Goa has a long history of strife and aggression by foreign troops. Being the first destination for European Traders, Goa had to bear the brunt of European colonialist ambition. No wonder there are quite a few forts in this part of the country. Today these forts are not very strategically important in the present military perspective. These forts have, however, become some of the finest tourist attraction of Goa. If you compare the forts that you find in other parts of India with the forts that you will see in Goa, the forts are small in size. Never the less these structures have immense importance in the military, political and economic conditions of the time.
These battle hardened monuments of victories and defeats stand mute testament to the struggle of the people of Goa and the hardship they had to suffer on the face of foreign aggression. While some fort inspires awe by its sheer magnitude like the Tower of St Augustine, others are extremely beautiful in terms of architectural excellence like the Gate of Adil Shah's Palace at Old Goa. If you are a bit adventurous, then make some time for yourself to visit the coastal regions of Goa dotted with small forts. These forts are no more in use and some are in ruins but there are also many forts that are in pretty good conditions and are worth a visit.
The forts of Goa continue amaze us with its architectural excellence and the skill of the people who built it. People wonder even to this day how the huge rocks were lifted to the top on inaccessible hilltops to built forts. Without cement, mortar or steel, these structures have withstood the ravages of time. The sheer weight of the structure has kept it steady. With the necessity of new forts to preserve their new acquisitions, a number of forts were built in Goa. |
