Bassein Fort, also known as Vasai Fort, is an important sea fort located at
Vasai, in
Thane District,
Maharashtra. The fort, now in ruins, was built by Bahadur Shah, the then sultan of
Gujarat. From 1534 to 1739 it was a thriving fortified city of the Portuguese. The fort was later captured by the Marathas.
Bassein Fort, situated almost hidden by brushwood and palm groves, is a large fort with the main gate leading to a small courtyard. There are numerous old structures and Portuguese buildings inside the fort. There are enough standing walls, some with well-preserved facades. Several watchtowers still stand here, with safe staircases leading up.
By road, Bassein Fort is about 50 km along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway.
Vasai Road Railway Station, managed by the Western Railways, is the nearest railhead.
