| Castella de Aguada | |
|---|---|
 Bandra Fort | |
  Location within Mumbai | |
| General information | |
| Type | Fort |
| Location | Bandra, Mumbai |
| Coordinates | 19°02′30″N 72°49′07″E / 19.041770°N 72.818580°E |
| Elevation | 13 m (43 ft) |
| Completed | 1640 |
| Client | Portuguese |
| Owner | Government of Maharashtra |
Castella de Aguada (corruption of Castelo da Aguada, Portuguese for "Fort of the Waterpoint"), also known as the Bandra Fort, is a fort located in Bandra, Mumbai. "Castella" is a misspelling for Portuguese "Castelo" (castle), although it seems its Portuguese builders actually called it Forte de Bandorá (or Bandra Fort). It is located at Land's End in Bandra. It was built by the Portuguese in 1640 as a watchtower overlooking Mahim Bay, the Arabian Sea and the southern island of Mahim.[1] The strategic value of the fort was enhanced in 1661 after the Portuguese ceded the seven islands of Bombay that lay to the immediate south of Bandra to the English.[2] The name indicates its origin as a place where fresh water was available in the form of a fountain ("Aguada") for Portuguese ships cruising the coasts in the initial period of Portuguese presence. The fort lies over several levels, from sea level to an altitude of 24 metres (79 ft).[1] Castella de Aguada has been featured in several Hindi films, such as Dil Chahta Hai and Buddha Mil Gaya.[3]
- ^ a b Ball, Iain (19 March 2003). "Local 'army' offers to protect Mumbai's 'Castella'". Mumbai Newsline. Express Group. Archived from the original on 24 July 2006. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
- ^ "Revisiting the forgotten forts – Part I- Castella de Aguada: History of the grand ruins in Bandra most Mumbaikars are oblivious to". The Indian Express. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- ^ Lambah, Abha Narain (4 February 2008). "Heritage is also Bollywood's preserve". Mumbai Newsline. Express Group. Retrieved 29 December 2008.[dead link]