English
Fort
Tiracol [Terekhol], Goa, India
Military Architecture
The Tiracol Fort is located on the north bank of the river of the same name and constitutes the northern limit of Goan territory, in an area strongly influenced by the neighbouring state of Maharashtra. It was captured in 1746 from the Maratha Bhonsle dynasty pertaining to the Kingdom of Sawantvadi by the Viceroy Marquis of Castelo Novo, at a time when Goa was expanding its territory. The Fort was the setting for rebellions and skirmishes up to the early 20th century. It has now been converted into a hotel. This rectangular fort overlooks the river and is aligned east-west. The north wall has two scissor-shaped bastions; the south flank also has two bastions as well as a two-floor structure along its entire length. A couraça stretches from that curtain toward the river and to a small round bastion. Two small turrets also back up to the structure on the south side. The couraça that follows the slope contains a staircase leading to the riverside bastion. The fort’s main entrance is situated on the east flank and opens to a yard. The entire west side of that yard is occupied by Saint Anthony’s Church. This religious structure presents an eclectically designed main façade dating to the early 19th century but with later interventions. The façade’s second level, flanking the window over the main entrance, contains sculpted relief images of Saint Sebastian and Saint Francis Xavier. Crowning the composition between the false bell towers is a niche, probably for the image of Saint Anthony. The niche is flanked by reliefs with figures of cherubim and other religious symbols. A statue of Christ the King stands on a pedestal bearing the date 1953 in the yard by the fort’s entrance. The Tiracol Fort became significant again in the last years of the Portuguese presence in India when it was attacked by forces of the anti-colonial movement. Several restoration efforts and sufficient accommodations to receive an effective garrison probably date to the 1950s. Various changes have probably been made to the structure’s interior spaces since its recent transformation into a hotel. The ensemble and exterior appearance nevertheless maintain the essential characteristics of the Portuguese period.