DessieIqj504 at 09:51, 4 April 2026

2026-04-04T09:51:32Z

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{{Short description|Fort in Mumbai, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox building
| name = The English Fort of Bombay
| native_name =
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| image = View of Bombay Fort (1811).jpg
| caption = A view of the Fort from the Esplanade
| location = [[Fort (Mumbai precinct)|Fort]], [[Mumbai]]
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| completion_date = 1 June 1716<ref>{{Cite book |last=James Douglas |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.529160/page/n257/mode/1up |title=Bombay And Western India Vol 1 |date=1893}}</ref>
| inauguration_date =
| demolished_date = 1862-63<ref>{{Cite book |last=James Douglas |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.529160/page/n266/mode/1up |title=Bombay And Western India Vol 1 |date=1893}}</ref>
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| building_type = Fort
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| client = British
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}}
'''The English Fort of Bombay''' was a fortification situated around the present day [[Fort (Mumbai precinct)|Fort region]] in [[Mumbai]], India. Contrary to popular belief, this is different from the [[Fort George, India|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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Murray (publishers.) |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vg0IAAAAQAAJ&dq=Fort+George,+Bombay&pg=PA274 |title=A handbook for India. Part ii. Bombay |date=1859 |pages=273 |language=en}}</ref> 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 (governor)|Charles Boone]] was the Governor.<ref>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.</ref>

== The Gates ==
The Fort had Three Gates: the Bazaar Gate (North, opposite today's [[General Post Office, Mumbai|GPO]]), the Churchgate (West, on the present site of [[Flora Fountain]]), and the Apollo Gate (South, near [[Church of St. Andrew and St. Columba|St.Andrew's Church]]).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Sourendu |date=1997-07-21 |title=18th Century History of Mumbai: Mumbai/Bombay pages |url=https://theory.tifr.res.in/bombay/history/c18.html |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=theory.tifr.res.in}}</ref> Walking straight from the west gate led to the [[St. Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai|St.Thomas' Church]] (hence the name). On the other hand, the Apollo Gate was named after the [[Wellington Pier, Mumbai|Apollo Bunder]], and the Bazaar Gate after the bazaar (market) located inside. The last 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=James Douglas |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.529160/page/n257/mode/1up |title=Bombay And Western India Vol 1 |date=1893 |pages=257}}</ref> The Churchgate was initially called the Pawanchakki Gate (Windmill in the local language), since it would lead to the [[windmill]] on the western side of the island, that was constructed in 1725 for grinding wheat.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Māḍagã̄vakara |first=Govinda Nārāyaṇa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=50Hmdwd_bigC |title=Govind Narayan's Mumbai: An Urban Biography from 1863 |date=2008 |publisher=Anthem Press |isbn=978-1-84331-305-2 |pages=126 |language=en}}</ref>

There was also a statue of [[Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley|Marquis Wellesley]], just outside the outer Churchgate.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Douglas |first=James |url=https://archive.org/details/glimpsesofoldbom00dougrich/page/86/mode/2up?q=gate |title=Glimpses of old Bombay and western India, with other papers |date=1900 |publisher=London : S. Low, Marston |others=University of California Libraries |pages=86–87}}</ref> Businessmen in Bombay contributed towards this statue, which was ordered from England. It depicted the former governor sitting on a throne and gifting a purse to a Marathi wrestler standing in front of him. Adjacent to the wrestler was a statue of a lady, whose right hand touched a plaque engraved with the words 'Wisdom, Energy, Integrity'. Sculptures of a lion and lioness were carved in the rear. The people of Bombay referred to it as the "Pehelwan's (wrestler's) statue". Upon its installation, the statue began to be worshipped by a few, who were mistaken that the Company Sarkar had ordered an English god for their worship. For several years, the people offered coconuts, conducted poojas, and even took vows in front of the statue. Realising that this was inappropriate, the government resolved to put an end to this practice. An iron fence was installed, and a guard was appointed to warn any person who tried to worship the statue.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Māḍagã̄vakara |first=Govinda Nārāyaṇa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=50Hmdwd_bigC&q=Marquis+Wellesley+ |title=Govind Narayan's Mumbai: An Urban Biography from 1863 |date=2008 |publisher=Anthem Press |isbn=978-1-84331-305-2 |pages=130 |language=en}}</ref>

In 1845, the Bazaar and Church gates were opened throughout the 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Douglas |first=James |url=https://archive.org/details/glimpsesofoldbom00dougrich/page/86/mode/2up?q=gate |title=Glimpses of old Bombay and western India, with other papers |date=1900 |publisher=London : S. Low, Marston |others=University of California Libraries |pages=86–87}}</ref>

== Bombay Green ==
[[File:Panorama - From the Cathedral, Bombay. No. 5. Across old Bombay Green (12674819783).jpg|thumb|310x310px|View of the Bombay Green from the St.Thomas' Cathedral (dated.1855-62). The Town Hall is visible at the center.]]
At the centre of the Fort township, there was a large circular space called the Bombay Green. Trade of cotton took place in this central space situated in front of the [[Asiatic Society of Mumbai Town Hall|Town Hall]]. It could be easily seen by any individual standing below the Churchgate, since it was directly at the end of the Churchgate Street. Three wells dotted its Western side. These were constructed by philanthropists as a part of Water charity. One such well with a Banyan Tree was built over with a Water fountain in 1873.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ADMIN |first=UDRI |date=2016-08-10 |title=Restoration of Pyau at Horniman Circle |url=https://www.udri.org/projects/restoration-pyau-horniman-circle/# |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=URBAN DESIGN RESEARCH INSTITUTE |language=en-US}}</ref> At the centre was a statue of [[Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis|Marquis Cornwallis]], who was worshiped by the poor, and the labourers mistakenly as a 'Gora Dev' (translated to Fair skinned God)(visit the gallery section). Some prominent Buildings located along the Green were the [[Bombay Theatre|Bombay Theater]] building and the Fire house (Fire Brigade) at the North, and the Town Hall at the East. Eventually the Green paved way for the Elphinstone Circle, which was created slightly North of it, (to align with the Town Hall) and is now known as the [[Horniman Circle Gardens|Horniman Circle]].

== The Ditch ==
The Fort was surrounded by a [[ditch]], 2.75 mi (4.425 km) long,<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Douglas |first=James |url=https://archive.org/details/glimpsesofoldbom00dougrich/page/100/mode/2up?view=theater&q=Court |title=Glimpses of old Bombay and western India, with other papers |date=1900 |publisher=London : S. Low, Marston |others=University of California Libraries |pages=85}}</ref> 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 [[Maratha Confederacy|Marathas]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Murray (publishers.) |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vg0IAAAAQAAJ&dq=Fort+George,+Bombay&pg=PA274 |title=A handbook for India. Part ii. Bombay |date=1859 |pages=274 |language=en}}</ref> It was filled with seawater, and could be filled or drain as desired. When it rained, some drains within the city would open into this moat.<ref name=":0" /> Waste would often be thrown into the ditch, and it was noted on 17 May 1859, that the "Ditch [was] fearfully foul." One more incident is from May 1851, when the entire ditch fell dry, something that rarely ever occurred.<ref name=":1" /> People were prohibited from washing, swimming, or fishing in it as well.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Douglas |first=James |url=https://archive.org/details/glimpsesofoldbom00dougrich/page/88/mode/2up?view=theater&q=ditch |title=Glimpses of old Bombay and western India, with other papers |date=1900 |publisher=London : S. Low, Marston |others=University of California Libraries |pages=88}}</ref>

== The Great Fire of Bombay ==
[[File:17_February_1803_Bombay_Fire_damage_map.jpg|thumb|Map indicating the damage from the 17 February 1803 Bombay Fire]]
On 17 February 1803, a fire broke out within the fort. This was in the Northern part of the fort, where the native residents lived (as opposed to the South, where the British among others lived). A total of 471 houses, 5 barracks, and 6 places of worship were burned in the fire.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chavan |first=Akshay |date=2022-03-31 |title=The Great Mumbai Fire of 1803: Have we Learnt Anything? |url=https://www.peepultree.world/livehistoryindia/story/eras/great-mumbai-fire?srsltid=AfmBOooO7c7BL073-jg-mfdpGtwrOp_-vRhyGzSRt9lmXfGCgQM-VHPp |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=PeepulTree |language=en}}</ref>

== Demolition ==
The Ramparts were eventually removed between 1862 and 1864.<ref name=":2" /> The walls were deemed unnecessary by this time, and their demolition paved the way for the expansion of the city.<ref name=":1" /> Commenting on the demolition of the walls, author James Douglas said that the walls had never been a defence, and had only protected [blocked] the city from ventilation, and the winds from the [[Konkan]]. He spoke of how the city needed proper protection only during the 1689 Siege of Bombay (during the [[Anglo-Mughal war (1686–1690)|Child's War]]), which was provided by the [[Bombay Castle]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=James Douglas |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.529160/page/n267/mode/1up?q=Green&view=theater |title=Bombay And Western India Vol 1 |date=1893}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Bombay fort.jpg|Map of the fort. The [[Ravelin]]s of the gates are-26,19,12
File:Churchgate Bombay 1863.jpg|The inner Churchgate,1863
File:Street in Bombay in the 1860s.jpg|Churchgate Street in the 1860s. Spot the Gate at the end of the road
File:Apollo Gate, Bombay, 1861.jpg|Inner Apollo Gate, Bombay, 1861
File:Apollo Gate Inscription.jpg|The Inscription from Apollo Gate of Bombay's Fort.
File:Bird's Eye View of the Esplanade, Bombay (12675742344).jpg|Bird's Eye View of the Esplanade, showing the outer Churchgate
File:Panorama - From the Cathedral, Bombay. No. 1. Looking towards Malabar Point (12675396993).jpg|View from the Cathedral, looking west.
File:Old Bombay Green (12675742934).jpg|View from the Town Hall, looking west. The Churchgate can be spotted at the end of the street
File:Fortbomaby.jpg|A street in the fort, 1883
File:BOMBAY ARSENAL.jpg|The Arsenal on Bombay's Fort
File:A View of Bombay from Malabar Point during the Fire of 1803.jpg|View of Bombay from Malabar Point during the Fire of 1803
File:The Fleet Leaving Bombay, September 11 1809 GAC 10060.jpg|The fleet under convoy of HMS Chiffone, leaving from the Apollo Gate of Bombay, 1809
File:Bombay fort from the sea.jpg|The Fort from the Harbour side
File:Statue of Marquis of Cornwallis outside Bhau Daji Lad Museum.jpg|Statue of Marquis Cornwallis hau Daji Lad Museum. It was formerly located at Bombay Green.
File:The Marques of Wellesley's Monument, Bombay, 1875.jpg|A sketch of the Statue of Marquis Wellesley outside the Churchgate (1875)
File:Statue of Marquis of Wellesley outside Bhau Daji Lad Museum.jpg|Present location of the same statue outside Bhau Daji Lad Museum.
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Forts around Mumbai}}

{{coord missing|Maharashtra}}

[[Category:Forts around Mumbai]]
[[Category:History of Mumbai]]
[[Category:1862 disestablishments]]
[[Category:1769 establishments in the British Empire]]
[[Category:18th-century forts in India]]
[[Category:Demolished buildings and structures in India]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 1862]]

English Fort of Bombay - Revision history

DessieIqj504 at 09:51, 4 April 2026