Cavity found at Ghodbunder Fort
The structure is being restored; newly-found chamber will offer insights
A hidden chamber has been found at the entrance of Ghodbunder Fort during the ongoing conservation and restoration work. Measuring 3.3mt x 3.3mt, the chamber starts at a wafer-thin depth of 0.5mt and has a semi-circular and flat arch on the north and east walls, respectively.
While its interior walls are coated with a layer of lime plaster, the space beneath the arches are filled with rubble stone. Notably, the structure bears a striking resemblance to the existing northeast room on the garden side, suggesting a possible expansion or a tunnel gateway with replication of architectural styles within the fort.
Architect Sapna Lakhe of Sankraman Design Studio, which has been roped in to conduct the restoration work, said that the site was barricaded to prevent any kind of potential damage. She added, “We informed the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) while recommending immediate documentation and preservation of the finding with detailed archaeological analysis. which could provide valuable insight into the construction techniques and architectural styles used during the historic era.”
City engineer Deepak Khambit said, “The assistant director of the state archaeology and museum department (Ratnagiri division) has given us a nod to appoint a proficient individual/ student well versed in the field of history, culture and archaeology to further investigate this discovery.”
Architect Shwetambari Shinde said that the presence of lime plaster and rubble stone indicates specific construction practices that can help them better understand the fort’s historical development.