Bankot Fort

Bankot Fort, also known as Himmatgad or Fort Victoria, is a historic coastal fort located in Bankot village, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. Situated at the mouth of the Savitri River where it meets the Arabian Sea, the fort was strategically built to guard medieval trade routes along the river. The square-shaped laterite structure features moats, bastions, and tunnels, reflecting its military significance under Portuguese, Maratha, and British rule. It remains an important heritage site overlooking Bankot Creek.

Visitors can explore a square-shaped laterite fort surrounded by dry moats with two main gates and vestigial bastions. The northern entrance features stone carvings and a Ganeshpatti, while steps lead to the Nagarkhana offering views of the Savitri River. Remnants of underground storeys, tunnels, and a graveyard with vertical pillar headstones are visible within the fortifications. Access involves crossing Bankot Creek via ferry from Bagmandala or trekking up a wide road from Bankot village.

First recorded by Greek geographer Ptolemy in the 1st century AD as Mandagora. Captured by Portuguese from Adil Shah in 1548, won by Maratha Admiral Kanhoji Angre in 1700 and renamed Himmatgad. Surrendered to British Commodore James in 1755 and renamed Fort Victoria; served as first British residency in Southern Konkan before being handed back to Peshwas.

Site associated with Chinese traveler Hieun Tsang's supposed embarkation in 640 AD. Contains a graveyard with distinctive vertical pillar headstones and marble inscriptions. Nearby Velas village houses temples built by Nana Phadnis and Moroba Dada Phadnis, linking the fort to prominent Maratha administrative figures.