 | This article has multiple issues. Please helpimprove it or discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these messages) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
| Ponda Fort | |
|---|---|
Forte de Pondá | |
| Part ofPortuguese India | |
| Village ofFarmagudi NearPonda in India | |
 Ponda Fort | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Hill Fort |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Renovated |
| Location | |
  Ponda Fort Location of Ponda Fort Show map of Goa Ponda Fort Ponda Fort (India) Show map of India | |
| Coordinates | 15°24′46″N73°59′21″E / 15.41278°N 73.98917°E /15.41278; 73.98917 |
| Height | 40m |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1546 |
| Built by | Muslim forces of Adil Shah. |
| Materials | Laterite stone and mud |
| Garrison information | |
| Current commander | none |
| Past commanders | Francisco de Távora |
ThePonda Fort is located nearPonda, in the state ofGoa on the west coast of India. The present structure is a modern reconstruction on this location and converted into a park. In 2017 the lower walls of the fort had collapsed, due to neglect and also due to the use of poor quality materials during a previous (1977) renovation. The original structure was constructed of stone and mud, and left bare, the new structure contains stone, concrete and is plastered and painted red.
In the early 16th century, the region aroundPonda was ruled by theAdil Shahi Kingdom. They wanted a defense against the ever-expandingPortuguese Empire to the west, and had built a fortification on a hillside at Farmagudi. Shivaji Maharaj I led a failed raid on the fort in 1665. Due to their recent skirmishes with the Portuguese, the Sultan's forces were weakened and the fort was badly damaged due to the artillery bombardment. Shivaji Maharaj tried again, this time successfully, to capture the fort later in 1675.[citation needed]
After chhatrapati Shivaji's death, his sonchhatrapati Sambhaji raje succeeded to theMaratha Empire. In 1683, he launched asurprise attack on the Konkan territories of Portugal. To avoid unnecessary bloodshed, the Portuguese offered to pay off the local Maratha governor named Naik to take control over Ponda Fort. This peace offer was refused, since Naik was expecting the arrival of Sambhaji reinforcements fromRajapur. He had along with him an army of 11,000 infantry and 6,000 cavalry. The Portuguese Viceroy,Francisco de Tavora, led an artillery attack on the fort to weaken it. In this battle, the Ponda Fort was badly damaged and there were high casualties among the Marathas but the fort remained under Maratha control. The war ended with a general retreat of the Maratha forces from Portuguese territories.Following dharmaveer Sambhaji maharaj's execution by theMughals atTulapur in 1689, thePeshwas gained control over the Maratha Empire which also included Ponda Fort.
In 1783, the fort, along with the rest of theNovas Conquistas regions was ceded to the Portuguese by the MarathaKingdom of Savantvadi underRamachandra Savant I Bhonsle, as they needed assistance against their rivalSambhaji II of theKingdom of Kolhapur. It stayed under Portuguese control for more than 175 years until theInvasion of Goa by India. During this time, it fell into disuse and crumbled off due to neglect, as there was no hostile forces left, to defend against.
The Indian government took control of the fort after 1961, and renovated it into a park in 1977. During this time, a statue of chhatrapatiShivaji Maharaj was erected byShashikala Kakodkar of the pro-MarathiMaharashtrawadi Gomantak Party.
