It is really appalling to see the dilapidated condition of this "Grade 1" fort.
Once an important base during the time of the British Raj, the Mahim fort is today in amidst slums, garbage & faeces. The slums are made within the fort, so you can only see the outside. In short it is completely encroached and the unfortunate part it is supposed to be a Grade 1 heritage. An elderly man who has been staying here since 1976, shared with me his woos while being taken through garbage, and faeces (thankfully I was very cautious to not step into any). He mentioned it has deteriorated more in the last 10-12 years, and the fort is falling apart, and people living inside are in danger. Moving is not possible as they do not have any other place to stay. On reaching one point, you refrain from going further as there are people defecating. He went on to mention with me that Manohar Joshi, some good years back, wanted them to relocate, but without giving them any other option of staying, so they have continued staying here. He also shared that they receive only 2 hours of water everyday and that is a big concern for the thousands staying there. It is unfortunate to see the condition people are staying, Who is to blame? These people or the government or both. And sometimes we do ask ourselves, Are we a developing country or far from it? History: The Mahim fort is in fact a fortress from the times of the British Raj, built in the year 1669 by the then Governor of Bombay, Gerard Aungier,in order to strengthen the British defense. Sir Thomas Grantham strengthened the fort rampants in 1684. Sir Thomas Grantham (bap. 1641 – 1718[1]) was an English tobacco trader and naval officer, commander of the naval fleet of the British East India Company. In 1684 he was sent to Bombay (now Mumbai) by the King of England to put down an insurrection led by the Company, who had set up a parallel government and assumed wide authority on the British people. After he landed in November 1684, he assumed control over the situation from Commander Keigwin and thus ending the standoff. In the year 1772, 111 years after Bombay was taken from them, the Portuguese attempted to attack this fort. The British replied with cannonballs, and the Bandra church had also to bear the brunt of this.
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