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{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}

{{infobox building
| name = Sewri Fort
| native_name= शिवडी किल्ला
| image = Sewri fort courtyard.jpg
| caption = Sewri Fort
| former_names =
| map_type = Mumbai
| coordinates = {{coord|19.000635|72.860363|display=inline}}
| altitude = {{convert|60|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| building_type = Fort
| architectural_style =
| structural_system =
| cost =
| location = [[Sewree]], [[Mumbai]]
| address =
| client = British
| owner = Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra
| current_tenants =
| landlord =
| start_date =
| completion_date = 1680
| inauguration_date =
| demolition_date =
| destruction_date =
| height =
| diameter =
| other_dimensions =
| floor_count =
| floor_area =
| main_contractor =
| architect =
| structural_engineer =
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| references =
}}

The '''Sewri Fort''' (also spelled '''Sewree Fort''') (Marathi: {{lang|mr|शिवडी किल्ला}}) is a fort in Mumbai built by the British at [[Sewri]]. Built in 1680, fort served as a watch tower, atop a quarried hill overlooking the [[Mumbai harbour]].<ref name="ht">{{cite news|title=Fortifying Mumbai Tourism|date=16 January 2006|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|publisher=[[HT Media Ltd]]|pages=2}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|History of Mumbai}}
Up to the eighteenth century, Mumbai consisted of several small islands. In 1661, seven of these islands were ceded by the Portuguese to the British as part of the dowry of [[Charles II of England]]. The harbour proved eminently opposite, and the British planned to shift base from [[Surat]] to [[Mumbai]]. The [[Siddis]], who were of African descent and noted for their navies, had allied themselves with the [[Mughal dynasty|Mughals]]. The British, under the [[East India Company]] and the Mughals were constantly waged war on each other. As allies of the Mughals, the Siddis also declared the British as enemies.<ref name="ht" />

Faced with relentless attacks by the Siddis in 1672, several fortifications were constructed in Mumbai, and in 1680 the Sewri fort was complete. It stood on the island of Parel, on a hill overlooking the eastern seaboard and Indian mainland. It had a garrison of 50 sepoys and was managed by a [[subedar]]. It was also armed with eight to ten cannons.<ref name="ht" />

In 1689, the Siddi general, [[Yadi Sakat]], with an army of 20,000 men, invaded Mumbai. The fleet first captured the Sewri fort, then the [[Mazagon Fort]], before sacking the town of [[Mahim]].<ref name="iexpress">{{cite news|url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=47106|title=Mazgaon fort was blown to pieces – 313 years ago|last=Nandgaonkar|first=Satish|date=22 March 2003|work=[[Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Express Group]]|access-date=20 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030412025617/http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=47106|archive-date=12 April 2003|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The fort was also later involved in a battle that repelled a Portuguese attack in 1772.<ref name="ht" />

After the decline of the regional powers, the fort was subsequently used to house prisoners. It was later converted as a [[Bombay Port Trust]] godown.<ref name="ht" />

==Architecture==
The fort was built primarily for defence, and embellishments are absent. It is bordered by high stone walls, including an inner ring for added protection. It is landlocked on three sides, and sits atop of sheer cliff of about {{convert|60|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. The entrance is a stone doorway that leads into a courtyard. To prevent a frontal assault from the main entrance, the inner entrances were placed perpendicular to the main entrances.<ref name="mirror">{{cite news|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=79&contentid=200711062007110619334765693d79252|title=Sewri Fort|date=7 November 2007|work=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|publisher=[[Times Group]]|access-date=20 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024183614/http://mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?Page=article|archive-date=24 October 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Architectural highlights include pentagonal room along with a long domed corridor, and linear vaulted structures.<ref name="ht" />

==Conservation==
The fort is currently owned by [[Maharashtra]] state's Department of Archaeology and Museums. It is classified as a [[Grade I]] heritage structure, and efforts are underway under Phase I of Mumbai Fort Circuit Project to restore it.<ref name="hindu">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200806051002.htm|title=Bandra, Sewri forts to get face-lift|date=5 June 2008|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=20 September 2008}}</ref>

The restoration involves the creation of two zones. Zone I includes the immediate fort area. The crumbling walls are to be repaired, debris cleared off, roofs rebuilt, steps fixed and a garden created in the complex. A museum is also to be constructed. Zone II renovation consists of the surrounding areas that belong to the [[Mumbai Port Trust]]. In this, a sea-facing promenade is to be created that links the fort to the waterfront, along with the creation of a landscaped garden, food court, and amphitheatre. The total cost for this project in 2008 is estimated to be {{INRConvert|36.5|m|-3}}.<ref name="iex2">{{cite news|url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=229980|title=Soon, amphitheatre, promenade in Sewri fort|last=Rangnekar|first=Prashant|date=3 April 2007|work=[[Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Express Group]]|access-date=20 September 2008}}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The strategic location of the fort would also promote [[ornithology]] as the area overlooks the Sewree mudflats, that are frequented by migratory birds, particularly the [[lesser flamingo]]es.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Flamingoes Sewri.jpg
File:Sewri fort wall.jpg
File:Sewri fort roof.jpg
File:Sewri fort stairs.jpg
File:Sewri for inside.jpg
File:Sewri fort courtyard.jpg
File:Sewri fort 3.jpg
File:Sewri fort 2.jpg
File:Sewri Fort ruins.jpg
File:Sewri fort bay view.jpg
File:Sewree fort exterior.jpg
File:Sewree fort passage.jpg
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Image:Bombay map 18c.jpg|thumb|Old map of the region (post 1805).]]
* [[History of Mumbai]]
* [[List of forts in Maharashtra]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Forts around Mumbai}}
{{Forts in India}}

[[Category:Archaeological sites in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:History of Mumbai]]

Sewri Fort - Revision history

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