Corjuem Fort

Overview

Fort Assunção or Corjuem Fort was built in 1550 and was originally the property of the Bhonsle rulers of Sawantwadi. However, in the time of Viceroy Caetano de Mello e Castro, the fort was annexed to the Portuguese administration of Goa. The colonists rebuilt the fort in 1705 to boost their defences of Panaji, which had by then become the capital city. Although small, the fort had great strategic importance. During the 18th century, it held off Maratha invasions by Rane Rajput and the Bhonsles. In the early 1800’s the fort was used as a military school. It was armed with a small battalion of four guns and it defended the town of Corjuem.

Highlights

• The fort is constructed of laterite stone

• Built in a square shape, it has bastions at each of the four corners with embrasures for cannons

• The walls are wide and have multiple gun ports and/or murder holes

• At each corner of the fort is a ramp-like stair which can be mounted so that one can walk around the ramparts

• There is also a well, living quarters for the defenders and a chapel dedicated to St. Anthony

• The fort s best visited in the cooler hours of the morning and evening rather than during the afternoon heat