H@R 131/365 Vasai Fort Thane District, Maharashtra

H@R 131/365

Vasai Fort Thane District, Maharashtra

Fort Bassein, now referred to as Vasai Fort, was built in 1532 CE by the then Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah and is situated in village Vasai. Though initially, it belonged to the Arab Sultanate of Cambay, later it came under the control of the Portuguese. However, the Marathas took over the fort in 1739. The fort is currently in ruins. In the 18th century, the fort was captured by Chimaji Appa after a three year long campaign. There is a statue of Chimajiappa in Vasai fort. What remains are the parts of the imposing 4.5 kms long fort walls, two access doors (‘Porta do Mar’ and ‘Porta da Terra’) and remnants of Portuguese buildings and churches dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.