ASI Goa to restore Aguada fort’s underground water tank

Panaji: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Goa circle is set to undertake the restoration of the historic underground water storage chamber at the Aguada fort.
“Aguada fort is famous for underground water storage where several thousands of gallons of water were stored. The ASI will take up the work to restore the tank,” superintending archaeologist holding additional charge of ASI Goa circle Abhijit Ambekar told TOI.
Once restored, the tank is expected to offer insights into the lesser-known utilitarian aspects of Goa’s heritage architecture to tourists and scholars, showcasing how water management was integrated into military fortification 400 years ago. “The underground water storage system at Aguada fort is an engineering marvel of its time,” said the superintending archaeologist. “Our focus now is to restore this unique heritage structure.”
Perched strategically on the edge of the Mandovi where it meets the Arabian Sea, the 17th-century fort is believed to have been constructed in 1612 CE. The fort derives its name from the Portuguese word ‘agua’, meaning water.
Maritime Heritage of India, penned by the Indian Navy, mentions that “the fort was named Aguada because of the abundant springs around it”.
“The fort was built overlooking the Arabian Sea, to guard against invaders. It acted as a marker for ships travelling from other nations,” it states in the Maritime Heritage of India. These natural springs were therefore central to the fort’s location, for the underground chambers were engineered to store thousands of gallons of freshwater for Portuguese ships navigating the high seas.
Vessels, often on long voyages across the Indian Ocean, would anchor at Aguada to replenish their dwindling water supplies, making the fort a vital watering station for maritime trade and military operations.