File:Bandra-fort-mumbai.jpg

English: This article is about the fort in Bandra, Mumbai. For the fort in Goa, see Fort Aguada.

Castella de Aguada बांद्रा किल्ला Castella de Aguada 7.jpg Bandra Fort Castella de Aguada is located in Mumbai Castella de Aguada Location within Mumbai General information Type Fort Location Bandra, Mumbai Coordinates 19.041770°N 72.818580°E Elevation 13 m (43 ft) Completed 1640 Client Portuguese Owner Government of Maharashtra

Castella de Aguada (Portuguese: 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). Properly, it should be called Castelo da Aguada, 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. 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]

Photo by Ashesh Shah