BANDRA FORT: Castella de Aguada

Conservation of cultural heritage is essential because it provides us with greater understanding of our identity, of continuity, of the human condition and of our place in the world and in time (Randall mason, Erica Avrami). Values are the most significant aspect in the heritage conservation. In the field of cultural heritage conservation, values are critical to deciding what to conserve, how to conserve and what would be the best that will represent us and our past to future generations.

Conservation decision depends on different and divergent values that needed to be considered like the artistic and aesthetic values of an old building, as well as the historical values of its associations, plus the economic values tied up in its use, environmental values to the ecosystem as well as social, cultural, religious and political values to different stakeholders associated to it. Thus, these different ways of valuing in turn lead to different approaches to preserving heritage.

Forts have been always fascinated to me. The walls of the forts whether standing still or ruined speak a lot. Thus it connects you to the space and the history as well. Forts were built by various rulers with various scales, styles of construction, architecture and for various purposes on various locations. Forts those were built along the seashores were mainly used for security and defense purpose. Mumbai is made up of 7 islands, and was separated from main land due to Mahim creek. This was an important trade route, and the Mahim fort was built to safeguard it. The Portuguese in 1640 built Bandra fort near today’s Bandra reclamation (formerly a part of Salsette island) as a watchtower overlooking Mahim Bay, the Arabian Sea and the southern island of Mahim & to make this region more safe. The Portuguese built this strategically located fort as an outpost, marking the southernmost tip of the mainland. Fresh water springs located close to the fort served as a potable water point when they sailed across. They exist to this day, but now serve an entirely different group of people i.e. the local fishermen (As per the plaque placed inside the fort). This shows how the different values are attached to it such as Political value to the defenders of the land at that time, Environmental value as it served as a source of fresh water then till today and Historical value of it today for the city and its people as a landmark of various events. Forts had been very crucial structures earlier due to the functions and benefits associated with it but over the period of time the values attached to any structure may get changed, altered or added depending upon the society. Thus it depend on the values people draw from them, the functions heritage objects serve for society, the uses to which heritage is put, are the real source of the meaning of heritage.

The plaque placed inside the fort premises. (Source: Author)

Walking down along the Bandstand on the very active B. J. Road, one could find numerous eateries offering variety of street food with glimpse of Sea in between. As soon as you come near hotel Taj Lands End you could see the tip of the massive structure of Bandra- Worli Sea Link: the urban spectacle, which seems very attractive and it pulls you towards it.

Among all the forts I have visited till now, Bandra Fort exhibits a very unique character. It appears as a very famous ‘Public Space’ than just a ‘Tourist Place’ unlike other forts. The interrelationship between time and space is so closely knit that clearly shows the difference in each of these with respect to other. The forts that were once built for defense in due course of time have changed its purpose of serving to the society. Transition from a very rigid and disciplinary space to a casual hangout place is very interesting factor associated to it. This can be evidently seen through today’s scenario in the form of space occupation and its use by the people. The earlier Political value of the space have totally transformed into the Heritage and Social value as it has turned out to be one of the prominent public spaces in the city today. I frequently visit the place and every time I go I find few interesting activities such as Bollywood movie shoots, pre-wedding photo shoots, various shows at Amphitheatre and sometimes an artist showing his skills on guitar and singing with a passion that could create a large crowd standing around him and appreciate.

Eateries along the BJ Road. (Source: Author)

Road along Hotel Taj Lands End leading to the fort and the tip of the Sea link at the background. (Source: Author)

The Cultural significance and Social values then become crucial as it defines why an object or place is meaningful, to whom, for whom it is conserved, the impact of interventions on how it is understood or perceived, etc. “Heritage is never merely conserved or protected; it is modified both enhanced and degraded by each new generation” (David Lowenthal). The modifications can be clearly seen on site to accommodate the modified purpose. Addition of gardens, seating areas, and Amphitheatre is inevitable when it has to serve the society as a public space to sit, eat, chit-chat and hangout. That is how Values and valuing processes are threaded through the various spheres of conservation plays an enormous role, whether works of art or buildings, the products of material culture have different meanings and uses for different individuals and communities. The various values always give significance over other aspects and thereby transform some objects and places into “heritage’’. The ultimate aim of conservation is to maintain (and shape) the values embodied by the place through physical interventions or treatment. Thus it is necessary to examine why and how heritage is valued, and by whom.

Amphitheatre: creating platform for various activities. (Source: Author)

Seating provided along the slope.

(Source: Author)

The small gate along with few food stalls allows you to enter inside the premises and then the view of the fort remains along with the Sea link and large expanse of the Arabian Sea with strong breezes blows your mind. The new layer recently added to this space in the form of Bandra-Worli sea link which is the ‘’Iconic’’ structure of the city runs just next to the fort in the Mahim bay and offers eye catching view of it from the fort. Creating a unique blend of old and new, this element succeeded to draw not only a large amount of people throughout the city but also Bollywood film-makers to this place for filming. This eventually ended up by giving new values to this space such as Associational value because of certain recognition and Economic value in the form of revenues and various food/snack stalls that lined up and other hawking businesses to serve the increased visitors.

The food stalls near the entry.

(Source: Author)

Viw after entering inside. (Source: Author)

The tiny entrance leads to the small open area with stone fencing always reminds me of famous song of one of the movies shot here. The fort has the few steps leading to top which allows a dramatic view of the premises. You could find people sitting on the edges along the steps which are the best spots where one can get magnificent view of the Sea link. I visited the fort at the time of low tide and I could see a large amount of folks got down on the rocks to get nearer to the sea and spending time sitting there.

                                                                       

Entry leading to small open area inside. (Source: Author)

Steps inside with entrance and view of the Sea link at the background. (Source: Wikipedia)

People seating on the rocks during low tide. (source: Author)

 The open area inside with people enjoying the view (Source: Author)

People seating along the steps and Hotel Taj Lands End at the background. (Source: Author)

Cultural significance is the term that defines the multiple values ascribed to objects, buildings, or landscapes. Thus Conservation does not become objective; it is biased by the values and perspectives of various individuals and interest groups. This can be understood by stakeholders’ values, which define their goals and motivate their actions, provides critical insight for the long-term, strategic management of heritage resources by both the private and the public sectors. The residents of this area, meanwhile, have fought hard and long to reclaim this area, which is now maintained by the Bandra Bandstand Residents Trust (BBRT). As they have mentioned that they have taken up the maintenance of the fort for last 15 years as well as they don’t want to close this chapter of the history and make it available for future generations (The Indian Express). This clearly illustrates that the values of individuals and communities be they conservators, anthropologists, ethnic groups, politicians, or otherwise shapes all conservation and in the conservation process, these values, as represented in the object or place, are not simply “preserved” but are, rather, modified. The meaning of the object or place is redefined, and new values are sometimes created.

The board placed inside by BBRT. (Source: Author)

Cultural heritage thus become important because of the meanings and uses that people attach to these material goods and the values they represent. These meanings, uses, and values must be understood as part of the larger sphere of sociocultural processes and as society changes the role of conservation and the opportunities for conservation to shape and support civil society also changes.

The splendid view of the Sea link. (Source: Author)

Address: Bandstand Road, Mt Mary, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050,
India

Timings: All days of the week 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Visiting Duration: Between 30minutes to 1 hour

Entry Fee: no entry fees

How To reach: Take a train to Bandra West then taxi or auto rickshaw to Taj Lands

End hotel or Bandra fort By Bus station: Father Agnel Ashram

Bibliography :

Randall mason, Erica Avrami. (May, 2000). Heritage values and challenges in conservation planning. (International workshop on Management planning for archeological sites)

David Lowenthal, (2000), Chapter: Stewarding the Past in a Perplexing Present. Book: Values and Heritage Conservation Research Report, The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles.


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