Belapur Fort is an ancient hill fort that is located in Belapur Township in Navi Mumbai in the state of Maharashtra. The structure has an elevation of almost 89 ft (27 m). It was built in 1560 by the Siddis of Janjira. Later it was occupied by the Portuguese and then by the army of Maratha Empire. Eventually the structure was conquered by the British East India Company during the early 19th century. The strategic significance of Belapur Fort reduced to a great extent after the East India Company achieved political supremacy in the region and also after the development of the Bombay Presidency.
History of Belapur Fort
The construction of Belapur Fort began in the year 1560 and ended in 1570. It was built by the Siddis of Janjira after they seized control of the region from the Portuguese. It is located near the mouth of the Panvel Creek. Later the Portuguese forces again occupied the fort in 1682. However in 1733, the forces of the Maratha Empire, under the leadership of Chimnaji Appa, took over the fort and the region by defeating the Portuguese. He had made a vow that if it was successfully recaptured from the Portuguese, he would place a garland of beli leaves in the Amruthaishwar temple. After the victory the fort was christened as Belapur Fort. The Maratha Empire reigned over the region of Belapur till June 1817. Afterwards, the territory and the fort were occupied by the army of the British East India Company, under the command of Captain Charles Gray. The British forces dismantled and demolished the structure to some extent because of their military policy of destroying any Maratha stronghold. The British partially destroyed the fort. A tunnel is also supposed to exist, which according to locals, connects it to Gharapuri Island, the site of the Elephanta Caves.
