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The once majestic Fort of Bassein (today known as Vasai), could perhaps have been a world heritage monument, if not for neglect and vandalism. Located 70 kilometres from Mumbai, romancing the Arabian Sea, today only rubbles and ruins remind us of its glorious past.
Formerly, the fort protected the province of Bassein and offered shelter to about 60,000 inhabitants, 2,000 Portuguese and 58,000 Indian Christians. Of historic interest, it is one of the most important old settlements of the Portuguese, in North India, where they ruled uninterrupted for over 205 years.
Before the Portuguese, the province belonged to the Kingdom of Cambay and was rich in natural wealth like timber, basalt, granite, cotton, sugarcane and rice, making it a commercial centre. In 1528, Captain Heytor de Silveira captured and burnt the city. Later in 1532, the Portuguese, newly, attacked Bassein and entered the fort and destroyed it. The city of Bassein was founded in 1536 by Nunho de Cunha, a Portuguese soldier who conquered it from Muslim ruler, Bahadur Shali, King of Gujarat. In the same year, the Sultan assaulted the city on account of which a fortress was built around the Portuguese town.
Christianity thrived after St Francisco Xavier spread the religion, converting many Indians. Bassein was known for the refinement and wealth of aesthetically architectured buildings and palaces and the beauty of its churches. At the end of the 17th century the region reached the height of prosperity and a mint or ' Casa da Moeda' was established. Later, the decline of the Portuguese power in the Orient and the transfer of Bombay to the British in 1665 weakened the city, which bore imprint of Maratha attacks. After repeated attacks from the Marathas (under the leadership of the Maratha chieftain Chimaji Appa), in the year 1739, the Portuguese were forced to leave Bassein. In 1802, the Marathas handed over the city to the British after signing the Treaty of Bassein, which marked an important landmark in the history of British supremacy in India. It led to the expansion of authority and influence of the East India Company over the Indian sub-continent.
This fascinating history of Portuguese prosperity and their final struggle lies buried underneath the rubble and ruins of this once stately fort. What remains are the parts of the imposing fort walls, two access doors ('Porta do Mar' and 'Porta da Terra') and vestiges of town houses and churches. The church and convent of Dominicans, the Franciscan church of Santo Antonio, church and convents of Augustinian, the 'Camara' palace and Jesuits church and convent are some of the visible relics of the past. Overgrown shrubs and bushes dominate this lonely fort area, which is now home to anti-social elements and lovers.
After years of neglect, historian Dr Regin Domnic D' Silva took up the task to set up the Bassein Institute of History and Culture, to explore and research on the ruined fort-city and inculcate in the youth a sense of its 2,000 year old socio-economic history. Can we hope that these efforts pave the way to make it a prominent landmark in the Maharashtra state tourist map.
How to get there:
Nearest City: Mumbai, Maharashtra (70 kms.)
Nearest Airport: Mumbai, India
Nearest Railway Station: Vasai (Western Railway route)
Taxis and auto rickshaws are available from Vasai Railway Station to the fort area.
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