English
Fortified Palace
Ghodbandar, Mumbai Metropolitan Area (Bombay), India
Housing
A notable palatial house complex’s ruins still stand in Ghodbandar, with the main building arranged around a large patio with three bodies closing off the north, east and south sides. The principal body on the east side had two floors and an arcade over the main entrance. An irrigation tank was situated a few metres north of the house; continuing north toward the river various terraces led to the property’s dock area, where some smaller constructions were located. A wall surrounded the entire property. We do not know if this perimeter had any fortification or artillery; it was, however, strong enough to withstand an attack by the Maratha King Shivaji in 1672. In 2008 an intervention by the Maharashtra State Tourism Ministry transformed the house’s ruins into a small hotel used by film production teams.