Indian forts that will take you back in time

Spreading over 40 acres the fort has massive walls about 12 metres in height and is built of local laterite stones. The fort appears to emerge from the sea. Almost three-quarters of its exterior is in contact with water. The important features of this fort are the water-tank with its flight of steps, the magazine for keeping ammunition, and a wide ramp leading to the observation tower built by Tipu Sultan. The fort’s zigzag entrance and surrounding trenches reveal its defensive strategy. Holes on the outer walls are designed to defend the fort effectively from naval attacks.

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The best thing about this fort is that it is surrounded by water on all sides and that is why it is also referred to as Island Fort. The fort was built by Malik Ambar, who was an Abyssinian minister in the court of the Sultan of Ahmednagar. Janjira Fort was built during the end of the 17th century and till date withstood the tests of time. The fort has 19 rounded bastions which are still intact. There are many canons of native and European make rusting on the bastions.

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The fort that was constructed by a feudatory of the Nawabs of Arcot, was the focus point during the Battle of Valikondah in 1751. The fort is oblong in shape with semicircular bastions and a moat encircling it. There are three fortifications at different levels, built with cut stone blocks. The pit in the centre of the fort was used as a prison for male prisoners while female prisoners were jailed in small blocks inside the fort. As per J. Raja Mohamed, an epigraphist and former curator of Government Museum, the fort culminated Mughal architecture in the region.

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Located at Vasai Village in Maharashtra, the fort is a major tourist attraction in the region for its Indo-Portuguese history. The ramparts overlook what is alternatively called the Vasai Creek and the Bhayandar Creek. Several watch-towers still stand, with safe staircases leading up. Three chapels inside the fort are still recognisable. They have facades typical of 17th-century Portuguese churches. Many of the arches have weathered the years remarkably well. They are usually decorated with carved stones, some weathered beyond recognition, others still displaying sharp chisel marks. The fort is a popularshooting location for Bollywood movies and songs.

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Fort Bassein, Palghar,Maharashtra