Terekhol Fort

**Fort Terekhol: A History of Conflict & Freedom** Built in the 17th Century by Maharaj Khem Sawant Bhonsle of Sawantwadi to monitor the Portuguese. **Key Dates & Events:** * **1746:** Portuguese take over and renovate the fort, adding churches and capsule-shaped bastions (Portuguese architecture). * **1794 (Briefly):** Marathas gain possession, but Portuguese quickly recapture. * **1835:** Bernardo Peres da Silva, ex-Governor of Goa, led an unsuccessful revolt from this fort against the Portuguese. * **Aug 15, 1954:** Goa Liberation Movement freedom fighters, led by Alfred Alphonso, occupied the fort for one day. * **Aug 15, 1955:** Hirve Guruji (Tulshiram Balkrishna Hirve) of Panvel and Sheshnath Wadekar, plus 127 unarmed workers, held a Satyagraha. Both leaders were martyred by Portuguese firing. A memorial is nearby. * **1961:** Goa achieves independence. * **Dec 9, 1976:** Converted into a heritage resort.

Fact: Goa renovated the fort into a five-star hotel, modifying the original structure. Enter via the South entrance to see the historic Portuguese Saint Anthony's church. Note: The church is usually closed to the public. Behind it, climb up to the Portuguese-style capsule-shaped bastion. Due to the resort, viewing the remnants takes less time.