The fort was originally built by the Portuguese in 1550.
The Marathas under Chimaji Appa seized the fort from the Portuguese in 1737.
It served as a key trade hub for Arabian horses brought into India by sea.
The interior chapel remains the most preserved section of the original Portuguese architecture.
The site was once part of a larger defensive network designed to protect the island of Salsette.
Ghodbunder Fort is a 16th-century Portuguese fortification situated on a hillock overlooking the Ulhas River. The name Ghodbunder derives from the Marathi words for horse (ghod) and port (bunder), reflecting its historical use as a center for the horse trade. The structure served as a strategic military outpost to control maritime traffic in the Vasai Creek area. Following the Portuguese era, the fort was captured by the Maratha Empire in 1737. It features remnants of Portuguese architectural motifs, including vaulted ceilings and arched doorways. The site currently remains in a state of ruin with exposed masonry and weathered stone walls. It offers elevated views of the surrounding wetlands and the creek. The fort complex contains a small, functioning chapel dating back to the colonial period.
The elevated vantage point at the edge of the fort walls looking out toward the river and the creek bridge.
Wear sturdy trekking footwear as the approach path is uneven and rocky.
Carry sufficient drinking water as there are no facilities available within the fort grounds.
Visit during daylight hours only, as the area lacks artificial lighting and security at night.
Avoid climbing on the unstable, crumbling stone walls to prevent injury and further structural damage.
