Korlai Fort is on the Konakan coast in Maharashtra.
This magnificent military fortification was once occupied by the Portuguese in the 1500s and now stands in ruins, overlooking the vast blue of the Arabian Sea. But don’t let the ruins fool you – this place is still a fabulous piece of history!
Built on an extension of land that shielded the Revdanda creek inlet, the island was once called Morro De Chaul, which loosely translates to “Small Hill Near Portuguese Village”. The fort was a great construction of its time and could fit more than 7,000 horses and as many men! Talk about an army of epic proportions!
But what makes the Korlai Fort truly remarkable is the unmatched beauty of the surrounding hill slopes and the sea. Impressive views of the bay and long stretches of sandy beaches are a sight to see. And let’s not forget the ancient water cistern named Santa Cruz, located in the northern region of the fort. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot some remnants of the Portuguese occupation, like the unique dialect of Portuguese Creole called Kristi, still used by the native Korlai village inhabitants.
The Korlai Fort was strategically built on the slopes of a hill, housing a towering lighthouse and eleven large gates, making it hard to infiltrate. However, it did face some invasions! It has been a witness to many struggles between the Portuguese and the Muslims.
The fort is huge, and in its heyday, it was used as a mutually-dependent place of operation between the Portuguese and the Muslims. But tensions broke out, and Abranches, a Portuguese captain with approximately 1,500 soldiers and 1,500 locals, took over the fort. The army camped there tried to prevent this by placing a dead elephant at the main gate and a dead horse at the inner gate. Although the residing soldiers surrendered, the Portuguese did not have enough men to stand guard and destroyed much of the fort, leaving behind only the central watchtower in place. The Marathas and even the son of Shivaji Maharaja, Sambhaji Maharaja, attempted to capture it but failed. Finally, the Marathas took over the fortification in 1739 and ruled over the area until 1818.
But hey, all of that is in the past now, and the Korlai Fort is a famous attraction that allures visitors with its enchanting atmosphere filled with historic ruins and tranquil vistas. So, if you’re a photographer or nature lover, this place is the perfect destination for you! And if you’re lucky enough to visit in the evenings, you’ll get to witness the colorful sunset that will take your breath away.
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