State directorate of museums and archaeology says it is working to seek permissions and funds from govt
The city may soon have a new attraction for tourists and history buffs. The state authorities are planning to develop a museum at the Sewri Fort to house antiquities found from Mumbai.
“We intend to develop a museum at the Sewri Fort. Its administrative feasibility is being explored,” said a source from the state directorate of museums and archaeology. He said they were in the process of seeking permissions and funds from the state government.
“Estimates are being prepared. The wall at the rear end of the fort will be reconstructed to protect the heritage. The structures inside the fort will be recreated and secured to serve as a museum and display centre. This can be used to house antiquities found in and around Mumbai,” said an official from the state department of culture.
This proposed museum can also house British-era cannons found in the Mumbai- Thane region.
“The museum can also house displays on the history of Mumbai and its evolution, its military history,” he said.
Though the state has 13 museums at Nagpur, Sindkhedraja, Mahur, Ter, Aurangabad, Kolhapur (2), Sangli, Aundh (Satara district), Nashik, Thiba Palace (Ratnagiri), Paithan and Satara, it has no such institution to display antiquities in Mumbai.
The Sewri Fort is a state protected monument and the BMC has been given permission to instal lighting and night illumination, subject to some terms and conditions.
Constructed by the British on the island of Sewri in 1680 to protect the eastern sea-front of Mumbai, the fort was captured by the Siddhi of Habsan, Yakut Khan, in February 1689. The Siddhis were allies of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
The fort was reconstructed by the British and repulsed an attack by the Portuguese in 1772.
FORTIFYING SEWRI
- The fort was built by the British on the island of Sewri in 1680 to protect Bombay’s eastern sea-front.
- In 1818, after British-Maratha wars, the strategic importance of the fort declined. It was used as a prison, then as a godown for the Mumbai port trust.
- The BMC has now been given permission to instal lighting at the state-protected monument.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Sewri Fort")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}