Siege of Vasai (Bassein)

01Bassein under the Portuguese

The Portuguese had held Bassein since 1534. Its walls enclosed churches, convents and the houses of the fidalgos, and the territory round it was ruled under the Inquisition’s shadow; temples in the Portuguese lands had been pulled down and conversions pressed. In 1737 the Marathas took Thane and Salsette, and early in 1739 Chimaji Appa laid siege to Bassein itself.

02Mines under the walls

The fort had stone walls and sea on one side, and the first assaults failed with heavy loss. The Marathas dug mines under the bastions and blew breaches, then stormed them again and again through April and into May. The garrison surrendered in May 1739 and was allowed to leave with its arms. Chimaji Appa built a temple in the fort, and the Nageshwar and other temples of the area were renewed.

Person · 16 Mar 1693 – 20 May 1766Malhar Rao HolkarA Dhangar shepherd boy from the village of Hol near Jejuri, Malhar Rao rose under Peshwa Bajirao I to be one of the great Maratha commanders in Malwa and founded the Holkar state of Indore. He rode with every major Maratha campaign for forty years, from Palkhed to Attock and Panipat.Read →