Vasai Fort
Vasai, also known as Bassein, is about 45 km from Palghar city. It is located in Vasai taluka. The old city fort was the headquarters of the Portuguese in the north and is second in importance after Goa. The coastal area of Vasai Fort was surrounded by sea on three sides and there was a moat near the rock cut which was filled with sea-water. It had a strong stone wall 4.5 km long with 11 bastions.
The fort had two gates, the rear one being the western ground gate. The fort also had a small fort equipped with water tanks, full of granaries, granaries, etc. The fort also had areas for growing grains and vegetables. All the old structures are in ruins inside the wall.
Vasai was a major naval base and ship-building centre for the Portuguese. In 1802 AD, Peshwa Bajirao signed the infamous ‘Basin Treaty’ here, which dissolved the Maratha Confederacy. Finally, the fort and the city of Vasai came under British control in 1817 AD.
