Vasai Basin Fort, Mumbai
About
These ruins of the fort built by Portuguese
is a reminder of their occupation on the islands.
Bassein Fort (Basin) also known, as Vasai Fort
is an important sea fort located in Bassein,
present day Vasai. Built by Bahadur Shah, sultan
of Gujarat, it was initially one of a chain
of forts intended to guard the coast against
the Portuguese and the pirates. Bassein, however,
fell into many hands such as- the Portuguese,
the Marathas and finally the British. In the
course of time Bassein became a flourishing
shipbuilding centre and the famous Bassein stone
was very much in demand.
The Fort
Bahadur Shah built it. The fort is very large,
with the main gate leading to a small courtyard,
from where one can climb the ramparts to take
a look around, which reveals the numerous old
structures of the fort now in ruins. The Portuguese
buildings inside the fort are in ruins, although
there are enough standing walls to give a good
idea of the floor plans of these structures.
Some have well-preserved facades. They are usually
decorated with carved stones, some weathered
beyond recognition, others still displaying
sharp chisel marks. Three chapels inside the
fort are still recognizable, which have facades
typical of 17th century Portuguese churches.
The southernmost of these has a well-preserved
barrel vaulted ceiling. Several watchtowers
still stand, with safe staircases leading up.
History of the Fort
Bassein was known as a place for ship building
in the 15th Century. The Portuguese settled
here because they were shrewd enough to recognise
the importance of Bassein as a strategic place
on western coast. They captured the fort from
the Sultan of Gujarat and remodeled it by building
a citadel inside. The fort was made the northern
capital of the Portuguese, later then over a
span of 200 years they built for its aristocracy,
a walled city overlooking the sea. This city
housed a cathedral, 13 churches and 5 convents.
Many of the buildings still stand, albeit without
roofs. In the 18th century the fort was attacked
by the Maratha army under Baji Rao Peshwa, and
fell in 1739 after a three year long campaign.
However, it was the British who had the final
possession of the fort.
Present Form
The ruins of the Portuguese fort still stand
almost hidden by brushwood and palm groves.
Some of the walls and churches can still be
seen. Almost on every wall of the fort, there
are trees whose roots damage the structures.
The Bassein fort needs immediate attention of
the authorities, to retain the last remains
of this historic place.
Nearby Attractions
About 10 kms to the northwest lies Nalasopara
village, the capital of the Konkan region from
1500 BC to 1300 AD. Many Buddhist relics were
discovered here. It is believed to have been
the birthplace of Buddha. An hour by bus from
Bassein station are the Vajreshwari temple and
the Akoli hot springs. Ganeshpuri with the Sadguru
Nityanand Maharaj Samadhi Mandir, the Bhimeshwar
temple and other ashrams are also easily accessible.
Location
In Vasai, 55 Kms from Mumbai By road, it is
77 Kms along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway.
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