Korlai fort
| Korlai Fort | |
|---|---|
| Raigad district, Maharashtra | |
Ruins of the Portuguese church in Korlai
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 Korlai Fort
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| Coordinates | 18°32′9″N 72°54′29″E / 18.53583°N 72.90806°E |
| Type | Island fort |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Government of India |
| Controlled by |
Ahmadnagar (1521-1594)
 India (1947-) |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1521 |
| Built by | Dom Filipe Mascarenhas |
| Materials | Stone |
| Demolished | 1594 |
Ahmadnagar (1521-1594)
Portuguese Empire (1594)
Maratha Empire (1739-1818)
United Kingdom
Korlai Fort (also called Morro or Castle Curlew) is a Portuguese fortification in the town of Korlai,Maharashtra, India. It was built on an island (Morro de Chaul) which guards the way to the Revdanda Creek. It was meant as a companion to the fort at Chaul. At this strategic position the Portuguese could use it to defend their province which stretched from Korlai to Bassein. Vestiges of the Portuguese occupation are manifested in the distinct dialect of the Korlai villages inhabitants which is a Luso-Indian Portuguese Creole called Kristi.
This fort was built in 1521 by the Portuguese with the permission of the Ahmednagar sultanate. In 1521, taking advantage of the confusion in the aftermath of the death of the Burhan Nizam the Portuguese tried to take over the fort. However the sultan retaliated and sent some of his best men to reclaim the fort. Subsequently a truce was reached in which the Ahmednagar sultanate occupied the island and no further fortification of the island took place. Only a wooden cross remained on the island as a sign of its former rulers.
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