chapora Fort lost its significance when Portuguese men were successful in changing their strategy. However, that couldn’t last long when in 1961 they were forced to leave Goa. And after Goa’s independence, hippies started surrounding Vagator, Anjuna, and Mapusa; the villages and towns in the vicinity of this fort.
The Architecture of Chapora Fort
This laterite fort is quite steep and slanting for non-hikers or for those who have difficulty in walking because of health or age problems. Though, with time, there were proper carpeted roads just below the steep beginning of this fort.
The walls of this fort earlier had large and strong bastions. Between these bastions, soldiers used the narrow embrasures to hold canons and fire against the raiders to win battles. There are still large towers to back the remaining of those bastions. The entrance gate of the fort on the hilltop is iron wrought and is slightly rusted. Earlier, there used to be a church named after St. Anthony but now, hardly any ruins remain resembling that church.
At the commence of the 18th century, there were proper barracks and office quarters for the officers who were on duty to patrol but nothing of that sort remains now. The most interesting thing to observe and explore at the fort are the mouths of the tunnels which were used by the Portuguese for their quick escape. Travellers do hike to the hilltop for viewing the beautiful sunset and to spend some leisure time with their loved ones.
Normally, cows and goats also roam around the lower steepness of the hill, feeding on green and lush bushes. Other than that, the fort is pretty wide while it surrounds the beautiful neighbourhood of Anjuna & Mapusa villages, and Vagator beach, extended by the Arabian Sea and Chapora River.
Tips for Visiting Chapora Fort
1. Do not wear anything uncomfortable: For travellers who are planning to hike up to the hilltop, it is strongly advised not to wear anything uncomfortable like heels. Otherwise, it will only cause distress while climbing the steep region.
2. Bring ample cash: There is no ATM as such here on the hilltop or where the vendors sell the refreshments. So, if travellers feel hungry, they will have to pay cash.
3. Bring your own eatables: The vendors at the bottom of the fort might charge higher even for a water bottle because of the lack of resources. Hence, instead of waiting for them to reduce the price, travellers can bring their own resources like water, chips, sandwiches, etc.
4. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses: The sun does not set soon when you are on the hilltop. The heat might be overbearing for some. To avoid sunburns or allergic reactions, travellers should use sunscreens and sunglasses.
The best moment to explore Chapora Fort is during the late afternoon when the sun is not directly over your head. In Goa, during December and January, the weather still gets too hot to bear in the afternoon, especially at the hilltops.
