Fort Anjediva

Karnataka, India

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Fort Anjediva is a historic Portuguese fort built in 1505 on Anjediva Island, which lies off the coast of Karnataka but is administratively part of Goa.

The fort was constructed by Dom Francisco de Almeida, the first Portuguese Viceroy of India, as a strategic military base to control the sea route and protect Portuguese interests in the region. The materials for the fort were supplied by local inhabitants, and parts of an ancient temple on the island are said to have been dismantled to provide stone.

The fort was built with strong walls made of clay and stone on rocky terrain, featuring towers and fortifications to defend against enemy attacks. It played a key role in several military battles involving regional powers like the Bijapur Sultanate and was a refuge for Christians and Hindus during invasions. The fort was abandoned multiple times, finally after 1843, but was refurbished briefly in the late 17th century. It became part of India in 1961 during Operation Vijay, when Portuguese colonial rule ended.

Today, Fort Anjediva is in ruins, with remnants of two churches—Our Lady of Springs and St. Francis D’Assissi—still visible. The island is now controlled by the Indian Navy as a naval base, making public access restricted. Despite its ruined state, the fort reflects a blend of medieval military architecture and colonial history important to the region.