Ponda Fort

Ponda Fort, also known as Farmagudi Fort or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Fort, is a historic hill fort located in Farmagudi near Ponda, Goa. Originally built in 1546 by the Muslim forces of Adil Shah using laterite stone and mud, it served as a strategic defense against the Portuguese. The present structure is a modern reconstruction renovated in 1977 by the Indian government and converted into a public park with a statue of Shivaji.

Visitors can explore a reconstructed hilltop fort surrounded by a landscaped park. The site features red-painted plastered walls made of stone and concrete, differing from the original bare mud and stone construction. From the top, visitors can obtain panoramic views of the surrounding area, particularly during sunset. The premises include a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and open green spaces suitable for walking and photography.

Built in 1546 by the Adil Shahi Kingdom to defend against Portuguese expansion. Shivaji led a failed raid in 1665 but successfully captured the fort in 1675. It remained under Maratha control through various conflicts until being ceded to the Portuguese in 1783 as part of the Novas Conquistas. After Goa's liberation in 1961, the Indian government took control and renovated the site in 1977.

The fort serves as a symbol of Maratha heritage in Goa, commemorated by the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj installed during the 1977 renovation. It represents the historical transition of power between the Adil Shahi Sultanate, Maratha Empire, Portuguese colonial rule, and independent India in the Ponda region.