200-year-old artefacts unearthed at Alorna fort

PANAJI: The restoration of the 17th century Alorna fort, slated to be completed in a week’s time, has revealed an interesting array of almost 200-year-old pottery and artefacts from across six nations.
“While clearing the debris inside the fort, we found pottery and glass objects from Germany, England, Persian, China, Portugal and the Netherlands. These could be evidence of trade relations between Portuguese India and these countries,” assistant superintending archaeologist of the department of archaeology, Varad Sabnis, said.
The department now plans to set up an information gallery inside the fort where these pieces will be displayed.The gallery will also have expert guides who will narrate the fort’s history, the strategic importance of its location and the process of its restoration.
However, the restored fort will be opened to the public only after the Lok Sabha elections are held, officials said. The department is also currently tabulating an entry fee for visitors, with seperate fares for adults and students.
Department officials said that sketches of the fort documented by the Portuguese traveller Lopes Mendes in the 19th century, came in handy during the work. “The entrance gateway and a bastion which had collapsed have been restored. People can soon see the fort in its original condition in a cleaned surrounding,” Sabnis said.
The fort, which stands on the banks of the scenic Chapora river was built by the Bhonsales of Sawantwadi. The Portuguese seized control on it when Marquis of Castello Novo captured it in 1746.