Korlai Fort
| Korlai Fort | |
|---|---|
Morro de Chaul | |
| Part of Portuguese India | |
| Raigad district, Maharashtra | |
Ruins of the Portuguese church in Korlai | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Island fort |
| Owner | Government of India |
| Controlled by | Ahmadnagar (1521-1594) Portugal (1594-1739) Maratha Empire (1739-1818) United Kingdom
|
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 18°32′9″N 72°54′29″E / 18.53583°N 72.90806°E |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1521 |
| Built by | Dom Filipe Mascarenhas |
| Materials | Stone |
| Demolished | 1594 |
Korlai Fort is a colonial fort in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. Formerly a part of Chaul in Portuguese India, the structure is a specimen of Portuguese colonial architecture. It was built as a companion to the fort at Chaul, at this strategic position the Portuguese could use it to defend their province which stretched from Korlai to the Fort Bassein. Vestiges of the Portuguese occupation are manifested in the distinct dialect of the Korlai villages inhabitants which is a Luso-Indian creole called Korlai Portuguese Creole.