Vasai Fort History- Features, Facts, Timings & More

Located in Vasai Taluka a distance of 45 km from Palghar City lies the ruins of the magnificent Vasai Fort. Decades earlier, it acted as a prosperous Portuguese rule during the 16th and 17th centuries. Moreover, it was once a city of significant size and great importance. Vasai derives its name from the Sanskrit word Vaas, meaning “dwelling” or “residence”. But how did it get its name Bacaim? Why is it popular among tourists and locals? Let’s explore the details together Vasai Fort history, its features, interesting facts and more.

Commissioned by	Portugese Rulers
Also Known as	Bassein Fort
Location	Portuguese Rulers
Timings	Open 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all days
Entry Fee for fort	No Entry Fees

History of Vasai Fort

The Vasai Fort is quite a popular spot for heritage walks and movie shoots. It is being restored under the direction of the Archaeological Survey of India.

• The construction of the Fort Bassein began somewhere around the 1530s. 
• Vasai Fort came into the possession of the Portuguese rulers in 1534 after it was surrounded by Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat.
• During that time, Mumbai, which was a group of islands inhabited by indigenous koli fishermen, was also under the control of the Portuguese. 
• The Portuguese used the Vasai fort as their commercial and military base.
• Later on, it became the capital of the Konkon region.
• Upon seizing the fort, the Portuguese developed the pre-existing structure and renamed it Fortaleza de São Sebastião de Baçaim (the Fort of Saint Sebastian of Vasai). 
• Later on, in the 18th century, Chimaji Appa, brother of Peshwa Bajirao, and his army of the Maratha empire conquered the fort. 
• It was here that Peshwa Bajirav signed the Treaty of Bassein which subsequently dissolved the Maratha Confederacy. However, their rule was short-lived as the fort was captured by the British forces in 1817 AD.

Also Read – Neemrana Fort History: Features, Facts, Timings & More

Features of Vasai Fort

• The fort has an invincible 4.5 km stone wall and 11 bastions, covering about an area of 110 acres.
• It has been constructed strategically on a location that is surrounded by sea on three sides. 
• The fort featured two gates- the westward land gate. 
• There are three churches inside the fort, the Holy Name of Jesus Church (also known as the Jesuit Church), Saint Joseph’s Church, and the Franciscan Church of Saint Anthony. 
• The architecture of the Vasai Fort contains an intricate blend of the popular churches of Saint Paul and Bom Jesus. 
• The fort also featured a small citadel with water tanks, storage houses, and fields to grow crops. 
• The dome of the Saint Joseph’s Church still contains traces of Portuguese-period paintings of floral patterns and faces of angels. 

Also Read: Harihar Fort History: Features, Facts, Timings & More

Interesting Facts About Vasai Fort

• The Saint Anthony’s Church inside the Vasai Fort was built in memory of Saint Anthony in 1231 and contains about 250 tombstones belonging to the Portuguese nobles.
• The fort also contains a Victory Pole where the Marathas unfurled their flag upon seizing the fort in 1739.

Timings and Entry Fee

Interestingly, there is no entry fee for the Vasai Fort in Mumbai. It is open to the public all seven days a week from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. You can explore the rich history and heritage of this fort whenever you want. 

Also Read: Rajgad Fort History: Features, Facts, Timings & More

Other Attractions Near Vasai Fort in Mumbai

Vardhman Fantasy Amusement Park	Mumbai Film City
Sanjay Gandhi National Park	Kanheri Caves

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