Chapora Fort

Goa Trip

Type: Sea fort
Area: Panjim
Grade: Easy
Base Village: 10kms from Mapusa, Vagotar/Anjuna beach
Time to climb: 20 mins Hours
Best time to visit: Anytime of the year
Time visited: July 2012
Way to reach from Pune: Travel to Panji. It’s an Half an hour’s drive – 20 kms from Panjim.

History as on Internet: Chapora Fort name derived from Chapora Riverwas constructed by Adil Shah of Bijapur long before the Portuguese arrived in Goa and was called Shahpura, ('town of Shah'), Even after the Portuguese acquired Bardez, the fort changed hands several times and was much sought after. Trying to end the Portuguese rule in Goa, Prince Akbar joined his father’s enemies, the Marathas in 1683 and made this place his base camp and it became the northern outpost of the Old conquests. The Portuguese troops had to surrender to Sambhaj Mharaj in 1684. But discord boiled over between the locals and the Marathas. Finally in 1717, the Marathas withdrew their force. The Portuguese then took over again and rebuilt the fort. The new structure of the fort was equipped with underground tunnels that ensured a safe getaway in case of an emergency. Even this glory was not for long. Again in 1739 the Marathas captured the Chapora fort. Two years later, in 1741, the Portuguese regained the fort when the northern taluka of Pernem was handed over to them.




I had covered lot seaforts in konkan 2years ago. So this time I was thrilled to get a chance to visit the Dil Chata Hai fame fort- Chapora. We were staying in south Goa near Colva beach. We started after having a breakfast and it took almost 2 hours to reach the fort.


On the way to the fort.











It’s a small climb of 20 minutes. There is very little space at the foothills for car parking. The boundary walls are clearly visible from the base.



A small gate takes you inside of the fort. If you look back you can see amazing view of huge number of coconut trees below.
















 
Monument


















 
The red laterite stone walls stand still facing the gushing winds and heavy rains.


 
Amazing view of the beautiful beaches- Anjuna and Vagator.

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We proceeded to our next destination - Auguada fort.


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