Vasai Fort (Bassein Fort) – Information in English
📍 Location:
Vasai Fort is located near Vasai village in Palghar district of Maharashtra State, India. The fort is situated adjacent to the sea.
🏰 Name of the Fort:
🛣️ Routes to Reach the Fort:
🌊 Sea Route:
Vasai Fort is a coastal (Bhuikot) fort located on the Arabian Sea coast. It lies in the estuarine region of the Ulhas River in the state of Maharashtra, India.
Therefore, the fort can be easily accessed by sea routes.
One can reach the fort by sea from Mumbai, Surat, and other Indian ports.
🚗 Land Route:
From Mumbai, one can travel via Thane, then Sasunghar – Sativali – Virar – Vasai to reach Vasai Fort.
(Approximate distance: 50 kilometers)
Vasai can also be reached via the Surat – Vapi – Palghar route.
Major cities such as Mumbai, Thane, and Surat are connected to other domestic and international destinations by rail, road, and air routes.
Nala Sopara is located close to Vasai.
👀 Places to See at Vasai Fort:
While approaching the fort from Vasai village, the area appears to be surrounded by water and marshy land on three sides, and connected to Vasai village by a road on one side.
🚪 Entrance Gate:
When proceeding towards the fort from Vasai village, the first structure encountered is an entrance gate.
This is the entrance gate of the citadel (Balekilla) and is known as Saint Sebastian Gate.
Although much of the gate has collapsed over time, its arched frame still remains intact.
On one side of the gate, the Christian religious symbol, the Holy Cross, can be seen engraved.
The side pillars reflect the Portuguese Western architectural style.
Above this gate, there once stood a statue of Saint Sebastian, which appears to have been destroyed over time.
On the inner side of the gate, arrangements for placing a wooden barricade (Adnya) to block enemies can be seen, along with guard chambers built for the rest of the sentries.
Second Entrance Gate:
After observing the first gate and moving ahead, taking a half turn immediately leads to the second gate. This design was made from a defensive point of view for the protection of the fort. On the upper portion of this gate, there are several loopholes (embrasures). From these, in case of an attack on the fort, arrangements were made to fire guns at the enemy, throw burning fireballs, and pour boiling oil. Such a well-planned defensive structure can be clearly seen here.
Rear Bastion of the Citadel (Balekilla):
After entering through the second gate and moving inside, a bastion comes into view. On this bastion, an inscription is carved in the Portuguese language. It states that this fort was constructed by Garcia D’Souza (Garzia Dish) on the orders of the Portuguese Governor. At present, a large amount of grass, trees, and bushes can be seen growing over this bastion.
Several churches from the Portuguese period can be seen within the fort. Some of these churches are now in a dilapidated condition. The front portion of the church has a semicircular arched doorway, followed by a prayer hall, and further inside are the Holy Cross and the place from where the priest delivered sermons.
At this spot, a beautiful semicircular arched structure can be seen, covered with a roof.
Considering the height of the church, the building appears to be three to four storeys tall. There are windows (clerestory openings) on the upper side, designed to allow light to enter. These windows once had multicolored glass fitted into them, through which light would filter and illuminate the interior of the church.
Next to every church, three-storey to four-storey bell towers can be found. Large bells were installed in these towers. Over time, many churches were built here, and each church had its own bell tower. The massive bells are no longer present today, but even now, if one stands inside these towers and produces sound, echoes can still be heard.
Circular Staircases:
The church buildings were usually two or three storeys high. To reach the upper levels, circular staircases were constructed. These staircases still stand today as silent witnesses to history.
Vast Open Ground:
Inside the citadel (Balekilla), a large open ground can be seen. This area was used for military training and drills. Around two to two and a half thousand soldiers were stationed here, and horses were also tied in this area.
Within Vasai Fort, near the churches, a structure with high surrounding walls can be seen. This was the hospital of that period. During Portuguese rule, wounded soldiers, sick personnel, and other staff were treated here. The building has several windows and halls, and judging by its height, it appears to be a two to three storey structure.
Soldiers’ Barracks:
Adjacent to the citadel, there were barracks built for the accommodation of soldiers, where they rested and lived.
Square Well:
A square-shaped well constructed during the Portuguese period is located here. It fulfilled the water requirements of that time. At present, bushes have grown over it, and the water is no longer fit for drinking.
Circular Well:
In the middle of the ground, a circular well can be found. However, it is not clearly known to which period this well belongs.
Factory Chimney (Smoke Stack):
A chimney can be seen inside the fort. This indicates that there was once a jaggery or sugar factory at this location. When the British took control of the fort from the Marathas, a British officer named Colonel Littlewood resided here. He cultivated sugarcane in the marshy lands inside and around the fort and established a crusher or factory for producing jaggery and sugar.
According to local people, for the construction of this factory, stones from the fort’s ramparts and other parts were also sold by him.
Ramparts (Fortification Walls) and Stairs:
Some sections of the fort’s ramparts are still in good condition. In certain places, the ramparts appear to have been reconstructed. Considering their thickness, they are wide enough for a small four-wheeled vehicle to pass over them easily. Numerous bastions can be seen at various points. It appears that the fort originally had a total of ten bastions. Their names are Cavaleiro Bastion, Saint Sebastian, Saint Gonsalo, Elephanta, Reis Mago, Saint Paul, Madre de Deus, Nossa Senhora do Remedios, Saint Pedro, and the tenth Saint Sebastian. Each bastion was equipped with loopholes and battlements for defense.
Portuguese-Era Prison:
While inspecting Vasai Fort, a structure can be seen near the Town Hall. At present, only the high surrounding walls and the doorways within them remain. This roofless structure was a prison built during the Portuguese period for keeping prisoners. Later, during the British period, the form and use of this place were altered, which is evident from the modified design of the windows and doors in the walls.
During the Portuguese era, criminals and prisoners of war were confined here. On the outer side of this building, an inscription in the Portuguese language can be seen, which mentions that the structure was built in the year 1640.
Portuguese-Era Town Hall:
Among the remnants of Portuguese-era architecture at Vasai Fort, the Town Hall building is seen to have been constructed in the Roman architectural style. Ceremonies such as felicitation, farewell, and welcome functions were held here. This was an administrative headquarters building from where official paperwork and correspondence were conducted.
Western-style carvings and Christian symbols can also be seen engraved on the walls of this structure.
Prince of Wales Museum:
One of the buildings located in the prison परिसर was used as a museum known as the Prince of Wales Museum.
Christian Monastery (Church Monastery):
A monastery was established here for the residence of priests and bishops who preached Christianity, for religious studies, and for the propagation of Christian beliefs. A baptism hall is located here, and its building can still be seen in good condition.
At this place, religious conversions were carried out, bringing people of other faiths into Christianity. The परिसर also includes a bell tower and a large church known as the Saint Joseph Christ Church.
Marketplace:
During the Portuguese period, there was a large marketplace inside the Vasai Fort area. Trade was carried out here at both national and international levels. The main commodities traded were bamboo, black pepper, spices, sugar, and at times, even a slave market was held.
Several Hindu temples can be seen within the fort. When Chimaji Appa, a Maratha commander of the Peshwa period, came to conquer this fort, he vowed to Goddess Vajreshwari that he would build a temple if the fort was captured. After winning the fort, he constructed the Vajreshwari Devi Temple.
Nageshwar Temple:
Another temple is located within the fort परिसर, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Hanuman / Maruti Temple:
When the Marathas captured this fort, a Maruti (Hanuman) Temple, symbolizing valor and strength, was built here.
Saint Gonsalves Christ Church:
One of the churches at Vasai Fort that is still in good condition is the Saint Gonsalves Church. Even today, sacred festivals of the Christian community are celebrated here with devotion and enthusiasm.
Darya Darwaza (Sea Gate):
At the far end of the fort, adjacent to the sea creek, there are two tall and massive gates built consecutively. From this point, access to the sea was possible. Both of these gates still stand in a strong condition today and bear testimony to their past grandeur.
Among them, the doors of the Darya Darwaza are still in good condition. Iron sheets and large iron nails can be seen fixed onto the doors. Observing their thickness gives a clear idea of the prosperity and strength of that era.
On the outer side of the Darya Darwaza, a huge tree dating back to the Portuguese period can be seen. This massive tree is a Baobab.
Neglect and Growth of Vegetation:
Due to prolonged neglect of the fort, a wide variety of plants and vegetation have grown here over the course of time.
Historical Information of Vasai Fort:
Up to the 13th century AD, the region was under the control of the Maurya rulers.
Understanding the international importance of this location, a chieftain named Bhandari Vengale constructed a fortified Bhuikot-type fort here in AD 1414.
Between AD 1420 and AD 1530, the area remained under the rule of the Muslim ruler of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah.
In AD 1533, Saint Sebastian took control of this fort.
After AD 1534, the Portuguese rulers constructed several churches, a town hall, military residences, other residential buildings, and extensive fortifications at this site.
In AD 1536, the Garrison Church was built.
In AD 1540, a hospital was constructed.
In AD 1606, the Court of Arms building was constructed.
In AD 1739, during the Peshwa period, the Maratha commander Chimaji Appa launched a campaign against the Portuguese, who were acting against Maratha interests, and attacked Vasai Fort. Many Maratha warriors laid down their lives in this battle, and ultimately the fort was captured by the Marathas.
During the Peshwa rule, several Hindu temples were constructed within the fort.
In AD 1774, the fort was captured by the British.
In the same year, AD 1774, under the Treaty of Salbai, the fort was returned to the Marathas.
In AD 1818, the Maratha Empire collapsed, and the fort came under British rule.
In AD 1860, the British government leased the fort to a British officer named Littlewood, who attempted to establish a sugar factory at this location.
On 26 May 1909, the then Government of India declared Vasai Fort a National Protected Monument.
After 15 August 1947, the fort came under the control of the Government of India.
Thus, this is the comprehensive historical account of Vasai Fort.
