| Fort Tiracol | |
|---|---|
Fortaleza da Santíssima Trindade[1] | |
| Part ofGoa | |
 | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Fort andChurch |
| Controlled by | Government of Goa |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Restored as a luxury hotel. Church still in use. |
 | |
| Site history | |
| Built | 17th century |
| Built by | Raja ofSawantwadi Viceroy Pedro Miguel de Almeida |
| Materials | GraniteStones andlime mortar |
| Demolished | n/a |
| Battles/wars | 4 |
| Garrison information | |
| Current commander | none |
| Garrison | none |
| Occupants | Staff and Parishioners |
Fort Santíssima Trindade[2] (Fortaleza da Santíssima Trindade inPortuguese) also known asFort Tiracol, is a Portuguese era fort near the village ofTiracol, in theNorth Goa district ofGoa,India. At the mouth of theTerekhol River, the fort can be reached by a ferry fromQuerim, 42 km (26 mi) north ofPanaji.
It is believed that the fort was originally crudely built by Khem Sawant Bhonsle, the Raja ofSawantwadi, in the 17th century.[3] The site chosen was a hillock on the Northern (right) bank of the river, which gave a commanding view of the Arabian sea. The Bhonsles of Sawantwadi kept a sizeable fleet of navy vessels which sheltered in the Tiracol River. The fort initially consisted of 12 guns, a barrack and a chapel.[4]
In 1746, the Portuguese under the 44th Viceroy of Goa,Pedro Miguel de Almeida waged war against the Raja of Sawantwadi, as a retaliation to constant border raids. On 16 November 1746, de Almeida brought the Portuguese fleet up to the River, waged a fierce maritime engagement against the naval forces of the Raja of Sawantwadi in which the Portuguese defeated the Sawantwadi forces utterly. Several skirmishes on land followed and Fort Tiracol was finally surrendered on 23 November 1746 to the Portuguese.[4]
The fort became an important part of Portuguese maritime defences; being extensively revamped in 1764.[citation needed] It remained in Portuguese control till December 1961 when the Portuguese forces in the subcontinent were defeated by India.
On 17 February 1819, following the defeat of the Marathas, a treaty was signed by Raja Bhonsle Khem Sawunt ofSawantwadi who recognised British suzerainty. This treaty effectively abolished the strategic importance of the fort, as it became an enclave in territory controlled by British allies.[5]
During thePortuguese Civil War, the fort served as a rebel stronghold during an uprising in 1825 against the Portuguese led by Dr. Bernardo Peres da Silva, the first Goan bornViceroy of Goa. It was greatly damaged but the fort and the chapel were later rebuilt.[3] A ruthless Commandant, "Tiger-killer" da Cunha entered the fort and ordered the beheading of the entire garrison and the placing of the heads on stakes.[6]
Fort Tiracol was a symbolic location where freedom fighters from Goa demonstrated from time to time.[6] On 15 August 1954, Satyagrahis protesting Portuguese rule entered Goa from three different directions - one of which was from the North to Fort Tiracol, which was occupied and flew the Indian flag for a day before they were captured and imprisoned.[6][7]
Now, Fort Tiracol has been converted into a hotel, called theFort Tiracol Heritage.
A Chapel for the Holy Trinity was constructed in the fort courtyard by de Almeida after its capture. This later became the century-old Church of St. Anthony.[6] Mass is held every Sunday at 9:00 am. The church is not open to the general public at other times, except on certain occasions, such as the annual feast that is usually held in May.[3]
Earth15°43′50″N73°40′55″E / 15.7306°N 73.682°E /15.7306; 73.682
