Colvale Fort (Goa)

Fortaleza de São Sebastião de Tivim
Portuguese: Fortim Tivim / English: Tivim Fort
Part of Portuguese Goa
Tivim, Goa, India
Fortaleza de São Sebastião de Tivim
Coordinates 15°38′57″N 73°50′03″E / 15.6492389°N 73.8341908°E / 15.6492389; 73.8341908
Code IN-GA
Site information
Owner India Government of India
Controlled by  Portuguese Empire (1681-1961)
Maratha Empire (1739-1742)
 India (1961-)
Open to
the public		 Yes
Condition Ruins
Site history
Built 1635-1681
Built by Portuguese India
Materials Brick and Stone fort
Demolished Abandoned in 1841

O Fortaleza de São Sebastião de Tivim, also called the Tivim fort (after the village where it is located) and the Middle Fort or Fortress Tivim, is located in the village of tivim, in the State of Goa, on the west coast of India. Currently, it is in ruins.

History

This fort was built in 1635 on the orders of the then Viceroy of the Estado Português da Índia, D. Miguel de Noronha, conde de Linhares. The fortress was completed in the year 1681 by the count of Alvor as a barrier to safeguard the Bardez frontier against the Marathas and Bhonsles.

In the year 1739 it was annexed by the Maratha warriors and after 2 years it was recaptured by Luís Carlos Inácio Xavier de Meneses, 1st Marquis of Louriçal. The fort had a small garrison, besides a regiment. In the year 1841, the regiment was moved to Mapusa and the fortress gradually lost its importance; it had for a few years been abandoned and neglected.

Inscription

On its gates, an epigraphic inscription read:

"REINANDO O CATHOLICO REI DÕ FILLIPE X3X GOVERNANDO ESTE ESTADO O VIGILÃTISSIMO DÕ MIGUEL DE NORONHA CONDE DE LINHARES SE FEZ ESTA OBRA 1635." (Portuguese: "In the reign of the Catholic king Filipe XIIIX, the Governor of this State Miguel de Noronha, Count of Linhares, undertook this work. 1635.")

Protected site

The ruins and site of the fort have been protected by the Government of Goa, Daman and Diu (now the Government of Goa) as a historical heritage site since 1983.[1]

Architecture

The fort shows the influence of both Portuguese and Hindu architecture. During the Marathas's stay at this fort, they re-designed some parts of the monument based on the local architectural style. Though much of the fort is in ruins, its structural importance can still be comprehended.

The fort was primarily built of brick and stone and mud and is considered to be quite huge. On the exterior the fort has high walls to stop enemies from entering the fort. It is believed that the interior of the fort once had the bastions and cannons of the Marathas and the Portuguese rulers, but since most of the fort is ruined in the present day, very few traces of them remain to be seen.

Location

The fort area is located in Survey No. 74 Subdivision 23 of Colvale village in Bardez, and the land is owned by the government of Goa.[2]

Nearby stands the Church of Colvale, founded by the Franciscans in 1591, rebuilt in 1678 and renovated after the fire it suffered during the invasion of Marathas forces under the command of Sambhaji in 1683.

Bibliography

  • Mendes, António Lopes. A India portugueza: breve descripção das possessões portuguezas na Ásia. Asian Educational Services, 1989. ISBN 8120604717.

References

  1. ↑ "Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites" (PDF). Goa Printing Press.
  2. ↑ http://www.daa.goa.gov.in/monuments.php

Coordinates: 15°37′11″N 73°49′47″E / 15.6197°N 73.8297°E / 15.6197; 73.8297

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