Madh Fort

Maharashtra, India

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Madh Fort, also known as Versova Fort, is a small coastal fort on Madh Island in northern Mumbai, Maharashtra, built by the Portuguese in the early 17th century as a watchtower to guard the Marve–Versova creek and the Salsette coastline.

The fort is long and narrow, with a distinctive seven-sided polygonal structure, bastions at each corner and a large circular bastion in the middle, and though its interior is dilapidated, its outer walls and fortifications are well preserved and still stand intact. Madh Fort was captured by the Maratha Empire under Chimaji Appa in 1739 during the Vasai campaign, later came under British control in 1774, was used as a military centre and training base until 1818.

After independence has been under the supervision of the Indian Air Force and Navy, making the interior closed to the general public but allowing external viewing and use for film and television shoots such as parts of “Mard,” “Love Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega” and episodes of “CID”.

The fort is located about 15 km west of Malad, can be reached by BEST bus 271 from Malad West to Madh village or by ferry from Versova across the creek, and sits near Aksa Beach, Dana Pani beach and local fishing communities, offering scenic views of the coastline, Marve creek, and the Mumbai skyline from the fort’s ramparts, even though visitors cannot enter the fort without special permission.