In Ink, Paints and Photographs

Vasai Fort as seen by the Portuguese and the British from

the 17th to 19th Centuries

Text and Photographs By -

Mayur Thakare,
Circle Officer of former CA Office (For ASI, Mumbai Circle), Govt. of India
at Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Govt. of Maharashtra
St. George Fort, St. George Hospital Campus, Near C.S.T, Mumbai - 400 001
E-mail - mayurt87@[Link]/meluhha_kemet@[Link]

Abstract -

The present article took its shape when I was invited as the Expert Guest for Vasai Vijay
Utsav by the Vasai - Virar City Municipal Corporation in May, 2014. Since Vasai Fort has
served as the principle focal centre of the North Konkan's Geo-Politics in the late Medieval
period and has till now survived with one of the best remains of the Indo-European style of
Art and Architecture, it has always attracted and also challenged me for various Historical
and Structural issues that are still bound with it and which are mostly unanswered to this
date. As I had a collection of numerous maps, sketches, drawings, paintings and
photographs of the Vasai Fort dating back from 17th century onwards and which in
actuality had depicted the Vasai Fort as it then existed, I sensed that it would be good to
present them in a photographic exhibition where they will be presented in chronological
order with necessary historical introduction and background. The present article is a next
step of the exhibition where it has tried to answer structural issues related to the Fort
besides presenting a range of art works in different mediums related to the Vasai Fort in a
strict chronological order. Though I personally feel that there are more art works related to
the Fort than those exhibited here and I hope one day they will be brought before people
and which will further illuminate us about the structural activities of the Fort.
If anyone would like to refer this article or use photographs then necessary citations may
be given.

M.T. Vasai 1
Introduction -

Vasai Fort, known in Portuguese as the Bacaim Fort and in English as the Bassein Fort is
situated at Vasai, Taluka - Vasai in Thane District of Maharashtra. From the year 1536 A.D.
when the construction of St. Sebastian Fort was started by the Portuguese Captain Garcia
de Sa on the commands of the Governor Nuno da Cunha, this magnificent monument has
stood to witness numerous episodes and events in the history and culture of North Konkan,
Deccan and in whole of India. It has proudly served as the luxurious capital of the
Portuguese Province of the North from 1534 to 1739 A.D. and in its heydays was known as
the Corte da Norte. It is said that the settlement inside the Fort was specially reserved for
Europeans i.e. the Portuguese and was the home for several Portuguese noble families and
the Fidalgos. Besides serving as the seat of Portuguese nobility in the North Konkan, it also
had the presence of much powerful clergyman who dominated the Spiritual-Political-
Economical-Social life of the Province of the North and Portuguese presence in India. A
number of Catholic Christian orders like the Franciscans, Jesuits, Augustinians, Dominicans
etc. had settled in the Vasai Fort and from time to time had constructed very large
Churches, Monasteries, Colleges and Cathedrals, of which remains survive till today. The
surviving 1 Cathedral, 4 Church and Monasteries/Colleges and 2 Churches still carry
imprint of Renaissance style of Art and Architecture on them. A giant Fort strengthened
with 11 bastions mostly in arrow-tipped shape provided with powerful cannons besides
the 20 to 21 boats equipped with ferocious guns which were always used to be ready for its
defense in the creek, the Vasai Fort was a nightmare for any marching enemy. In total, Vasai
Fort served on multidimensional aspects, ranging from the Defense, Social-Political,
Spiritual fronts of the Indo-Portuguese presence in the late Medieval India. When it was
taken over by the Marathas under the command of Peshwa General, Chimaji Appa from the
Portuguese in 1739 A.D. after a prolonged Maratha-Portuguese war (1737 - 1739 A.D.) the
Vasai Fort was made the administrative centre of a Subah for the region stretching from
Daman (at present, a Union Territory of India) in North to Bankot (at present in Raigad
District, Maharashtra) in South (Campbell 1882). Nevertheless, the Fort did not last long in
Maratha control and on 11th December, 1780 A.D. fell to British forces commanded by
Colonel Thomas Goddard. As per the Treaty of Salbai (March, 1782 A.D.), the Fort once
again restored to the Marathas. It was in the Vasai Fort that Peshwa Bajirao II took refuge
in 1802 A.D. when he was chased by the forces of Yashwantrao Holkar of Indore (at present
Indore, Madhya Pradesh). He accepted the British assistance for his protection from the
inner enemies of Maratha Confederacy and accordingly signed the treaty with the British
on 31st December, 1802 A.D. which became famous as the "Treaty of Bassein". The British
delegation to the Peshwa Bajirao II was led by Colonel Barry Close and his Assistant
Mountstuart Elphinstone (later the Governor of Bombay). The power of Maratha
Confederacy was on wane in the reign of Peshwa Bajirao II and by the Treaty of Poona
signed on 13th June 1817 A.D. the entire Peshwa dominions in the North Konkan including
M.T. Vasai 2
the Vasai Fort came in the control of the British. By 1818 A.D. no powerful enemy in India
to confront the British was left and thus the need to maintain expensive Forts as the
defense arrangement was ceased to exist. The days of influence of Vasai Fort was over by
then. Soon the Fort was leased to few Catholic and later on to the British families by the
British administration who attempted to start a Sugar Factory in the premises of the Fort
but which was never successful. Condition like whether the Fort would once again be
forgotten or left to ruins arose. But considering its Historical, Art and Architectural and
Cultural importance, the British Administration of the Indian Government decided to grant
official protection to this Fort and as a result, the Vasai Fort was declared as the Nationally
Protected Monument by Archaeological Survey of India vide Notification No. 2704 - A,
Dated 26th May 1909.
The active period of Vasai Fort i.e. first from 1536 to 1818 A.D. and thereafter from 1818 to
1909, the declaration year of its protection by the Government of India is totally of 373
years. Once the Fort came in the custody of Archaeological Survey of India, various
measures to document, map, list sites and antiquities of this monument and later on to
carry out various conservation and protection were undertaken to the present date. The
history of the Vasai Fort which remained central to the cultural and political happenings of
North Konkan is of immense importance in view of the turmoil that the society in the
Indian Sub-Continent was going through in the late Medieval India in the background of
various events happening at the multiple levels, the foremost being the arrival of European
trading companies substantially supported logistically, financially and militarily by its
parent states. These European trading companies brought with them a class of nobles,
officers, scholars, researchers, clergyman who were sensitive enough to look beyond the
drab state of administrative and financial affairs. They were also credited for introducing
new techniques, technologies, fruits and vegetables, cuisine, style of dressing, Western
thoughts and learning etc. to the people living in late Medieval India. Likewise, the
Portuguese in important to mention, introduced the art of printing and brought to India
many vegetables and fruits (ex. Pineapple, Jackfruit, Cashew, Custard Apple, Papaya, Sweet
Carrot, Guava, Potato, Banana, Tobaco etc.) which have become a commonplace part of our
daily diet (De'Silva 2004). Once the art of printing was in vogue, then came the first maps of
the Vasai Fort, diligently drawn and painted by the Portuguese officials and the rich Indo-
Portuguese literature, which is full of historical, cultural, political, religious information
concerning the Portuguese rule in India. One worthy to mention among them is "Livro das
Plantas de Todas as Fortalalezas, Cidades e Povoacoes do Estado da India Oriental" written
by Antonio Bocarro in 1635 A.D. Here, we find a beautiful map of the Vasai Fort drawn by
Bocarro as early as 1635 A.D. though the Bacaim had been finding mention graphically as
well as textually in the Portuguese documents as back as the starting quarter of the 16th
century. Besides Portuguese, there were many prominent Europeans who on their tour to
India visited Vasai and the Vasai Fort. These travelers too have left the rich repository of
drawings and texts in their travelogues and thus have enriched our understanding for

M.T. Vasai 3
historical and architectural development of the Vasai Fort. After the departure of
Portuguese, the aesthetic and literary task was ably carried on mostly by the able officers of
the East India Company and later on by the British living in India under the monarchial
administration of the England. By the second half of the 18th century, either on one
incident or other, we start to get very beautiful and contextual drawings and paintings of
the Vasai Fort painted by the officers or soldiers of the East India Company or by the British
artists. The artists belonging to the British School of Paintings have in attractive manner
painted the vistas of the Fort and by this act have brought to life the condition of the Fort
shortly before it was only left to be a place for adventurous trip or the ruins of curiosity.
When the technique and art of Photography introduced in India by the Europeans, a new
chapter in recording the people, their culture, life, customs, the landscape, the art and
architectural wealth of the land was started. Bombay, being the prime urban metropolis of
then the British India, embraced whole heartedly the new technique. The strange machine
like camera and the unusual people handling it started to capture the every scene and shot
before them like never before. In fact, Bombay had by 1854 A.D. the Bombay Photographic
Society with 200 members (Jain 2010) ! The East India Company had even accepted the
photography as one of the realistic and accurate means to document historical,
archaeological and architectural specimens in the country and in turn had employed its
officers for the task. The zest of recording was carried at the new level by these
photographers and it is from them who were either the photographers or the officers of the
Archaeological Survey of India that we get lovely photographs of the Vasai Fort as it then
existed. These photographers offer us the rare situation to view the actual condition of the
Fort as it then existed and help us to understand its change in position from being the
Portuguese urban colonial settlement in 16th century to the settlement converted into the
city of ruins by 20th century. This historical perspective is widely needed if one is really
interested in knowing the various structural and cultural phases that the monument has
gone through and more importantly how human aesthetic taste, hobbies, professions can
make alive the dead in its different contours and phases of life. Not only it shapes our own
view to look at the monument or site in the background of its various historical phases but
also bring us close to the monument with a more closer feeling of oneness and with a firm
resolution to protect and preserve it further.
The present article, "In Ink, Paints and Photographs - the Vasai Fort as seen by the
Portuguese and the British" would like to bring before you a range of maps, drawings,
paintings and photographs dating from the 17th to 19th century documenting the Vasai
Fort in its various hues and phases. I am thankful to those many unknown and known
people who had taken pain and delight in recording the Vasai Fort from time to time and
which has enabled us to view various stages of existence of the Vasai Fort. Works of
personalities like Antonio Bocarro (1635 A.D.), Pedro Barreto de Resende (1646 A.D.),
Jean-Francois Lafiteau (1734 A.D.), Captain Charles Reynolds (1780 A.D.), Captain James
Barton (1820 A.D.), George Boyd (1821 A.D.), William Miller (1828 A.D.), Charles Scott

M.T. Vasai 4
(1857 A.D.), William Johnson (1862 A.D.) and Henry Cousens (1898 A.D.) are displayed
here with necessary historical note and background. A brief personal information is
provided for each artist and photographer below. Besides, basic introduction for the main
structures inside the Fort which at most of the occasions portrayed by numerous artists
and photographers is too given. Since the central theme of the present article is to
introduce here a range of Vasai Fort's depiction in various forms of art like paintings and
photography; historical, art and architectural discussion about the Vasai Fort is kept
minimum though basic introduction to the Monument and its subsidiary structures which
recur in different paintings or photographs is outlined properly here within its historical
context. I am thankful to the India Office Records/Online Gallery, British Library, London,
Bibliotheque Nationale de France, Paris, Evora Public Library, Portugal and Southern
Methodist University, Dallas, United States for the excellent maps, drawings, paintings,
sketches and photographs exhibited here.

About the Artists and Photographers -

1. Antonio Bocarro

Antonio Bocarro (1594 ? - 1642 A.D.) was a Portuguese Chronicler, Historian and
Geographer. He joined the Torro de Tombo (Portuguese Archives/Records Office) in Goa as
the "Guarda-mor" (Director) and "Cronista" (Chronicler) most probably in 1631 or 1632
A.D. after the death of former Portuguese Chronicler Diogo do Couto. In his official capacity,
he wrote "Decada XIII do Historia da India". On the orders of the Portuguese King Phillip III
who needed graphic information on plants, cities, forts etc. in Portuguese possession of
Asia, the then Portuguese Viceroy of India, Dom Miguel de Noronha, 4th Earl of Linhares
initiated the project and entrusted the responsibility to Antonio Bocarro. It is assumed that
Bocarro contributed text for this work whereas the graphics were contributed by the
Viceroy's Secretary, Pedro Barreto Resende. There are two editions available of this famous
work by Antonio Bocarro, the first being from Evora and the second from Madrid, both in
Portugal (Pissurlekar 1963).

2. Pedro Barreto Resende

Pedro Barreto Resende was a Scholar and Cartographer and had been to North Africa
before he came to India in 1629 A.D. It appears that he was awarded Knighthood during his
stay in North Africa. In official capacity, he served as the Secretary to Dom Miguel de
Noronha, 4th Earl of Linhares, the then the Portuguese Viceroy of India. In the project of
providing information to the Portuguese King Phillip III, it is evident that he contributed
graphics in exchange of text that Antonio Bocarro wrote. Later in 1646 A.D. he came out
with his own richly illustrated publication "Livro do Estado da India Oriental", which he wrote
M.T. Vasai 5
as per his own opinion "out of curiosity". One edition of this work is present in
Bibliotheque National de France, Paris and second is in the collection of British Library,
London (Ibid).

3. Jean Francois-Lafitau (Image - 12)

The artist, Jean-Francois Lafitau (1681 - 1746 A.D.) was a well known French Jesuit
Missionary, Ethnologist and Naturalist. He was born in Bordeaux, France on 31st May,
1681. He travelled to Cananda in 1711 A.D. and did remarkable work on Iroquois society.
On his return to France in 1717 A.D. he devoted much time in writing. Due to his scientific
point of view, he is hailed to be the first of this type of Jesuit Missionary in Canada and is
known for his Comparative Method in the field Ethnology/Anthropology. He published
"Illustrations de Histoire des decouvertes et Conquests des Portugais dans le Noureau Monde"
(Image - 13) from France in 1734 A.D. and later died in Bordeaux, France on 3rd July, 1746
A.D.

4. Captain Charles Reynolds

The artist Charles Reynolds (1756 - 1819 A.D.) is considered to be a son of a Bloomsbury
Baker, William Reynolds. He went for his education at St. Paul School in 1769 A.D. and
thereafter arrived in India at the tender age of 14 as a Cadet in the Bombay Army. In his
service, he served in the East India Company's campaigns against Marathas and Tipu
Sultan. He surveyed many routes on his own initiative and was later appointed as the
Surveyor. In 1785, he was deputed to accompany Charles Mallet on a mission to the
Maratha Chieftain Scindia's of Gwalior, during which he surveyed the route from Surat to
Aagra and Delhi. He rose to the position due to his survey skills and was later appointed as
the Surveyor-General of Bombay (1797 - 1807 A.D.), where he worked mainly on a large
scale map of Western India. After his service in the army, he went back to England and
mainly lived in Portland Place, London and died at Cheltenham (Diaries 1750 - 1842 A.D.
British Library, London).

5. Captain James Barton (Image - 17)

The artist, Captain James Barton was born in 1794 A.D. He was married in Bombay in 1821
A.D. and had three children by his marriage. He was in the service of the East India
Company's army as a Captain in the Bombay Artillery and had served in the 3rd Anglo-
Maratha War in 1817 - 19 A.D. He died on 19th May 1829 A.D. at Matunga in Mumbai and
was buried there (Barton Historical Society).

M.T. Vasai 6
6. George Boyd

The artist, George Boyd was employed in the Bombay Infantry from 1820 - 1850 A.D. and
was mainly engaged in survey works. He served in Deccan and Satara (present Satara,
Maharashtra State) from 1822 - 1831 A.D. in 1835 A.D. He was doing surveys in Kathiawar
(in present Gujarat) and in 1835 A.D. he was making road surveys in Sindh (in present
Pakistan). He is also mentioned in dispatches during the Afghanistan war in 1840. In 1842
A.D. he worked on a survey between Quetta and Kalat (both in present Pakistan) (British
Library, London).

7. William Miller (Image - 20)

The artist, William Miller lived in Mumbai and had a house in Parel which was located
somewhere between Sewri and Matunga. He is credited to draw many vistas of Bombay
and Salsette and might have served in official capacity in the Bombay Administration of
East India Company (Ibid).

8. Charles Scott

The Photographer, Charles Scott (1824 - 1892 A.D.) was a son of a Purser in the Royal Navy.
He went on to receive Classical and Mathematical education and attended Military
Seminary. He was accepted by the Royal Engineering Establishment at Cheltenham for field
instructions in the arts of sapping and mining. He arrived in Bombay in 1844 A.D. and
served in important positions in Military Engineering Department. By 1850 A.D. he
developed interest in photography and started to capture views of the city and nearby
places. He was a member of the Bombay Photographic Society founded in 1854 A.D. His
works were printed in 1860 A.D. by J. Hogarth Publication Agency in London. Being one of
the pioneers of the art of photography in Western India and the country, he widely credited
for his extensive photographic works (Taylor & Schaaf 2007).

9. William Johnson

The Photographer, William Johnson is one of the pioneers of art of photography in Western
India and in the country. No birth and death records are available of him. He worked as a
Clerk in Bombay from 1848 - 1851 A.D. He was later promoted as Assistant in General
Department at Girgaum in 1852 A.D. and worked in Bombay till 1861 A.D. He was in
Uncovenanted Civil Service which was open to any persons born in India, whether
Europeans, Eurasians or Asian. Meanwhile, he developed interest in Photography and as
early as 1852 A.D. he had established a Photo Studio at Grant Road. He was one of the
founding members of the Bombay Photographic Society in 1854 A.D. and served as its

M.T. Vasai 7
Joint-Secretary and Co-Editor of its journal. He captured each and every aspect of Indian
Culture and Society, ranging from people, their customs, landscapes, monuments and
architecture from his Camera. From his numerous clicks in Western India, he produced
from 1855 - 1862 A.D. the work "Photographs of Western India" in 3 volumes. His other
works like "The Oriental Races and Tribes" (1863 A.D.) and "The Residents and Visitors of
Bombay" (1866 A.D.) both illustrated and authored by him, are considered to be the first
Ethnographic writing in India published with photographs. His contribution to the art of
photography in its early days in India is immense (Southern Methodist University Library,
Dallas).

10. Henry Cousens (Image - 45)

Henry Cousens (1854 - 1933 A.D.), a Civil Engineer, Archaeologist, Photographer and Artist
was born in Paisly, Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom. His father Henry Cousens was
a Private in Sappers and Miners and one of the two Sappers who was trained in the art of
Photozincography for the Government of India. Cousens joined Archaeological Survey of
India in 1881 A.D. but appeared to have worked there originally from 1874 A.D. In his
tenure in ASI, he undertook and led many expeditions in Western India. Later, he was
promoted as an Archaeological Surveyor in 1890 A.D. and became Superintendent of ASI,
Bombay in 1891 A.D. In 1906 A.D. he was heading the Western Circle of ASI and in the
same year, he became the Director General of Archaeological Survey of India. In his official
capacities in British India, he did exhaustive work in Western and Southern India. He
retired from service in 1910 A.D. His contribution to Archaeological and Historical studies
is immense and recognizing his meritorious service in the field of Archaeology, he received
from the British Administration, "Kaiser-i-Hind" Gold Medal. Apart from his forays in the
past, he did photography also for the British Astronomical Society's expedition to capture
photos of total Solar Eclipse in 1892/93 A.D. These images are considered to be one of the
earliest recorded photos of the total Solar Eclipse ever taken. After his long and illustrious
career, he died due to Heart Attack in 1933 A.D. in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England
([Link]).
Henry Cousens most probably in 1896/97 A.D. seems to be on tour of Western
Maharashtra and Thane District. In his own words, here is what he observed and thought
for the Vasai Fort as later published in "Progress Report of Archaeological Survey of Western
India for the Year Ending 30th June 1898" (Image - 46).
"...Finishing with the Deccan, camp was moved to, Bassein in the Konka and work was
resumed at the old fort. A long and interesting account of the Portuguese doings at Bassein
and the building of the fort is given in Dr. Da Cunha's Bassein. What I known as the inner
citadel, and which is generally looked upon as a potion of the whole fort as we now see it, is
really the old Muhammadan fort which was destroyed by Nuno Da Cunha and subsequently
rebuilt by him in 1536 as recorded in an inscription on the S.-W. bastion. The Muhammadan

M.T. Vasai 8
walls were not completely razed to the ground, and the portions which were left standing,
upon which the Portuguese rebuilt, are still plainly distinguishable as Musalman work, the
more regular courses of ashlar work contrasting, with the rough hastily built rubble above.
Again in the Muhammadan work may be seen frequent fragments of carved stones from
Hindu temples which doubtless the Muhammadans overthrew to build their walls with. The
Portuguese we are told did the same afterwards with the Muslim Masjids. Later on, the fort
being found very small and unsuitable for the increased garrison necessary, the larger fort
was built outside and around the old one. Beside the fragments of Hindu work found in the old
walls, several large carved stones lie about within the fort and one block lies close beside the
travelers' bungalow. The side posts of the main doorway of the Portuguese church at Nirmal,
a few miles north of Basin, are two carved pilasters from a Hindu temple. The Portuguese,
have destroyed all that the Muhammadans had left, both of their own and their predecessor's
work, the Inquisition having been more intolerant than Islam.
The old churches and other Portuguese buildings within the fort are very interesting but they
are fast falling, into decay, and little can be done with the majority of them, such hopeless
ruins have they become; but a few of the principal ones might be kept in better repair. They
are fairly safe from wanton destruction, the whole interior of the fort being held on long lease
by Mr. Littlewood, who resides on the spot, and takes a great interest in the buildings.
A very interesting thing that I discovered there was the presence of Sind tile work in the
Church of the Jesuits. It had been used as a dado on either side near the altar end of the church
as well as in the gallery. The imprints of the square tiles in the mortar setting, with fragments
adhering, and a whole tile from this building in the possession of Mr. Littlewood, are sufficient
evidence of their use here. But no trace of them was found elsewhere. This church was built in
1548 and repaired in subsequent times. The only connection between the Portuguese and Sind
appears to have been about the year 1555 when an embassy arrived at Bassein from Mirza
Isa, Chief of Tatta, asking the assistance of the Portuguese against Sultan Mahmud with whom
he was then at war. This request was complied with and 700 men sailed under Pedro Barreto
Rolim. These arrived at Tatta to find they were not required, and, being exasperated by the
refusal of the Tatta Governor, Mirzd Isa being away at the front at the time, to pay the
expenses of the fleet, the Portuguese, finding the city unprotected and defenseless, fell upon it
and sacked it. "Barreto landed his men, entered the city, and in the fury killed above 8000
persons, and destroyed by fire the value of above two millions of gold, after loading the vessels
with one of the richest booties that had been taken in Asia." This then no doubt accounts for
the presence of these tiles in the walls of the Church of the Jesuits at Bassein. The Dabgir
Masjid, still standings at Tatta, was then a new building profusely decorated with enamelled
coloured tiles. It was the predecessor of the present Jami Masjid.
A very curious thing in the Bassein fort is the shell bath. This is a small water cistern the whole
of the exterior of which is decorated with sea shells set thickly together in cement to form
patterns on the surface of the walls. On the front wall, under the steps, are miniature grottoes
let in and formed of great masses of rock crystal. The walls were further embellished with

M.T. Vasai 9
coloured China plates fixed in at intervals, but these have now been broken away...(Cousens
1898 : 21 - 24)"

Brief Description of Recurring Structures and Monuments of the Vasai

Fort in Drawings/Paintings/Photographs -

1. Church and Convent of Franciscans (St. Antonio Church) (Image - 1)

The Franciscan Order was the first to come to Vasai. This order was founded by St. Francis
of Assisi in 1210 A.D. It was the Franciscan Friar who accompanied the first Portuguese
expedition led by the Portuguese Governor Nuno da Cunha in 1533 A.D. against the Gujarat
Sultanate Fortification at Vasai. As per the available references, it was Friar Antonio de
Porto, a very active Franciscan Missionary in North Konkan, who is credited with founding
Franciscan religious establishment nearby the newly built Portuguese fortification of St.
Sebastian around 1536 A.D. The church was built by the Portuguese Emperor John III
through his own expenses. The Church was dedicated to St. Anotnio (1195 A.D. - 1231 A.D.)
of Portugal (De'Silva 2010). Though the original Church was small, in a due course of time
it was enlarged and institutions like Convent later the religious establishment were added.
As per the entry of 1634 A.D. there were total 30 Franciscan missionaries present in Vasai
(Campbell 1882).
Among the noteworthy visitors to these religious complex were St. Francis Xavier and
Italian traveler Gemelli Carerri. Francis Xavier, the main founder of the Jesuit Order in India
visited thrice to Vasai, first in 1544 A.D. second in 1546 A.D. and finally in 1548 A.D. In all
occasions, he stayed in the Franciscan Complex. Carreri visited the Church Complex in 1695
A.D. and was surprised to see many chapels in the Church which he thought to be not in
accordance with the customs of India (Ibid).
Architecturally, the Church is divided into frontal Porch, Nave and Altar. This Church has a
terraced gallery above the Porch. The frontal portion of Porch is provided with three
arched doors. The church can be entered by three doors. The nave has seven chapels in
total, the five in Northern side and the rest two are in Southern side. One overhanging arch
separates the nave in two parts. There are numerous tomb stones built in different time
periods inside the Nave. The Altar has vaulted ribbed roof. The Bell Tower, which is
supposed to had been destroyed in the Maratha - Portuguese War (1737 - 1739 A.D.)
stands near the Altar. The Church shows influence of Renaissance style of Architecture. The
Church has a Convent attached to on the South. At present, a large square courtyard flanked
by colonnades on its four sides can be seen. This entire Church Complex was either one
storied or multistoried and was provided with wooden beams, rafters at regular intervals
and which are not seen at present. Since it was built in the early years of the foundation of
St. Sebastian Fort, it is situated very near to the Fortification. One entrance to the Fort

M.T. Vasai 10
stood behind the Church Complex which in later period was closed. As per the Maratha
records, it was through the St. Sebastian Bastion which stands near the Church Complex
that the Marathas said to have entered inside the Fort in May, 1739 A.D.

2. Church and Convent of Augustinians (Church of Our Lady of Annunciation) (Image -

2)

The Augustinian Order came to India in 1572 A.D. As per historical records, the 7th
Provincial Father Gasper Vicente who arrived in India in 1594 A.D. is credited for
establishing the Church and Convent of Augustinians in Vasai in 1595 A.D. But other textual
evidences suggests that the foundation stone of this Church and Convent was laid by Father
Aleixio Menzes, the Archbishop of Goa in 1605 A.D. and the Church was named as "Igreja de
Nossa Senhora da Aanunciada"(De'Silva 2010). According to 1634 A.D. records, there were
8 Augustinians in Vasai. It is said that this Church Complex was famous for its dormitory
(Campbell 1882).
At present, very negligible remains of this Church Complex are survived which makes it
difficult to exactly describe its architectural arrangments. But seeing the spread of Church
Complex from its extant remains, it can be said with surety that this was too much large
and spacious. Since it was also built when the outer fortification work could have been in
progress, we find it is very close to the fortification and St. Paul Bastion.

3. Church and Convent of Jesuits (Church of the Holy Name of Jesus) (Image - 3)

The Jesuits Order founded by a Spanish solider Ignatius of Loyola in 1540 A.D. established
in Vasai due to efforts of St. Francis Xavier. The original small Church and Monastery at its
present place was built in 1549 A.D. by Fr. Melchoir Gonsalves with the active help of
Portuguese Governor George Cabral. In 1560 A.D. the academic institution attached to the
Church got the status of "College". By 1561 A.D. construction of much bigger Church and
Convent than the original one was started. The original Church was called till 1577 A.D. as
the Church of Bom Jesus and it was in 1578 A.D. that the Church got the name, "Church of
the Holy Name of Jesus". Father Francisco Cabral assisted by his fellow Clergymen, started
to slowly expand the architectural composition of the Church Complex (De'Silva 2010). The
Church Complex was further subjected to enlargement in 1636 A.D. As per an entry of 1634
A.D. there were 15 Jesuits Missionaries in Vasai (Campbell 1882).
Among the noteworthy people who stayed or visited this spacious Church Complex, the
first prominent name comes of Saint Goncalo Garcia (1557 - 1597 A.D.) who declared as the
Saint by the Catholic Church in 1862 A.D. Saint Goncalo Garcia stayed in this Church
Complex from 1564 to 1572 A.D. before leaving for missionary work in Japan. Father
Stephens wrote his monumental work "Christ Puran" in Marathi here in 1611 - 12 A.D
(De'Silva 2010). French Traveler, Pietro della Valle who visited this Church Complex in

M.T. Vasai 11
March, 1623 A.D. had food with the Jesuits Missionaries who welcomed him with much
courtesy. English Traveler, Dr. John Fryer who visited this Church Complex in 1675 A.D. has
appreciative words for "good Church, spacious Refectory and College of polite structure
with side cells above stairs as well as below". Dr. Fryer even saw a copy of Michael
Angelo's famous painting "Resurrection" in the Portico of Church Complex. The next visitor
was Italian Traveler Gemeli Carreri who visited this Church Complex in 1695 A.D. Carreri
tells that the Church and three Chapels in the Church Complex were richly guilt. He
describes spaciousness of the College and informs that it had five Cloisters with cells on
both sides. According to him, the Library of the College was well equipped with books and
commentaries on History and Morals. He also observed European fruit trees and vines like
that of Fig and Grapes being grown in the Orchard of Church Complex and tells that it
ripens in December and March respectively (Campbell 1882).
Architecturally, this Church and its Complex is better survived than others in the Fort. The
Church is a one of the best specimen of Renaissance Style of Architecture and also
represents the early mature phase of Church Architecture in North Konkan. It has vaulted
roof on its nave and on its altar, it has vaulted ribbed roof. The frontal portion of the Church
is much impressive. At the lowermost section, is provided entrance to the Church in true
Arch. Two floral Lotus symbols are present on the either top corner of the entrance. Two
Corinthian pillars flanks the either side of entrance. From the overall magnificence and
style of Architecture, it appears that along with the College, the Church too went under Re-
Construction or enlargement in 17th Century. The entrance is topped by a large square
shape window which in most probability could have had stained glasses. The topmost
window is Circular in shape and it too could have been provided with stained glasses. The
frontal portion has letters "IHS" which is an abbreviated form of original Hebrew "IHSOUS"
which denotes the Jesus Christ. This particular logo was popularized by Saint Bernadine of
Sienna (at present in Italy) in 1424 A.D. and was later adopted by the Jesuits solely. The
higher most portion is decorated with Sun and Moon motives on either sides. The Church
as usual is divided into Nave and Altar or Sanctum portions. At its Eastern end, a large Bell
Tower is present. The College adjacent to the Church can be accessed by the large entrance
decorated with Jesuit logo IHS and is provided with a date of enlargement/repairs i.e. 1636
A.D. It is flanked by two windows on either sides. The inner portion of the College has a
large square courtyard surrounded by Colonnades in four sides. The entire Church
Complex touches the fortification on the Southern side as it was among the earliest
structures which co-dated with the construction of fortification. The original structure
could have been multi storied.

4. Entrance to the St. Sebastian Fort (Image - 4)

A beautiful and monumental entrance to the original fortification of St. Sebastian Fort at
Vasai dating back to 1536 A.D. was constructed in 1606 A.D. The entrance which faces the

M.T. Vasai 12
Eastern direction is grand in every aspect. The arched entry is provided with a pair of
Corinthian pillars on both sides and at extreme sides are seen plain Doric/Tuscan pillars.
The arched entrance has lotus medallions on either side at its top. The portion above the
entrance has a slab which has from right Maltese Cross, a pair of Spears or Nails, a
Portuguese Coat of Arms topped by the Royal Crown, again a pair of Spears or Nails and
finally a Globe. Further above is seen an image groove flanked by Corinthian pilasters on
both sides. It is quite probable that in the early days of Portuguese occupation, this groove
might have had an image of St. Sebastian which from 1631 A.D. onwards could have been
replaced by St. Xavier as the Patron Saint of the city. The entire gate in built with dressed
stones.

5. St. Joseph Cathedral (Image - 5)

The original Church at the present site of St. Joseph Cathedral was built in 1546 A.D. by the
Portuguese Governor Joao de Castro on the orders of the Portuguese King John III. For the
maintenance of the Church, 300 Parados were sanctioned to it which in actuality were
meant for maintenance of Mosques in the region (Campbell 1882). Enlargement to the
entire complex was done in 1601 A.D. and for this auspicious moment were present the
Archbishop of Goa, Fri. Aleixo de Menzes and Revd. Pedro Galvao Pereira, the Vicar.
From the architectural point of view, this Church can be divided into the Entrance, Nave
and Altar portion. The entrance to the Church is arched and has a very heighted three
storey tower above. Above the arched entrance, an inscribed slab is fixed which tells us
about the enlargement of this Church Complex. The Church has a Baptistery on the right
side of Nave. On the roof of Baptistery, beautiful Portuguese mural is painted. One can see
face of heavenly angels in the mural after a careful look (Image - 5.1). It was here that the
Baptism of St. Goncalo Garcia was performed. On the left side of Baptistery is a tower
provided with curvilinear steps and which goes up to the level of Cathedral's roof. The nave
has one chapel on its left side. The Altar is as usual provided with vaulted ribbed roof.

6. Church and Convent of Dominicans (Image - 6)

The Dominican Order was founded by Saint Dominic (1187 - 1259 A.D.) in 1216 A.D. The
Dominican Order came to Goa in 1548 A.D. and by 1583 A.D. they constructed Church and
Convent in Vasai. Two dates (i.e. 1564 A.D. and 1583 A.D.) for the construction of Church
and its Complex is given the records (De'Silva 2010). In 1695 A.D. Italian Traveler Gemeli
Carreri had paid visit to this Church Complex on 15th May 1695. He tells about the big
Church and three chapels (Campbell 1882).
Architecturally, this Church and Convent is much spacious. The frontal entry to the Church
is provided by an arched entrance which has lotus medallion on either sides. On the each
side of entrance, one can see two image grooves on the either sides which could have been

M.T. Vasai 13
meant for installation of images of Saints. The Church as usual is divided in Nave and Altar.
The Altar is roofless but appears that once upon a time it had vaulted ribbed roof. The
Church has a massive Bell Tower on its Western side. There is a Convent attached to the
Church and which is much wide. Entrance to the Church is too provided with an arched
entrance which has an image groove above. The Convent inside has an open square
courtyard flanked on four sides by square colonnades.

7. Vajreshvari and Mahadev Temple (Image - 7 and 7.1)

The temples of Vajreshvari and Mahadev (at present called Nageshvar Temple) is situated
in front of the remains of Camara or the Town Hall. It has a 19th century British period "L"
shaped lake on its Eastern side and Dominican Church and Convent on its Western side.
Originally in the Portuguese period, at the place of this temple existed an open space which
was known as "Praca". Historically, it is said that the temple was built by the Peshwas after
emerging victorious in the famous Maratha-Portuguese War (1737 - 1739 A.D.). It is said
that the Peshwa General Chimaji Appa had promised goddess Vajreshvari for constructing
a temple in her honor if he succeeds in capturing Vasai Fort from the Portuguese.
Accordingly, to fulfill his promise, temples in honor of goddess Vajreshvari resembling like
a mini fortress first was constructed at Vajreshvari (Vajreshvari, Taluka - Vasai, District -
Thane) and the second inside the Fort. Subsequently, the temple for goddess Vajreshvari
was constructed inside the Fort. Various opinions have been put forward for the reason
behind the construction of Mahadev Temple, ranging from being a Commemorative
Monument where the mass cremation of Maratha soldiers was performed in 1739 A.D. to
being a mere a Monument of Victory. The same has to be confirmed.
Architecturally, the original temple was East faced and was a typical Peshwa period
structure of 18th Century. In 1970 A.D. renovation to the temple was done and it has
acquired its present form.

8. Shell Bath (Image - 8)

The luxurious Shell and Porcelain studded Shell Bath is situated on the former Portuguese
period street which ran straight from the Franciscan Church and Convent and opened at
the open Praca. The date of its construction is unknown but the bath structure reflects the
opulence of the city of Bacaim (Vasai) in the Portuguese period. Needless to mention here
the remarks of Dr. John Fryer, an English Traveler who visited Vasai in 1675 A.D. He tells
about the stately buildings which has large latticed or Oyster shell windows (Campbell
1882).
Architecturally, this bath structure is squarish in shape and was situated in a plot
surrounded in all corners by a retaining wall. It was entered from the North-Western side
of the outer wall. The bath was provided with steps on either sides with an arched groove

M.T. Vasai 14
present below the either sides of the frontal portion. It also had a wall at its back on its
Northern side which at present is mostly fallen.

Description of Drawings/Paintings/Photographs -

1. "Bacaim" (1635 A.D.) (Image - 9)

Colored Map cum Painting of the Vasai Fort from Antonio Bocarro's "Livro das Plantas de Todas as
Fortalalezas, Cidades e Povoacoes do Estado da India Oriental" 1635 A.D. Evora Edition, Portugal
Source - Evora Public Library, Portugal

This is a colored map cum painting of the Vasai Fort which appeared in Antonio Bocarro's 1635 A.D.
work "Livro das Plantas de Todas as Fortalalezas, Cidades e Povoacoes do Estado da India
Oriental". In this map cum painting, landscape of Vasai fort as it existed in 1635 A.D. can be
seen. From three sides, the Fort is surrounded by the sea water, whereas very small space
on the Land Gate side (Porta de Terra) is open to land. The original St. Sebastian
Fortification is shown in the middle, surrounded by the settlement in all sides. The entire
Portuguese settlement is protected by fortification equipped with 11 arrow tipped shape
bastions. Religious establishments like the Franciscan Church and Convent, Augustinian
Church and Convent, Jesuit Church and College, the Church of Our Lady of Life, St. Joseph
Cathedral and Dominican Church and Convent can be seen here. The Church of Nossa
Senhora da Saudade is not seen here as it was constructed much later. Interestingly, the
Northern side of the Fort is shown with residential structures which at present looks like
an empty space. The map cum painting is titled simply "Bacaim".

2. "Bacaim" (1635 / 1646 A.D. ?) (Image - 10)

Colored Map cum Painting of the Vasai Fort either from Antonio Bocarro's "Livro das Plantas de
Todas as Fortalalezas, Cidades e Povoacoes do Estado da India Oriental" 1635 A.D. or from Pedro
Barreto Resende's "Livro do Estado da India Oriental" 1646 A.D.
Source - British Library, London (?)

This is a colored map cum painting of the Vasai Fort which in most probability appeared in
Pedro Barreto Resende's work "Livro do Estado da India Oriental" in 1646 A.D. In
comparison with Antonio Bocarro's edition, this map cum painting appears to be more
detailed and vibrant in colors. Landscape and topography of the Vasai Fort and its
surroundings is perfectly captured here where the Fort is shown to be surrounded by sea
water in three side and open to land in North-West direction. Alongside the Fort, a village
settlement is too shown on the landside of the Fort. Here too, the original fortification of St.
Sebastian surrounded by larger residential and religious complexes can be seen. Religious
establishments in the Fort like the Franciscan Church and Convent, the Augustinian Church
and Convent, the Jesuit Church and College, the St. Joseph Cathedral, the Church of Our

M.T. Vasai 15
Lady of Life are visible. As said earlier, Church of Nossa Senhora de Saudade is not depicted
here as it was constructed later. Here too, the Northern portion of the Fort is shown full of
residential structures which at present appears to be a vacant place. Total 8 arrow tipped
shaped bastions shown here are provided herewith cannons and mortars whereas the rest
carry only mortars. As far as artillery is concerned, it is pertinent to mention here that the
Fort as late in 1728 A.D. had 90 cannons and 70 mortars of various caliber and ranges as
per the report of Portuguese Official Andre Ribeiro Coutinho (Campbell 1882). One
entrance on the land side in North-West direction and two entrances from the creek side in
South-East direction are shown. This map cum painting is titled "Bacaim".

3. "La Ville de Bacaim" (1734 A.D.) (Image - 11)

Black and White Map cum Drawing of the Vasai Fort from Jean-Francois Lafitau's (1681 - 1746
A.D.) "Illustrations de Histoire des decouvertes et Conquests des Portugais dans le Noureau Monde"
1734 A.D. France
Source - Bibliotheque Nationale de France, Paris

In this black and white map cum drawing of the Vasai Fort, a well planned settlement
inside the Fort is shown. It is not sure how much reality it reflected as far as planned civil
activities inside the Fort are concerned. It also does not show the proper location and
distribution of religious premises inside the Fort though it perfectly depicts 11 arrow
tipped shaped bastions and sea water surrounding the Fort on three sides. What appears to
be inside is a very dense Civil, Military and Religious structural clusters. Outside the Land
Gate or Porta de Terra, a Circular Bastion cum Tower is shown. From the drawing, it
appears that the author might have used the contemporary available works of Antonio
Bocarro or Pedro Barreto Resende or the Missionary literature and then might have refined
the map cum drawing. This map cum drawing is titled "La Ville de Bacaim" at the bottom.

4. "View of the North Face of Basseen at Surrender. December. 11 1780 (A.D.)" (Image
- 14)
Pen-Ink and Wash Drawing of the Vasai Fort by Captain Charles Reyonlds (1756 - 1819 A.D.)
Length 12.6 cm × Width 27 cm
Shelfmark - WD4165, Item Number - 4165
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

The pen-Ink and wash drawing shows the North-West side view of the Vasai Fort in the
year of 1780 A.D. Roofs and towers of Franciscan Church and Monastery and Jesuit Church
and College, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Vida and Dominican Church and Convent can
be seen rising above the walls of the Fort. Also, St. Joseph Cathedral is seen in distant. It
appears that the Dominican and Franciscan Churches were already become roofless by
1780 A.D. The Fort wall which was most probably breached at Our Lady of Remedies
M.T. Vasai 16
Bastion near the Land Gate or Porta De Terra/Cavalier Bastion and Reis Magos Bastion is
visible and the East India Company's Union Flag is seen flying atop the breached wall.
Behind the Fort, a row of hills is seen. At the right side of the drawing is a temporary
stockade like structure which could have been used for British siege operation of the Fort.
This drawing is of much importance as it shows the immediate condition of the Fort on its
day of surrender to the British forces (i.e. on 11th December, 1811) who laid siege to it
under the leadership of Captain James Hartley. The overall British operations against the
Marathas was led by Colonel Thomas Goddard. From the date of its surrender to March,
1782, when the Treaty of Salbai was signed between the British and Marathas, the Vasai
Fort remained in the control of East India Company and later was restored to Marathas.
This drawing inscribed by its creator as "View of the North Face of Basseen at Surrender.
December. 11 1780. Charles Reyonlds del".

5. "Basseen Fort" (1820 A.D.) (Image - 15)

Colored Painting of the Vasai Fort from Plate - 6 of Captain James Barton's (1794 - 1829 A.D.) "12
View of Hill Forts in the Western Ghats near Bombay", London, 1820
Length - 21.8 cm × Width 32.5 cm
Shelfmark - P158, Item Number - 158
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This is a colored lithograph of a view in the Vasai Fort by Rudolph Ackerman (1764 - 1834
A.D.) after Captain James Barton's Plate - 6 of "12 View of Hill Forts in the Western Ghats
near Bombay" published from London in 1820. In this beautiful painting which shows the
North-West view of the Jesuit Church of Holy Name and College and St. Peter's bastion
nearby to it, some probable portion of now mostly extinct Augustinian Convent of Our Lady
of Annunciation can be seen. In most probability, the artist himself dressed probably in his
uniform is shown seated beside a standing British soldier on the Saint Paul Bastion. One
person of possibly Brahmin caste is too shown seating on the parapet wall of Saint Paul
Bastion with sea water touching the Southern fortification perhaps in high tide. Though
vegetation is grown on the monuments inside the Fort, it does not appears to be that much
dense owing to stationing of a British contingent inside the fort after the Maratha
subjugation in 1818 A.D. The painting is inscribed by the artist "Basseen Fort" at the
bottom.

6. "View in Basseen Fort" (1820 A.D.) (Image - 16)

Colored Painting of the Vasai Fort from Plate - 7 of Captain James Barton's (1794 - 1829 A.D.) "12
View of Hill Forts in the Western Ghats near Bombay", London, 1820 A.D.
Length - 21.8 cm × Width 32.5 cm
Shelfmark - P159, Item Number - 159
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 17
This is a colored lithograph of a view in the Vasai Fort by Rudolph Ackerman (1764 - 1834
A.D.) after Captain James Barton's Plate - 6 of "12 View of Hill Forts in the Western Ghats
near Bombay" published from London in 1820. In this beautiful painting, portions of
Vajreshvari Temple and a front side of unknown structure in front of the Camara/Town
Hall, Dominican Church and Convent on the left side are visible. In the Portuguese period,
the area occupied by the present Peshwa period temples used to be an open space. After
the Maratha victory of Vasai in 1739 A.D. as per the promise given by the Peshwa General
of the campaign, Chimaji Appa, a temple dedicated to goddess Vajreshvari was built at the
former open space in most possibility after the death of Chimaji Appa in 1740 A.D. In this
painting, one person probably of Brahmin caste (was he the same one who appears in the
first painting of Captain James Barton ?) is shown seated on the platform of Deepmal in
front of the temple. A person seating nearby to him is pictured while smoking a pipe or
chilim. The painting is inscribed by the artist "View in Basseen Fort" at the bottom.

7. "F. 19 Bassein" (1821 A.D.) (Image - 18)

Pencil drawing of the Vasai Fort by George Boyd (1800 - 1850 A.D.) dated between 1821 - 1844 A.D.
Length - 23 cm × Width 35.6 cm
Shelfmark - WD247, Item Number - 19
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This is a pencil drawing by George Boyd (1800 - 1850 A.D.) dated between 1821 - 1844
A.D. and it is one of 95 drawings (90 folios) by him, mainly of monuments and landscapes
in the Deccan. In this drawing, the North-West side of the Vasai Fort is shown. The Land
Gate (Porta de Terra) and Cavalier Bastion, the roof and tower of Franciscan Church and
Convent just beside the Land Gate, perchance top portion of Augustinian Church and
Convent and perhaps the roofless Dominican Church and Convent with its tower are clearly
visible in this drawing. The sea water and boats with sails are depicted on the right side
which in actuality falls in the Southern side of the Fort. The drawing is inscribed with the
title "Bassein".

8. "Pagoda and Church in Fort of Bassein, 1828" (1828 A.D.) (Image - 19)
Colored Lithograph of the Vasai Fort by William Miller, dated 1828 A.D.
Length - 33.2 cm × Width 38.5 cm
Shelfmark - P2894, Item Number - 2894
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This is a colored lithograph of the Vasai Fort by William Miller dated to 1828 A.D. This
beautiful lithograph depicts the Peshwa period Vajreshvari Temple, the palace of the
General of the Province of the North standing behind the temple and the Church and
Convent of Dominicans on the left side. Strangely, simply in a course of 8 years, the
deepmal, flagstaff in front of the temple and structure situated right beside it are seem to
M.T. Vasai 18
have disappeared and are not shown in this lithograph. It appears that vegetation was
grown in abundance in the Church and Monastery of Dominicans and in the palace of the
General of the Province of the North.

9. "Distant View of the Fort of Bassein, taken from the Cooley Bridge, which separates
the Main Land from the Fishing Village of Bassein" (1857A.D.) (Image - 21)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort from Charles Scott's (1824 - 1892 A.D.) "Views in the old Fort of
Bassein", London, 1860 A.D.
Shelhmark - Photo 960/4(1), Item Number - 96041
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This view of the Vasai Fort is captured from Cooley Bridge which separates the mainland
from Bassein fishing village by Charles Scott in the late 1850's, most probably in 1857 A.D.
Scott could have meant "Koli Bridge" by his reference to "Cooley Bridge". A lone small
single sail boat is lying at the shore during low tide and two huts like structures are seen
near to it. At the back stands the Vasai Fort. Since where the "Cooley Bridge" stood is not
known at present, seeing the photo, it appears that the photo was taken from the South-
West direction of the Fort with an angle which could capture the fortification wall with St.
Sebastian Bastion at one end and St. Paul Bastion at the other end with a fortification wall
running from the St. Sebastian Bastion to the North-West towards the Land Gate or Porta
de Terra and Cavalier Bastion. It shows the Tower of the Church and College of Jesuits, a
probable portion now mostly disappeared Church and Convent of the Augustinians, a
probable Chimney of the Sugar Factory started in the premises of Nossa Senha da Vida
Church and the original St. Sebastian Fort, the Tower and Church of the Franciscans and the
Land Gate. Interestingly, this photograph also show a breach or systematic removal of a
portion of the fortification on the North-West direction adjacent to the Land Gate which
goes straight from this point to the South-East end of the Fort. It appears that around 1857
A.D. British had systematically cut a portion of fortification for a road which passed from
the Fort. Whether it were safeguarding attempts meant during the troublesome mutiny
days or were just meant for transport is hard to know at the present in absence of any
credible textual evidence.

10. "Old Fort of Bassein. Scenery, near the South Entrance of St. Mary's Church"
(1857 A.D.) (Image - 22)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort from Charles Scott's (1824 - 1892 A.D.) "Views in the old Fort of
Bassein", London, 1860 A.D.
Shelhmark - Photo 960/4(2), Item Number - 96042
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This photo of Vasai Fort is taken by Charles Scott in the late 1850's, most probably in 1857
A.D. The photo shows the St. Thomas Cathedral's altar's back side and Tower above its
M.T. Vasai 19
entrance. It also shows inner side of original Portuguese Factory which in later years was
converted to Public Granary. Scott refers to St. Thomas Cathedral as the "St. Mary Church".
This photo is taken either from the fortification wall attaching the Factory or from the St.
Paul Bastion which stands just adjacent to it. The Factory is completely covered with dense
vegetation and may be St. Thomas Cathedral had the same condition when this photograph
was shot.

11. "Old Fort of Bassein. West Front of St. John's Cathedral" (1857 A.D.) (Image - 23)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort from Charles Scott's (1824 - 1892 A.D.) "Views in the old Fort of
Bassein", London, 1860 A.D.
Shelhmark - Photo 960/4(3), Item Number - 96043
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

In this photo of Vasai Fort captured by Charles Scott in 1857 A.D. front portion of the
Church of Holy Name facing the West direction is shown. The Church is standing without
roof. Scott refers to the Church of Holy Name as the "St. John Cathedral".

12. "Old Fort of Bassein. North-West View of the Ruins of St. John's Cathedral" (1857
A.D.) (Image - 24)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort from Charles Scott's (1824 - 1892 A.D.) "Views in the old Fort of
Bassein", London, 1860 A.D.
Shelhmark - Photo 960/4(4), Item Number - 96044
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This photo of Vasai Fort taken by Charles Scott in the late 1850's, most probably in 1857
A.D. shows the Church and College of Jesuits from the North-West direction. Scott calls the
Church and College of Jesuits as the "St. John Cathedral". Why this perspective of Jesuit
Church Complex was favored by most of the artists despite of its complicated view is a
matter of curiosity. The Church is seen roofless and the Bell Tower seems to be in
somewhat good condition. This Church Complex too is seen with grown up vegetation at
most of the places.

13. "Old Fort of Bassein. Ruins of the Interior of the St. John's Cathedral" (1857 A.D.)
(Image - 25)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort from Charles Scott's (1824 - 1892 A.D.) "Views in the old Fort of
Bassein", London, 1860 A.D.
Shelhmark - Photo 960/4(5), Item Number - 96045
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This photo of Vasai Fort is clicked by Charles Scott in 1857 A.D. Though Charles Scott labels
the remains shown in the photo as "Ruins of the Interior of the St. John's Cathedral", it

M.T. Vasai 20
appears that he was mistaken in the identification of structure. Scott refers the Jesuit
Church of Holy Name and College as the "St. John's Cathedral". In actuality, the ruins seen in
the photo belongs to the Church and Convent of Augustinians (Our Lady of Annunciations)
which stands right in front of the Church and College of the Jesuits at some distance on
Western side. This photo is taken from backside of the Augustinian Church and Convent
ruins which by that time were somewhat visible. Open space in front of the Church
Complex is visible and this photo, as said earlier could have clicked from the fortification
standing behind the Church Complex or from the St. Paul Bastion. Scott might have referred
it as a part of the Jesuit Church Complex as it stands just in front of it and also, as he was
taking photographs of the Jesuit Complex either from the open space available near the
Southern fortification or from the Southern fortification (except of the front portion of the
Church of Holy Name) which could have made him to believe the visible ruins of the
Augustinian Church Complex as that of the Jesuit Church Complex.

14. "Old Fort of Bassein. Distant View of the Cathedral of St. James" (1857 A.D.)
(Image - 26)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort from Charles Scott's (1824 - 1892 A.D.) "Views in the old Fort of
Bassein", London, 1860 A.D.
Shelhmark - Photo 960/4(6), Item Number - 96046
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This photo of the Vasai Fort is taken by Charles Scott in 1857 A.D. In this photograph, a
portion of the South-Western fortification nearby St. Sebastian Bastion and the Bell Tower
of the Church and Convent of Franciscans at the right can be seen. Scott refers to the
Franciscan Church Complex as the "Cathedral of St. James". It appears that Scott has clicked
this photograph from the ground level of an area West to the ruins of Augustinian Church
Complex. The premises of Franciscan Church Complex is seen engulfed in vegetation.

15. "Old Fort of Bassein. St. James Cathedral" (1857 A.D.) (Image - 27)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort from Charles Scott's (1824 - 1892 A.D.) "Views in the old Fort of
Bassein", London, 1860 A.D.
Shelhmark - Photo 960/4(7), Item Number - 96047
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This photo of the St. James Cathedral in Vasai Fort is taken by Charles Scott in 1857 A.D.
Scott calls the Church and Convent of Franciscans as the "St. James Cathedral". In this
photo, a portion of open courtyard of the Convent and the broken Bell Tower is seen. The
Church of St. Antonio/Anthony was already roofless. This photo is clicked from the Eastern
side of the colonnade inside the Convent. Grown vegetation inside the Convent and Church
can be spotted here.

M.T. Vasai 21
16. "Old Fort of Bassein. Ruins of the Interior of St. James Cathedral" (1857 A.D.)
(Image - 28)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort from Charles Scott's (1824 - 1892 A.D.) "Views in the old Fort of
Bassein", London, 1860 A.D.
Shelhmark - Photo 960/4(8), Item Number - 96048
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This photo of the ruins of the interior of St. James Cathedral was shot by Charles Scott
probably in 1857 A.D. Scott calls the Church and Convent of Franciscans as the "St. James
Cathedral". The photo shows the interior of St. Antonio/Anthony Church with altar and
subsidiary chapels on the left. The Church is roofless. The scene is shot from the first half of
nave of the Church which divides itself at an overhanging stone arch. The Church floor is
seen strewn with debris and is covered with vegetation.

17. "Bassein, Ruins of - Inside the Inner Fort" (1855 - 62 A.D.) (Image - 29)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort from William Johnson's "Photographs of Western India - Vol. II" 1855 -
1862 A.D.
Source - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States
This is photo of the Vasai Fort clicked by William Johnson between 1850 - 59 A.D. In this
photo, South-West view of the Church and College of Jesuits and a beautiful arched
colonnade just in front of it can be seen. Two persons are shown sitting, first in native dress
near the Colonnade and second wearing shirt and paint at the back portion of Jesuit Church
Complex. The photo appears to have clicked from the ground level from the Eastern side of
Augustinian Church Complex. The condition of Jesuit Church Complex appears good.
Vegetation is seen grown on the Colonnade and the Jesuit Church Complex.

18. "Bassein, Ruins of - Entrance to the Inner Fort" (1855 - 62 A.D.) (Image - 30)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort from William Johnson's "Photographs of Western India - Vol. II" 1855 -
1862 A.D.
Source - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

This photo of the Vasai Fort is taken by William Johnson probably during 1855 - 1862 A.D.
In what appears to be one of the first photos of the entrance to the original St. Sebastian
Fort captured by Camera, condition of the entrance as it then existed can be seen. It is
clearly seen that the pilasters on the both side are absent from their respective places and a
huge tree is grown up on the right side of entrance and even a person is sitting on a tree at
the top ! A number of people seen standing at or near the entrance. At the extreme right
stands a person. At the base of pilasters are seen two women, one seating and the second
on left standing. Two persons with hat in Western attire are standing in the middle of
entrance and both appears to be Europeans. There is another person standing at the
entrance on left side while the second is seen standing in parallel position with him at the

M.T. Vasai 22
left. At extreme left are seen two people standing, the one being on the extreme left
wearing a headgear. In most probability, the second from the extreme left, the first person
standing right on the left of entrance and the person sitting on the top of tree seem to be of
Siddi community. Vegetation is seen grown up on the entrance and inner fortification.

19. "Bassein, Ruins of - St. Paul" (1855 - 62 A.D.) (Image - 31)

Photograph of the Vasai Fort from William Johnson's "Photographs of Western India - Vol. II" 1855 -
1862 A.D.
Source - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

This is photo of the Vasai Fort shot by William Johnson probably during 1855 - 1869 A.D. In
this beautiful photo, the Church of the Holy Name and a portion of the Jesuit College is
captured from North-West direction. Johnson calls the Church of Holy Name as the St. Paul
Cathedral. Normal vegetation is seen growing on the Church. Total five persons are seen in
this photo, the first being inside the Church, two standing in front of the Church in native
dress and two in front of the entrance to the College. The one is standing and the second
appears to be lying on a fallen stone. Except of two persons standing in front of the Church,
all seem to be Europeans.

20. "Bassein, Ruins of - Inside the Jesuit College" (1855 - 62 A.D.) (Image - 32)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort from William Johnson's "Photographs of Western India - Vol. II" 1855 -
1862 A.D.
Source - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

This is a photo of the Vasai Fort captured by William Johnson during 1855 - 1862 A.D. In
this photo, interior of the St. Antonio/Anthony Church is shown to which Johnson
mistakenly refers as the "Jesuit College". This photo too is shot from the first half of the
Church nave near the overhanging stone arch. Altar at the extreme end and subsidiary
chapels on the right and left can be seen. A portion of Bell Tower is visible at the left top of
this photo. The floor is mostly occupied by fallen debris and vegetation.

21. "Bassein, Ruins of - Ruined Tower" (1855 - 62 A.D.) (Image - 33)

Photograph of the Vasai Fort from William Johnson's "Photographs of Western India - Vol. II" 1855 -
1862 A.D.
Source - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

This photo of the Vasai Fort is captured by William Johnson may be during 1855 - 1862 A.D.
In this photo, a ruined Bell tower and surrounding structures covered with highly dense
vegetation are shown which makes it somewhat difficult to identify as far as its association
with the Fort is concerned. It is quite possible that this Bell Tower belongs to the Church
and Convent of the Dominicans and might have been captured from the Eastern side of the

M.T. Vasai 23
Church Complex i.e. its immediate back portion. It is quite also possible that it belongs to
the Church and Convent of Franciscans or the Church and Convent of the Augustinians but
chances for the same are low. A large portion of the monument is seen fallen below on the
right side and total four people are seen on the extreme right of the Photo. Both persons on
the extreme right are standing and two on left to them are shown seating. All three wear
native dresses while that the second from the right is in Western attire.

22. "Bassein, Ruins of - St. Francis Xaviers" (1855 - 62 A.D.) (Image - 34)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort from William Johnson's "Photographs of Western India - Vol. II" 1855 -
1862 A.D.
Source - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

This photo of the Vasai Fort is taken by William Johnson probably during 1855 - 1862 A.D.
This photo shows the front portion of St. Antonio/St. Anthony Church taken from the
position at former Portuguese period road direct opposite to it at some distance and which
opens finally at Camara. Johnson calls it "Ruins of St. Francis Xaviers". Thick growth of
vegetation can be seen grown on the Church and on the both sides of road direct oppowite
to it. One European person is shown standing on the right side of the photo at the front
portion of the Church.

23. "Bassein, Ruins of - Benedictine Chapel" (1855 - 62 A.D.) (Image - 35)

Photograph of the Vasai Fort from William Johnson's "Photographs of Western India - Vol. II" 1855 -
1862 A.D.
Source - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

This photo of the Vasai Fort is shot by William Johnson probably during 1855 - 1862 A.D. In
this photo, a beautiful view of the St. Joseph Cathedral is shown. A tree is grown on the
frontal portion of it. A party of person is seen camping in front of the Cathedral. Among the
four near the tent in native dresses, one is standing on the extreme right and the rest three
are seating on the right in photo. A dog is too seen near them. On left to them, one woman is
seen standing near bushes. At left side of the photo, on the road near the Cathedral, three
persons are shown. The two are standing on the both sides of a horse while the person in
the middle is seen on the horseback. The person on horse and the person on the left in
photo are in Western attire while the one in right is in native dress. Dense vegetation can
be seen grown on the both sides of the road.

24. "Bassein, Ruins of - Hindoo Temple and Tower" (1855 - 62 A.D.) (Image - 36)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort from William Johnson's "Photographs of Western India - Vol. II" 1855 -
1862 A.D.
Source - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

M.T. Vasai 24
This is a photo captured by one unknown Photographer belonging to the group of William
Johnson probably during 1855 - 1862 A.D. In this photo, Peshwa period Vajreshvari
Temple, "L" shaped lake dug during the British period, the Church and Bell Tower of the
Church and Convent of Dominicans and the palace of the General of the North can clearly be
seen. It seems that this photo is taken from some high position, most probably from the
Church of Nossa Senhora da Vida or from a temporary erected structure meant for
photography. Three native persons can be seen in the temple premises, two being standing
on the Eastern side of the temple and one person sitting in the Western side of the temple.
This photograph offers us of a rare view of the original Vajreshvari Temple built in the
Peshwa regime. Sadly, we do not know about the Photographer of this photo who caught
this beautiful snapshot.

25. "Bassein, Thana District. Entrance to the Chapel of the Dominican Convent" (1898
A.D.) (Image - 37)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort by Henry Cousens (1854 - 1933 A.D.) in "Progress Report of the
Archaeological Survey of India, Western Circle", Bombay, 1898 A.D.
Length 20.4 cm × Width 24.6 cm
Shelfmark - Photo 1009/5 (1556), Item Number - 1556
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This photo of the Vasai Fort is shot by Henry Cousens of ASI in 1898 A.D. The photo this
photo shows an entrance in the Church and Convent of Dominicans. It is evident that
vegetation is grown on walls of the structure.

26. "Bassein, Than District. Entrance to the Church of the Jesuits [Church of the Holy
Name of Jesus]" (1898 A.D.) (Image - 38)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort by Henry Cousens (1854 - 1933 A.D.) in "Progress Report of the
Archaeological Survey of India, Western Circle", Bombay, 1898 A.D.
Length 28.8 cm × Width 23.3 cm
Shelfmark - Photo 1009/5 (1557), Item Number - 1557
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This a photo of the Vasai Fort clicked by Henry Cousenes in 1898 A.D. The beautiful photo
shows the frontal portion of the Church of Holy Name of Jesus and side entrance to the
Church as well to the Jesuit Convent. A hat bearing bearded person wearing jacket looking
at the top portion of the Holy Name Church of Jesus is seen in this photo. The Church seem
to be in good condition with vegetation grown on the side entrance to the Convent. Cousens
was surprised to see Sindh tiles being used in the Church and attempts to draw possible
relation between the Vasai Fort and Sindh.

M.T. Vasai 25
27. "Bassein, Thana District. Side Entrance to the Church of the Jesuits [Church of the
Holy Name of Jesus] (1989 A.D.) (Image - 39)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort by Henry Cousens in "Progress Report of the Archaeological Survey of
India, Western Circle", Bombay, 1898 A.D.
Length 28.1 cm × Width 22 cm
Shelfmark - Photo 1009/5 (1558), Item Number - 1558
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This is a photograph of the Vasai Fort taken by Henry Cousens in 1898 A.D. This photo
shows a side entrance to the Church of the Holy Name as well an entry to the College of
Jesuits. A hat wearing spectacled person dressed in Western attire with long black beard is
seen standing on the left side of the entrance, holding notes/papers in his right hand and a
stick in his left hand. It is not known who the person is.

28. "Bassein. Thana District. Old Shell Bath (1989 A.D.) (Image - 40)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort by Henry Cousens (1854 - 1933 A.D.) in "Progress Report of the
Archaeological Survey of India, Western Circle", Bombay, 1898 A.D.
Length 21.2 cm × Width 26.6 cm
Shelfmark - Photo 1009/5 (1559), Item Number - 1559
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This is a photo of the Vasai Fort shot by Henry Cousens of ASI in 1898 A.D. This beautiful
captures the delicate Shell Bath as it then existed. Though overgrown with vegetation in
every direction, the Bath seemed to have maintained its beauty. The Shell Bath is situated
on a former Portuguese road which runs straight from the Camara or Town Hall to the
Church and Convent of Franciscans. One person is shown seated on the Western side of the
Bath and could have been used as a human scale.

29. "Bassein, Thana District. Great Archway in Franciscan Church" (1898 A.D.) (Image
- 41)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort by Henry Cousens (1854 - 1933 A.D.) in "Progress Report of the
Archaeological Survey of India, Western Circle", Bombay, 1898 A.D.
Length 22 cm × Width 27.1 cm
Shelfmark - Photo 1009/5 (1560), Item Number - 1560
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This photo is shot by Henry Cousens of ASI in 1898 A.D. May be for the first time, this
photo shows the Eastern portion of the Church of St. Antanio/Anthony. Till now, photos
were clicked from the first half of the nave which used to capture Western side of the
Church. The photo which is clicked from the second half of the nave from the Western side,

M.T. Vasai 26
shows the interior as well as exterior (facade) of the Church. As usual, inside it is full of
debris and vegetation. On the left of the photo, one native person is seen standing.

30. "Bassein. Thana District. Colonnade in the Monastery of the Jesuits (1989 A.D.)
(Image - 42)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort by Henry Cousens (1854 - 1933 A.D.) in "Progress Report of the
Archaeological Survey of India, Western Circle", Bombay, 1898 A.D.
Length 15.7cm × Width 11.1 cm
Shelfmark - Photo 1009/5 (1561), Item Number - 1561
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This photo of the Vasai Fort is captured by Henry Cousens of ASI in1898 A.D. In this photo,
a colonnade of the Church and Convent of the Jesuits is shown. This photo in most
probability might have been clicked from the Western side of the Convent when it is
entered through the Northern side entrance of the Convent near the Church of the Holy
Name. Fallen debris and somewhat grown vegetation can be seen here.

31. "Bassein. Thana District. Entrance to the Citadel of the Fort (1989 A.D.) (Image -
43)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort by Henry Cousens (1854 - 1933 A.D.) in "Progress Report of the
Archaeological Survey of India, Western Circle", Bombay, 1898 A.D.
Length 15.2 cm × Width 11.2 cm
Shelfmark - Photo 1009/5 (1562), Item Number - 1562
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This is a photo of the Vasai Fort taken by Henry Cousens of ASI in 1898 A.D. This photo
captures once again the entry to the original St. Sebastian Fort. No one is present near the
entrance and it is seen overgrown with vegetation. The photo is clicked from the Eastern
side of the St. Sebastian Fort.

32. "Bassein, Thana District. Front of the Franciscan Church" (1898 A.D.) (Image - 44)
Photograph of the Vasai Fort by Henry Cousens (1854 - 1933 A.D.) in "Progress Report of the
Archaeological Survey of India, Western Circle", Bombay, 1898 A.D.
Length 15.5 cm × Width 11.5 cm
Shelfmark - Photo 1009/5 (1563), Item Number - 1563
Source - Online Gallery, British Library, London

This a photo taken by Henry Cousens of ASI in 1898 A.D. The photo shows the frontal
portion of the Church and Convent of the Franciscans. It is evident from the photo that is
engulfed in vegetation.

M.T. Vasai 27
Epilogue -

The present article by the way of chronological presenting of art works relating to the Vasai
Fort has not only attempted to show the Fort in various forms of realistic depictions in
different mediums of art works but has also tried to show the Fort in its various phases of
structural and architectural activities. While doing so, though at one hand it has tried to
build up a repository of art works related to the actual depiction of the Fort which has
enhanced our artistic and aesthetic perception of the Fort while on the other, it has raised
some more issues related to structural deterioration of structures inside the Fort and of the
Fort itself. To elaborate the issue in some detail, one has to bear in the mind the ruinous
condition of the structures inside the Fort and its fortification as it is seen from the late
18th century onwards and at the present. Few of the structures have been subjected to
conservation works by the ASI and which has tried to maintain them as they are existing.
But the question which comes in the mind of everyone who visits this Fort is that about the
deterioration which the giant structures inside the Fort suffered in a relatively very small
period. The massiveness and the beauty of the structures inside the Fort and that of the
Fortification is evident to anyone who carefully observe them. As said earlier, structural
activities inside the Fort represents one of the earliest phase of Indo-European Art and
Architecture not only in the North Konkan but also of India. Apart from the Vasai Fort, it is
the only Revdanda Fort in North Konkan which has such gigantic remains of Indo-
Portuguese Art and Architectural category. Sadly, the condition in Revdanda Fort is much
complicated due to unplanned urbanism and heavy deterioration that the structures inside
the Fort have suffered till date. In comparison to the Revdanda Fort, we are fortunate to
find sub-structures within the Fort in a comparative better position owing to specific
economical and historical contexts. Thus, considering the importance of the Monument in
professional sense or mere by sheer attraction of it, the blame game for causing destruction
of the Fort and the possible agency responsible for it starts and is orchestrated vehemently
at present. Therefore apart from the technical, engineering faults that might have been in-
built in the structures and environmental and climatic reasons that could have caused the
deterioration of the Monument; one has to also look into human and societal agency factors
which could have posed the major claim for the destruction of the Monument. In brief, it is
better to have a look of them though they form a content of another piece of writing
especially focused on it.
It is clear that during the Portuguese period, despite of lack of funds, rampant corruption or
official apathy; all most all the structures inside the Fort were in relatively very much
better condition. The structures in the Defense category had to be maintained carefully
since it were they which were supposed to defend the settlement, then there were
ecclesiastical structures which were more associated with the faith of people and were also
a part of well defined Portuguese State and bureaucratic structure. It were followed by the

M.T. Vasai 28
civil structures which were supposed to be a part of Portuguese administrative affairs to
govern the land and country under its possession and finally by individual residential
complexes which in Vasai were at the most of the occasion belonged to elite class. Richness
and luxury of Vasai's elites was much famous. Most of the Defense, Religious and Civil
structures inside the fort were continuously re-built, enlarged or repaired. But as far as
defense structures are concerned, which include the Fort, its fortification and even few
religious structures like the St. Joseph Cathedral which was provided with four cannons
(Campbell 1882), the entire affairs appears to be was much shoddy, in one reads
Portuguese Official Andre Rebeiro Coutinho's report (1728 A.D.) on the fortification and
defense arrangement of the Province of the North which he criticized heavily, then one can
realize the shoddy state of affairs in the Province of the North. Apart from ill equipped and
trained personals, at many occasions he points out to repairs that the fortification need
urgently. It is yet to be ascertained what measures were taken for the Vasai Fort in view of
the Maratha threat which was constantly rising after Bajirao I became the Peshwa, more
particularly from 1721 A.D. onwards. It is without doubt that structures inside the Fort,
peculiarly the lofty religious structures must have suffered heavy damages due to heavy
Maratha shelling, more precisely in the last few months (February to May) of Maratha-
Portuguese struggle in 1739 A.D. How much they were destroyed is also need to be
ascertained. But Clause 12th of the Maratha-Portuguese Treaty (Pissurlekar 1975 : 331)
informs us only of one Church inside the Fort which was mentioned in the treaty to be
remained opened for worshippers apart from second in the vicinity of Bassein and the
third Salsette island. All most all of the religious establishment partly due to its fortified
nature and partly for unknown reasons were destroyed by the Marathas during the
Maratha - Portuguese war campaign (1737 - 1739 A.D.). It leaves us in doubt as far as
structural safety or the continuance of the Churches/Religious Complexes within the Fort
are concerned. The northern side fortification (St. Sebastian, Cavalier and Remedies
Bastions) was much damaged according to the Maratha and Portuguese records; where
repeated shelling and mine blasts had caused breaches. There are some scholars (De'silva
2004) who have casted doubt on the possibility of being St. Sebastian Bastion completely
destroyed in Maratha shelling. According to them, the St. Sebastian Bastion was not
completely damaged though partially and there are no supporting evidences in the Peshwa
records for its repair or re-construction if at all it was destroyed (ibid). This issue also need
to be checked in the Maratha records (also in the British and Portuguese records) to asses
in actuality the damages that the Fort and inside structures had suffered in Maratha-
Portuguese war (1737 - 1739 A.D.) and whether any attempts were made up in Maratha
rule in the North Konkan with its headquarter at Vasai Fort for its repair or re-construction
as we get clearly for other defense structures like Arnala Fort, Thane Fort, Shirgaon Fort,
Tarapur Fort, Dahanu Fort etc. It is crystal bright that Marathas took away with themselves
the bells which were used in the Portuguese religious establishments from the entire
Province of the North and installed them in numerous Hindu temples in Maharashtra

M.T. Vasai 29
(Tendulkar 2008). A photograph of such bell (Image - 47) is provided here which the
author has photographed in Vitthal-Rukhmini Temple at Pandharpur (District - Solapur,
Maharashtra). Though in the Maratha rule, Vasai was made the headquarter of a separate
and quite large Maratha Subah , it is not really clear that how much real administrative
affairs of the Peshwa officials in actuality ran from the Vasai Fort like that from Kalyan or
Thane. Religious tolerance existed in Maratha rule as attested by travel testimonies of
Joseph Tieffenthaler (1750 A.D.) and Anquetill du Perron (1760 A.D.). However, Marathas
were not fortunate to hold the control of Vasai Fort for much long. Once East India
Company captured Thane in 1775 A.D. the fortunes of Vasai Fort started wavering. By 1774
A.D. the Maratha defense arrangements inside and in the vicinity of the Fort were so much
pathetic that from the letter dated 29th April 1774 A.D. addressed to the Peshwas, we come
to know that there were only three cannons inside the Fort besides 250 -300 men for its
and region's protection ! The outcome was disastrous. British after laying siege to the Fort
and continuous shelling the Fort for at least twenty days, won the Fort on 11the December
1780 A.D. Damages caused to the Fort by heavy shelling is pretty evident by the drawing of
the Fort on the day of its surrender by Captain Charles Reynolds dated to 11th December
1780 A.D. The Fort wall was considerably breached at the Cavalier and Remedies Bastion.
As explained before, the religious complexes of the Franciscan and Dominicans had already
become roofless by that time. The Vasai Fort was restored to Marathas after the Treaty of
Salbai (March, 1783) mediated through the Maratha strongman Mahadaji Scindia. It is
again need to be checked from the British and the Peshwa documents whether the
fortification was repaired in meanwhile by the British, possibility for which remains very
much remote or by the Peshwas after taking control of the Fort in 1783 A.D. Later though
in 1802 A.D. Peshwa Bajirao II was in the Vasai Fort for taking refuge, the British had built a
large palm-tree stockade at Sopara for protection of the Peshwa by regulating the entry to
the Vasai Fort from mainland (Campbell 1882) ! How much was done by them for
strengthening the Fort during very short stay of the Peshwa Bajirao II in 1802 A.D. is not
much known. It is quite exaggerated to assume the strengthening of the Fort during the
regime of Peshwa Bajirao II. Finally when the Marathas were defeated in the battle of
Khadki by the British in 1817 A.D. all Peshwa possessions subsequently came under the
control of East India Company by 1818 A.D. After routing Marathas, no major threat was
left to the British in the Deccan, so apparently the question of maintaining such large
fortifications was out of place. Still, the British were much cautious for not giving any
possible chances for shifting away the balance of power once again to the native powers. In
a survey of the fortifications existing in Northern Konkan by Captain Thomas Dickinson in
1818 A.D. a proposal to convert the Fort in a prison was moved. He also categorically wrote
about negligible military value of the Fort and its pathetic condition and how even a single
house within the Fort was not in condition to reside. A small British contingent was kept
there under the command of a British Conductor of Ordnance but the Fort was kept locked
thereafter. Subsequent travelers like Bishop Heber (1828 A.D.) and Mrs. Postans (1838

M.T. Vasai 30
A.D.) have virtually described the Fort as the city of ruins where most of the structures
were covered with vegetation. The same has also been attested by artistic works of the Fort
which are described above and portray actual condition of the Fort as it then existed. In the
British period, as mentioned earlier, the Fort premises was granted to few families on lease
and who tried to use it for commercial purpose by starting a Sugar Factory right inside the
Fort and within the premises of its structure with a little success. They also cultivated a
portion of land inside the Fort which hampered the attempts by the British Government to
carry out any significant repair activities within (Ibid). Though Henry Cousens inform us
that retired Major Littlewood took great interest in structure inside the Fort, few scholars
(Cunha 1875, De'Silva 69 : 2004) blames the spoiled administrative measures in the British
period which dared the proprietor of the Fort to sell stones of structures inside the Fort by
blasting structures or robbing them off from the site to outsiders ! Even the photographs of
1857 A.D. shows how even Corinthian pilasters of the entrance to the St. Sebastian Fort
were absent by that time ! One important thing to mention here is of the presence of two
Portuguese period doors in the churches (Church of Our Blessed Lady of Remedy [Image -
48] and Sandor Church of St. Thomas Apostle [Image - 49]) which were mostly constructed
or re-constructed in the British period in 19th century. According to the present Church
authorities, they were brought from the Fort. The Church at Dhauli (Remedy) was built in
1821 A.D. and the second at Sandor was mostly re-built in 1838 and 1858 A.D. by the
Government and Private subscription (Ibid). One important point to mention here is that
the final resting place of Retd. Major Littlewood is too at Church of Our Blessed Lady of
Remedy when he died in 1881 A.D. (De'Silva 2010) ! Therefore it is quite probable that he
might have either gifted or donated the door of a structure (most probably a religious
structure) to the Remedy Church during his tenancy of the Fort. The same has to be
authenticated. The condition must have remained the same till 1909 A.D. when the Vasai
Fort was declared as the Protected Monument by the then British Government of India.
It is clear from the above brief discussion that the deterioration of the fortification might
have been started in all probability in the last few decades of the Portuguese rule and was
accentuated in the Peshwa period. During the British period, the problem was highly
aggravated and the fortification and the structures inside the Fort suffered much damages
either due to natural or manmade reasons.
Though the article is concluded here with a very brief discussion of possible reasons
behind the deterioration of the Fort and structures inside it, as written above, it also
suggest for more textual inquiry in keeping mind the material remains and its state of
affairs in historical, socio-economical context. It is quite possible that in the near future,
maybe more art works related to the Vasai Fort will come to light and hence, the scope and
aim of the present topic will widen further and will enlighten us more about the artistic and
structural history of the Fort.

M.T. Vasai 31
References -

Campbell, James. 1881. Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency – Thana (3 Volumes) Mumbai:
Department of Gazetteers, Maharashtra

Campbell, James and Edwards, S. 1909. Gazetteer of the Bombay City and Island (3
Volumes) Mumbai: Department of Gazetteers, Maharashtra

Cousens, Henry. 1898. Progress Report of Archaeological Survey of Western Circle Bombay :
Government Publications

Cunha, G.D. 2004. Origin of Bombay New Delhi: Asian Education Services

1993. Notes on the History and Antiquities of Chaul and Bassein New Delhi:
Asian Education Services

D’Silva, Rajin .2004. Vasaiche Ragel aani Rangel Portuguese Vasai: Dimple Publications
.2010. Vasaicha Killa Vasai: Alviyani Publication

Kelkar, Y.N. 2008. Vasaichi Mohim Pune: Diamond Publications

Khobarekar, V.G. 2002. Konkan - From the Earliest to 1818 AD Pune: Snehvardhan
Publishing House

Kulkarni, B.V. 2009. Mumbai Parisaratil Arthat Ekekalchya Firanganatil Kille Mumbai:
Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Maharashtra

Nairne, A.K. History of Konkan Mumbai: Department of Gazetteers, Maharashtra

Naravane, M.S. 2001. The Heritage Sites of Maritime Maharashtra Delhi: D.K. Agencies

Pissurlekar, P.S. 1967. Portuguese-Marathe Sambandh Pune: Pune University

.1975. The Portuguese and The Marathas Bombay: State Board for
Literature and Culture

Taylor, R. and Schaff, L. 2007. Impressed by Light - British Photographers from Paper
Negatives 1840 - 1860 A.D. New York: Metropolitan Museum of
Art

Tendulkarm Mahesh. 2008. Hindu Devalayatil Portuguese Ghanta Pune: Snehal Prakashan

Peshwa Daftar Vol. 16 and 35

M.T. Vasai 32
Websites –
1. Wikimapia 3. Google Earth 4. Evora Public Library, Portugal 5. British Library, London 6.
Southern Methodist University Library, Dallas, Texas 7. Barton Historical Society
[Link] 9. University of Chicago Digital Library 10. [Link] 11. Wikipedia

M.T. Vasai 33
Images -

1. Google Earth Image of the Vasai Fort and Modern Koliwada in its South Side

1.1. Front Portion of St. Antonio Church (Franciscan Church and Monastery)

M.T. Vasai 34
2. Church and Convent of Augustinians

2.1. Church and Convent of Augustinians

M.T. Vasai 35
3. Church of the Holy Name of Jesus and Jesuit College

4. Gate/Entrance to St. Sebastian Fort

M.T. Vasai 36
5. St. Thomas Cathedral

M.T. Vasai 37
5.1 Mural in the Baptistery of St. Joseph Cathedral

6. Church and Convent of Dominicans

M.T. Vasai 38
 7. Vajreshvari Temple

7.1. Mahadev (Nageshvar Temple)

M.T. Vasai 39
 8. Shell Bath

9. "Bacaim" (1635 A.D.) Courtesy - Evora Public Library Portugal

M.T. Vasai 40
 10. "Bacaim" (1635 / 1646 A.D. ?) Courtesy - British Library, London (?)

11. "La Ville de Bacaim" (1734 A.D.) Courtesy - Bibliotheque Nationale de France, Paris

M.T. Vasai 41
12. Jean-Francois Lafitau

13. Cover Page of Book by Jean-Francois Lafitau

M.T. Vasai 42
14. "View of the North Face of Basseen at Surrender. December. 11 1780 (A.D.)"
Courtesy - British Library, London

15. "Basseen Fort" (1820 A.D.) Courtesy - British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 43
16. "View in Basseen Fort" (1820 A.D.) Courtesy - British Library, London

17. Captain James Barton (probable) Courtesy - British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 44
 18. "F. 19 Bassein" (1821 A.D.) Courtesy - British Library, London

19. "Pagoda and Church in Fort of Bassein, 1828" (1828 A.D.) Courtesy - British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 45
 20. William Miller (probable) Courtesy - British Library, London

21. "Distant View of the Fort of Bassein, taken from the Cooley Bridge, which separates the Main
Land from the Fishing Village of Bassein" (1857A.D.) Courtesy - British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 46
22. "Old Fort of Bassein. Scenery, near the South Entrance of St. Mary's Church" (1857 A.D.)
Courtesy - British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 47
23. "Old Fort of Bassein. West Front of St. John's Cathedral" (1857 A.D.)
Courtesy - British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 48
24. "Old Fort of Bassein. North-West View of the Ruins of St. John's Cathedral" (1857 A.D.)
Courtesy - British Library, London

25. "Old Fort of Bassein. Ruins of the Interior of the St. John's Cathedral" (1857 A.D.)
Courtesy - British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 49
 26. "Old Fort of Bassein. Distant View of the Cathedral of St. James" (1857 A.D.)
Courtesy - British Library, London

27. "Old Fort of Bassein. St. James Cathedral" (1857 A.D.) Courtesy - British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 50
28. "Old Fort of Bassein. Ruins of the Interior of St. James Cathedral" (1857 A.D.)
Courtesy - British Library, London

29. "Bassein, Ruins of - Inside the Inner Fort" (1855 - 62 A.D.)

Courtesy - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

M.T. Vasai 51
30. "Bassein, Ruins of - Entrance to the Inner Fort" (1855 - 62 A.D.)
Courtesy - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

31. "Bassein, Ruins of - St. Paul" (1855 - 62 A.D.)

Courtesy - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

M.T. Vasai 52
32. "Bassein, Ruins of - Inside the Jesuit College" (1855 - 62 A.D.)
Courtesy - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

33."Bassein, Ruins of - Ruined Tower" (1855 - 62 A.D.)

Courtesy - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

M.T. Vasai 53
 34. "Bassein, Ruins of - St. Francis Xaviers" (1855 - 62 A.D.)
Courtesy - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

35. "Bassein, Ruins of - Benedictine Chapel" (1855 - 62 A.D.)

Courtesy - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

M.T. Vasai 54
 36. "Bassein, Ruins of - Hindoo Temple and Tower (1855 - 62 A.D.)
Courtesy - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States

37. "Bassein, Thana District. Entrance to the Chapel of the Dominican Convent" (1898 A.D.)
Courtesy - British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 55
38. "Bassein, Than District. Entrance to the Church of the Jesuits [Church of the Holy Name of
Jesus]" (1898 A.D.) Courtesy - British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 56
39. "Bassein, Thana District. Side Entrance to the Church of the Jesuits [Church of the Holy Name of
Jesus] (1989 A.D.) Courtesy - British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 57
40. "Bassein. Thana District. Old Shell Bath (1989 A.D.) Courtesy - British Library, London

41. "Bassein, Thana District. Great Archway in Franciscan Church" (1898 A.D.)
Courtesy - British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 58
42. "Bassein. Thana District. Colonnade in the Monastery of the Jesuits (1989 A.D.)
Courtesy - British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 59
43. "Bassein. Thana District. Entrance to the Citadel of the Fort (1989 A.D.)
Courtesy - British Library, London

M.T. Vasai 60
44. Bassein, Thana District. Front of the Franciscan Church" (1898 A.D.)
Courtesy - British Library, London

45. Group Photo Showing Henry Cousens Primary Source - Unknown

M.T. Vasai 61
 46. Front page of Progress Report, 1898 A.D.

47. Portuguese Bell from the Province of the North at Vitthal-Rukhmini Temple,
Pandharpur

M.T. Vasai 62
48. Portuguese period Door at Church of Our Blessed Lady of Remedy, Vasai

M.T. Vasai 63
Image 49. Portuguese period Door at Church of St. Thomas Apostle, Sandor, Vasai

M.T. Vasai 64