Lost Glory: An upcoming virtual talk will capture Mumbai’s forgotten forts

History buffs may be unable to make the mandatory monsoon trek to ancient forts in the city right now but that doesn’t mean they can’t learn more about them. City-based history professor Rashna Poncha will take enthusiasts on an online tour of the city through its hidden forts

Do you know why Mumbai’s Fort area is called Fort? If not, don’t worry. We won’t judge you. Amid the city’s glassy high-rises and its gruelling daily hustle, it’s not always easy to wonder about the city’s history, let alone peer closely at its many ancient forts. Besides, it doesn't help that couples in search of secluded nooks immortalise their names in chalk on the century-old walls of city forts and that picnickers leave unseemly gutkha wrappers and chip packets in the pathways where warriors once trod. 

This is largely why Dr Rashna Poncha, city-based assistant professor with the History department at Sophia College for Women, plans to hold an online talk titled ‘Lost Sentinels: The Forgotten Forts of Mumbai’ on July 22. Organised by the Museum Society of Mumbai and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), the session will shed light on these structures which are in ruins, and fast disappearing from the urban Mumbai landscape. 

While the Bandra fort and Vasai fort have enjoyed popularity as the darlings of pop culture, “it wasn’t until the recent interest in Bombay history that the other forts became known,” says Poncha, citing that the city of Mumbai has six forts. There are also other forts including the one in Vasai that fall on Salsette Island. “Most people have no idea that the Fort area in Mumbai is so-called because of the large Bombay Fort that stood there,” she adds. 

Most of the forts have different architecture styles compared to the rest of India. While the ones in the city belong to the trace italienne style with angular bastions, the ones outside can be seen with rounded bastions, said Poncha, who has also co-edited the books ‘Mumbai: Socio-Cultural Perspectives: Contributions of Ethnic Groups and Communities’ and ‘Down the Corridors of Wisdom’. Having served as protectors of locals and trade in the city, the forts need to be conserved and preserved, believes Poncha. 

Earlier in July, the state government set up a 24-member committee for the conservation of forts. The committee, which will be headed by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, has chosen six forts in the state including Sindhudurg, Sudhagad, Shivneri, Vijaydurg and Rajgad forts that have routinely suffered vandalism and defacement. “It’s not only a responsibility of the authorities – it’s our responsibility as well,” says Poncha, who believes discipline is crucial for conservation. “People can appreciate these structures without feeling the need to break off pieces of it, to mark it and to scratch it. We have great pride in our heritage, but we don’t feel the need to look after it.”

The raging virus and monsoons may have dampened spirits but if people are looking to visit forts in the city once the Covid-19 pandemic subsides, Poncha recommends the Sewri and Dharavi forts and Fort George, which houses the offices of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra. “The ones at Worli and Mahim are difficult to access due to encroachment, while Bombay Castle or INS Angre belongs to the Navy,” says Poncha. In the meantime, she says, attending online lectures and walking tours of these forts can be a good way to immunise heritage against the threat of vandalism.  

Register for the talk, which will be held at 5:30 pm, with the help of the link below
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAsd-mppzwiHdYLY1ETtZrPymTi_dqWxJDd

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