Ghodbunder Fort

EFFORTS TOWARDS CONSERVATION OF GHODBUNDER FORT

The fort built by the in the 15th century has a significant location with respect to its proximity to Ulhas river along with the other forts like Janjire Dharavi and Vasai fort. Black basalt stone walls of the granary and battery storage rooms, with a bastion on the hilltop are the key features of the fort. Though it has a strong backbone of Maratha rule, the fort was just a mere outpost and the foothill was used for trading of horses.

Though the fort was more like a secondary fort back then but it holds now a place of belonging for the people of the nearby Ghodbunder village. Once a place of intimidation because of its degeneration, the fort was just another place with stories and rumours threaded together by the community. Older generations with historical narration’s had an enthusiasm sensed with pride when we interacted with them. On the contrary, the recent generations usually associate the space with hideouts or a weekend game.

The studio builds a proposal connecting the two dots to interweave a much larger urban restoration. This urban restoration intends to create a fort blueprint for all that is lost in the chaos of development.

The fort scape is imagined to regenerate those community associations through the lens of heritage conservation. The efforts towards the conservation aims to give back to the community not only a piece of history but a space that makes them engage with. A sustainable approach towards heritage urbanism allows the community to take charge and make it a fragment of their future stories.

Ar. Sapna Lakhe & Ar. Shwetambari Shinde
Principal Partners
SANKRAMAN Design Studio

Photos