Dharavi Fort - Fortress in Mumbai - Mumbai, India

A portion of the fort left and it's inside a maze of houses inside dharavi .just behind dharavi ( kala killa) depot. Almost entire place is encroached so if you want to go best is to reach depot and walk to behind the depot. Take any of the local kids to take you and back to same place else you will loose your way

KalaKilla kaalaakillaa KK Inauguration. 31.01.2016 Address. Bandra-Sion Link Road, Dharavi, Mumbai Bus Route No. 27, C-42, 46, 52, 66, 176, C-302, 352, 463, AC42Exp, C71Exp, C72Exp Bus Stations. KalaKilla Depot, Dharavi Depot, Bandra Rly Ter [E], Bandra Colony Bus Stn. Major Operations. Bandra (E), BKC, Sion, Cotton Green, Dharavi, Dadar (W), Ballard Pier, Mulund (W), Trombay, Mira Road Rly Stn (E), Bhayander Rly Station (E), Ferry Wharf, Matunga (W), Mahim (W) In 1737, Gerald Aungier, the governor of Mumbai, built this fort to keep an eye on the Portuguese island "Salshet" and Mithi River. Since the stone used for construction is black stone, the locals called it Kala killa, or Black fort. The forts of Mahim, Kala killa, Riwa and Sion fort strengthened the northern front of Mumbai. Dharavi is well known as one of the largest slums in the world. The slum was founded in 1880s in part because of the expulsion of factories and residents from the peninsular city center by the colonial government, and from the rural poor migrating into urban Mumbai (then called Bombay). But till then, Dharavi was just a marshy land at the coast of Mithi river (Mahim creek) that separated the British controlled Bombay island from Salsette island controlled by the Portuguese. In 1737, Salsette was captured by the Maratha Empire and most of the Portuguese provinces in Bombay were ceded to the Marathas (ref). Perhaps in response to that, John Horne, the governor of Bombay commissioned to build a fort at Dharavi to protect the border of Bombay from the mighty sea-faring leader of the Marathas - Kanhoji Angre. The fort is variously called as Riwa Fort, Rewah Fort or simply Kala Killa. The fort lies hidden in the slums opposite Mahim Nature Park and behind Dharavi Bus Depot, and is accessible from a lane next to the depot and into a small lane beside the main gate of Dattaguru Housing Soceity that leads into the slums The coast of Mithi river used to extend eastward from Rewa fort to Sion fort, and between these two forts they guarded the only entry point to Bombay island - the Sion Causeway (read more about Sion Fort). To the west was Mahim Fort on Bombay island and the Portuguese-built Bandra Fort on Salsette The access road to the fort is an almost invisible small gap between the boundary wall of Dattaguru Soceity and the slums. No other way to get there but by foot - and I had to carry my cycle down and make my way through it till I emerged out into a small clearing to see the wall of one of the fort's bastions, and some of the residents lounging around enjoying their Sunday morning Luckily the fort ramparts are by and large in tact, and though the slum has eaten up all the open space around it, the fort itself is still free from encroachment - unlike Mahim fort that is completely overridden by the slums I met with Lakshman Zanke, who has been living here for over 50 years and has seen the fort when the river still flowed next to it, and he remembers jumping into the water from the walls of the fort. He claims that his family has been protecting the fort from encroachment and he has applied for funds for renovation and protection of the fort... commendable! Just above the bench where Lakshman Zanke was sitting, a plaque on the fort wall proclaims its origin- "Built by Order of the Honorable Horn Esq. President and Governor of Bombay in 1737" it says, and signed by some Engineer. John Horne served as the 19th governor of Bombay. Fascinating Spots :This fort is currently a victim of encroachment, as other forts in Mumbai are. In the remnants we can see the ramparts on the front side and a stone inscription indicating that the fort was built in 1737. There is no way to the fort; one has to climb the 8 feet tall wall to reach inside. There we can see the entrance, stairs and "Fanji". The fort interiors are in a bad plight and garbage resides within. Ways To Reach :The fort is on Sion west side. If we walk for around 10 minutes on the Sion-Bandra link road, on the right side is the Kala killa lane. The fort is at the end of this lane.

All fort is covered by people's home you can find the entry point from top of house

Dharavi fort also known as Kala Killa holds significant role in Mumbai's history. It was built by British to protect northern boundary of Mumbai islands that time. From this fort one can keep check on trade route through mithi river. Current condition of the fort is very bad. ASI not paying much attention than declaring it monument. The place surrounded by encroachments. No proper way to enter the fort. Nowhere mention the history, wars occurred around this fort. Very tricky to reach here as the road passes through slums and in front of many houses. Ladder to climb is road to someone's room. If anyone wants visit, ask local people of entrance & they helps.

Another fort that faces sad situation like mahim fort. Historical monument is now surrounded by illegal hutments. The fort has no entry doors, one has to put external ladder or rope to enter the fort. Government is least bothered to take care of these historical monuments of the city

one of the oldest fort, still available in side heart of Mumbai this one located in such a place, anyone can visit easily on travelling to any place, as this place passes by them. also, a remembrance of the old structure to see and inside the centre of Mumbai near sion

Great fort but it remains full with lot of tharki locals. Couples beware. If you want to photoshoot,its a right choice. One can see fantastic view of sion from dis fort.

This fort is located in the Western part of Sion, Mumbai / in the eastern part of Mahim, Mumbai Sion, Kurla, Matunga- (CR) & Mahim (WR) are the nearby Railway Stations to this fort Closest Railway Stations are Sion & Mahim to this fort compared to Kurla & Matunga Railway Stations