State plans restoration of 400-year-old Belapur Fort
Navi Mumbai: A high-level panel appointed by the state government, the Estimates Committee, visited the over 400-year-old Belapur Fort in Navi Mumbai on Thursday to seek a way for the restoration of the crumbling historical monument.
The Estimates Committee, which comprises members of both the state legislative assembly and legislative council, did an extensive survey of the fort, which was ruled by the Siddis, Portuguese, Marathas as well as the British in different eras.
The state general secretary of the NCP and MLC, Manda Mhatre, told TOI, I had earlier proposed in the house that the much neglected Belapur fort must be restored as it is the pride of not only Belapur but entire Navi Mumbai.
Built in 1560-70 by the Siddis of Janjira, after they wrested control of the area from the Portuguese, it is located on a hillock near the mouth of the Panvel Creek. In 1682, the fort was recaptured by the Portuguese who had managed to annex the regions controlled by the Siddis. The Belapur Fort was called Shabaz at that time.
In 1733, the Marathas, led by Chimanji Appa, captured the fort from the Portuguese. They then christened the fort as Belapur Fort. The Marathas ruled the area until June 23, 1817, when it was captured by Captain Charles Gray of the British East India Company.
Not many know this, but an old structure that was once an office of the East India Company is now a branch office of the customs department in Navi Mumbai. So there is a lot of history here, Mhatre said.
The Mumbai director of Archaelogical Survey of India, R N Hegde, welcomed the move to revive the fort, but added that it was neglected due to certain bureaucratic hurdles.
For several years the ASI has been trying to declare the Belapur Fort as a protected monument; but without the forts revenue records it has been difficult to do so, Hegde said.
The Estimates Committee also visited the police residential quarters in Belapur, to study its redevelopment for the benefit of the policemen families.
The Estimates Committee, which comprises members of both the state legislative assembly and legislative council, did an extensive survey of the fort, which was ruled by the Siddis, Portuguese, Marathas as well as the British in different eras.
The state general secretary of the NCP and MLC, Manda Mhatre, told TOI, I had earlier proposed in the house that the much neglected Belapur fort must be restored as it is the pride of not only Belapur but entire Navi Mumbai.
Built in 1560-70 by the Siddis of Janjira, after they wrested control of the area from the Portuguese, it is located on a hillock near the mouth of the Panvel Creek. In 1682, the fort was recaptured by the Portuguese who had managed to annex the regions controlled by the Siddis. The Belapur Fort was called Shabaz at that time.
In 1733, the Marathas, led by Chimanji Appa, captured the fort from the Portuguese. They then christened the fort as Belapur Fort. The Marathas ruled the area until June 23, 1817, when it was captured by Captain Charles Gray of the British East India Company.
Not many know this, but an old structure that was once an office of the East India Company is now a branch office of the customs department in Navi Mumbai. So there is a lot of history here, Mhatre said.
The Mumbai director of Archaelogical Survey of India, R N Hegde, welcomed the move to revive the fort, but added that it was neglected due to certain bureaucratic hurdles.
For several years the ASI has been trying to declare the Belapur Fort as a protected monument; but without the forts revenue records it has been difficult to do so, Hegde said.
The Estimates Committee also visited the police residential quarters in Belapur, to study its redevelopment for the benefit of the policemen families.
REVIVAL ON THE CARDS: The state general secretary of the NCP and MLC, Manda Mhatre, and other members of the Estimates Committee visited the Belapur Fort on Thursday