View source for Vasai

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
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{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Vasai
| official_name            =
| native_name              = <!-- per [[WP:INDICSRIPT]], do not add Indic script here -->
| native_name_lang         = [[Sanskrit]]
| other_name               = Bassein <!-- Don't add Basai or Bajipur since they were for long enough. The names are already mentioned in the 'Etymology' section.-->
| settlement_type          = City
| translit_lang1           =
| image_skyline            = Vasaifort.jpg
| imagesize                =
| image_alt                = Entrance to the Vasai Fort in Vasai.
| image_caption            = [[Vasai Fort]] (entrance)
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| image_seal               =
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| motto                    =
| image_map                =
| map_alt                  = Vasai is on the west coast of India, about one third of the way down to the southern tip. It is in the west side of the Maharashtra province, which covers roughly the second quarter of the west coast (counting from the north), and heads inland roughly twice as far as its coastline.
| map_caption              =
| pushpin_map              = India Maharashtra#India3
| pushpin_label_position   = right
| pushpin_map_alt          =
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location of Vasai in [[Maharashtra]], India
| coordinates              = {{coord|19.47|N|72.8|E|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint            =
| coordinates_footnotes    =
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Palghar district|Palghar]]
| subdivision_type3        = Division
| subdivision_name3        = [[Konkan Division|Konkan (North)]]
| established_title        =
| established_date         =
| named_for                = Vasa [[Konkani people|Konkani tribe]]s<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/w4lzByudFe1MpbxWkIqIcP/Vasai-A-capital-that-once-was.html|title=Vasai: A capital that once was|date=28 January 2016}}</ref>
| founder                  =
| seat_type                = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| seat                     = [[Vasai (Vidhan Sabha) Constituency]]
| government_footnotes     =
| government_type          = [[Municipal Corporations in India|Municipal Corporation]]
| governing_body           = [[Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation]]
| leader_party             =
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| unit_pref                = Metric
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| area_blank2_title        = <!-- square kilometers -->
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| area_blank2_km2          = <!-- hectares -->
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| length_km                =
| width_km                 =
| dimensions_footnotes     =
| elevation_footnotes      =
| elevation_m              = 11
| population_as_of         = 2007
| population_footnotes     =
| population_total         = 49337
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_note          =
| population_demonym       = Vasaikar in Marathi & Konkani, Basseinite in English.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MFjRAAAAMAAJ&q=Basseinites|title=The East Indians: Catholic Community of Bombay, Salsette and Bassein|last1=Baptista|first1=Elsie Wilhelmina|year=1967}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MUxuAAAAMAAJ&q=Basseinite|title=Bassein, the Portuguese Interlude|last1=Albuquerque|first1=Teresa|year=2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WufNAAAAMAAJ&q=Basseinite|title=The American Ecclesiastical Review;: A Monthly Publication for the Clergy|last1=Heuser|first1=Herman Joseph|year=1922}}</ref>
| population_metro         =
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| timezone1                = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1              = +5:30
| timezone1_DST            = Not observed
| utc_offset1_DST          = +5:30
| postal_code_type         = [[Postal Index Number|PIN code(s)]]
| postal_code              = 401 201 to 401 203
| area_code_type           =
| area_code                = [[Telephone numbers in India|+91-0250-XXX XXXX]]
| registration_plate       = MH-48
| blank_name_sec1          = {{nowrap|[[Official language]]}}
| blank_info_sec1          = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]<!-- Do not add Hindi, Gujarati, Kannada or English here -->
| blank_name_sec2          = [[Official multilingualism|Other language(s)]]
| blank_info_sec2          = [[Kadodi language|Kadodi]], [[Agri dialect|Agri]], [[Phudagi language|Vadavli]], [[Konkani language|Konkani]] & [[Parkari Koli language|Koli]]
| iso_code                 =
| website                  = {{URL|http://vvcmc.in}}, {{URL|http://www.vasai.com/content/article/emergency-numbers}}
| footnotes                =
}}
'''Vasai''' (Konkani and Marathi pronunciation: [[Help:IPA/Marathi|[ʋəsəi]]]; British English: '''Bassein'''; formerly and alternatively Marathi; ''Bajipur'')<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.portugalweb.net/portugalnomundo/asia/vasai01.asp|title = Portugal no mundo}}</ref> is a historical place and city located in [[Palghar district]]; which was partitioned out of the [[Thana district]] in 2014. It also forms a part of [[Vasai-Virar]] twin cities in the [[Konkan division]], [[Maharashtra, India]], and comes under the Police Jurisdiction of Mira-Bhayander, Vasai-Virar Police Commissionerate.
The [[Portuguese in Goa and Damaon]] built [[Fort Bassein]] to defend their colony and participate in the lucrative [[spice trade]] and the [[silk route]] that converged in the area. Much of [[Portuguese Bombay and Bassein]] was seized by [[Marathas]] under [[Peshva]] rule, at the [[Battle of Bassein]] in 1739.
The [[British East India Company]] at Bombay then [[Company rule in India|took]] the area from the [[Mahratta Empire]] in 1780; following the [[First Anglo-Maratha War]].<ref name=":1" />
[[File:Map of Bassein from Portuguese Atlas (1630).jpg|thumb|right|Map of Bassein (Vasai) (c. 1539)]]
[[File:Tungareshwar Temple at Vasai, Mumbai.jpg|thumb|right|Tungareshwar Temple at Vasai, Mumbai, in 2019]]
[[File:Bassein, Ruins of - St. Paul's (12673444635).jpg|thumb|right|Ruins of St. Paul's (c. 1855–1862)]]
[[File:Gonzalo Garcia (Window pane in the Cathedral of Pune).JPG|thumb|right|[[Gonsalo Garcia|St. Gonsalo (1st Indian-born saint)]]]]
[[File:Saint Gonsalo Garcia Church, Vasai.jpg|thumb|right|Saint Gonsalo Garcia Church]]
[[File:Mumbai Train.JPG|thumb|right|Mumbai Suburban Local Train]]
[[File:Vasai, Catholic Cathedral Our Lady of Graces.JPG|thumb|right|[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Vasai]]]]
[[File:Suruchihorse.jpg|thumb|right|Horse riding at Suruchi Beach]]
==Etymology==
The present name ''Vasai'' is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] word ''Waas'', meaning 'dwelling' or 'residence'. The name was changed to ''Basai'', which was named under [[Bahadur Shah of Gujarat]] after the [[Gujarat Sultanate]] took over the region. This is also the first [[Latinisation of names|Latinized]] record of the name, which was spelled as ''Baxay'' by [[Duarte Barbosa|Barbosa]] (1514).<ref name=":3" /> The name was short-lived as it was changed under [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] rule, approximately two decades later, to ''Baçaim'' (also the first official [[Latin script|Latin]] name) following the signing of the Treaty of Vasai in 1534. This name was again changed after over 200 years to ''Bajipur'' after the [[Maratha Empire]] took over the region. This name was also short-lived as after the capture of ''Bajipur (the Maratha name for Vasai)'' by the [[East India Company|British]], the name was changed yet again to ''Bassein''.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.travelindiadestinations.com/vasai-history-past-present/|title=Vasai History – A Glimpse of Its Past and The Present|last=Bamboat|first=Sharukh|date=5 September 2016|website=Travel India Destinations|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726202819/https://www.travelindiadestinations.com/vasai-history-past-present|archive-date=26 July 2018|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref> During this same time, [[Mumbai|Bombay]] took over Bassein as the dominant economic power in the region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/Did-You-Know-Mumbai-Was-Given-As-Dowry-To-The-British-By-The-Portuguese|title=Did You Know Mumbai Was Given As Dowry To The British By The Portuguese?|last=Pareek|first=Shabdita|date=10 February 2016|website=ScoopWhoop|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015050/https://www.scoopwhoop.com/Did-You-Know-Mumbai-Was-Given-As-Dowry-To-The-British-By-The-Portuguese|archive-date=15 November 2017|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref> The town was [[Renaming of cities in India|renamed]] to ''Vasai'', the [[Marathi language|Marathi]] name for the region, following the [[History of the British Raj|devolution]] of the [[British Raj]] in [[Indian subcontinent|India]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pilotguides.com/tv-shows/globe-trekker/series-17/the-british-raj|title=The Rise and Fall of the British Raj|website=Globe Trekker|publisher=Pilot Productions|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823185502/http://www.pilotguides.com/tv-shows/globe-trekker/series-17/the-british-raj|archive-date=23 August 2017|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref>
===Demonym===
{{See also|#Notable people}}
English: Bassein; Portuguese: Baçaim), Vasai is called ''Vasaikar'' in [[Marathi language|Marathi]], in which the suffix ''kar'' means 'resident of'. The term had been in use since the [[Renaming of cities in India|official renaming]] of Bassein to Vasai. The Vasaikar diaspora outside of [[Maharashtra]] state, as well as [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|outside of India]], refer to themselves as from Mumbai due to its international recognition and Vasai being located within the [[Mumbai Metropolitan Region]], near the edge of [[Mumbai Suburban district|suburban Mumbai]].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Nandgaonkar|first1=Satish|first2=Yogesh |last2=Naik|date=June 27, 2020|title=State expands MMR for unified devp of projects|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/civic/state-expands-mmr-for-unified-devp-of-projects/articleshow/76654330.cms|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Mumbai Mirror}}</ref>
==History==<!-- Use either Vasai, Bassein, Baçaim or Basai based on time. Use Bajipur with caution as it can cause confusion. Use Bassein instead if added content occurred between Maratha and British eras or Baçaim if added content occurred between the Portuguese and Maratha eras.-->
===Pre-Portuguese era===
The history of Vasai dates back to the ancient [[Puranas|Puranic]] ages.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.vasaiker.com/index.php/history-of-vasai|title=History of Vasai|last=Lopes|first=William|website=Vasaiker|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230183312/http://www.vasaiker.com:80/index.php/history-of-vasai|archive-date=30 December 2017|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref> Vasai was a trading ground for many [[Ancient Greece|Greek]], [[Arab identity|Arab]], [[History of Iran|Persian]] and [[Roman Empire|Roman]] traders and merchants who would enter through the west coast of [[Indian subcontinent|India]]. The [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] merchant [[Cosma Indicopleustes]] is known to have visited the areas around Vasai in the 6th century and the [[Tang dynasty|Chinese]] traveler [[Xuanzang]] later on June or July 640. According to historian [[José Gerson da Cunha]], during this time, Bassein and its surrounding areas appeared to have been ruled by the [[Chalukya dynasty]] of [[Karnataka]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Notes on the History and Antiquities of Chaul and Bassein|url=https://archive.org/details/notesonhistorya00cunhgoog|last=da Cunha|first=José Gerson|publisher=Thacker, Vining & Co.|year=1876|isbn=9788120608450|pages=[https://archive.org/details/notesonhistorya00cunhgoog/page/n209 129]}}</ref>
Until the 11th century, several [[Arabian]] geographers had mentioned references to towns nearby Vasai, like [[Thane|Thana]] and [[Sopara]], but no references had been made to Vasai.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Notes on the History and Antiquities of Chaul and Bassein|url=https://archive.org/details/notesonhistoryan00jger|last=da Cunha|first=José Gerson|publisher=Thacker, Vining & Co.|year=1876|isbn=9788120608450|pages=[https://archive.org/details/notesonhistoryan00jger/page/130 130]}}</ref> Vasai was later ruled by the [[Silhara dynasty]] of [[Konkan]] and eventually passed to the [[Seuna (Yadava) dynasty|Seuna dynasty]]. It was head of district under the Seuna (1184–1318). Later being conquered by the [[Gujarat Sultanate]],<ref>{{Cite book|title=Notes on the History and Antiquities of Chaul and Bassein|url=https://archive.org/details/notesonhistorya00cunhgoog|last=da Cunha|first=José Gerson|publisher=Thacker, Vining & Co.|year=1876|isbn=9788120608450|pages=[https://archive.org/details/notesonhistorya00cunhgoog/page/n211 131]}}</ref> where it was named ''Basai'', a few years later [[Duarte Barbosa|Barbosa]] (1514) described it under the name Baxay (pronounced Basai) as a town with a good seaport belonging to the [[Muzaffarids (Gujarat)|King]] of [[Gujarat Sultanate|Gujarat]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Notes on the History and Antiquities of Chaul and Bassein|url=https://archive.org/details/notesonhistoryan00jger|last=da Cunha|first=José Gerson|publisher=Thacker, Vining & Co.|year=1876|isbn=9788120608450|pages=[https://archive.org/details/notesonhistoryan00jger/page/132 132]}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/Thane/places_b.html|title=Chapter 19: Places|date=20 December 2006|website=Thane District Gazetteer|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref>
In 1295, [[Republic of Venice|Italian]] explorer [[Marco Polo]] passed through Vasai.<ref name=":4" />
===Portuguese era===
The [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] first reached the west coast of [[Indian subcontinent|India]] when the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] [[Age of Discovery|explorer]] [[Vasco da Gama]] landed at [[Kozhikode|Calicut]] in 1498. According to historian [[Manuel de Faria e Sousa]], the coast of Basai was first visited by the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] in 1509, when [[Francisco de Almeida]] on his way to [[Diu, India|Diu]] captured a Muslim ship in the harbour of [[Mumbai|Bombay]], with 24 citizens of the [[Gujarat Sultanate]] aboard.
To the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]], Basai was an important trading centre located on the [[Arabian Sea]]. They saw it as a vital service station that would give them access to global sea routes and goods such as salt, fish, timber and mineral resources.<ref name=":2" /> They wanted to build a shipyard to manufacture ships and use the fertile land to grow rice, sugarcane, cotton, betel nuts and other crops to trade globally.<ref name=":4" />
The presence of the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] significantly shaped the region into what it is today.<ref name=":2" />
==== Treaty of Vasai (Bassein) (1534) ====
In 1530 the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]], under António da Silveira, took advantage of its strong navy and pillaged and burnt the village of Vasai (Basai). The army of [[Gujarat Sultanate]] was not strong enough for the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] forces and, despite resistance, the [[Bahadur Shah of Gujarat|Sultan of Gujarat]] was eventually defeated.<ref name=":4" /> In 1531 António set fire to Basai yet again as punishment for the [[Bahadur Shah of Gujarat|Sultan]] for not ceding [[Diu, India|Diu]], a vital island that would protect trade in the region. In 1533, Diogo (Heitor) da Silveira set fire to the western coast leading from [[Bandora, Goa|Bandora]] through [[Thane|Thana]] and Basai to [[Surat]].<ref name=":2" />
[[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] General [[Nuno da Cunha]] discovered that the son of [[Malik Ayyaz|Meliqueaz]], the governor of [[Diu, India|Diu]], Malik Tokan was fortifying Basai with 14,000 men. Seeing this fortification as a threat, [[Nuno da Cunha|Nano da Cunha]] assembled a fleet of 150 ships with 4000 men and sailed to north of Basai. Upon seeing the naval superiority of the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]], Malik Tokan attempted to initiate a peace agreement with [[Nuno da Cunha|Nano da Cunha]]. Upon rejection, Malik Tokan was forced to fight against the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]]. Despite bringing fewer soldiers, the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] managed to kill most of the enemy while losing only a few of their own.<ref name=":2" />
The [[Treaty of Bassein (1534)|Treaty of Bassein]] was signed by [[Bahadur Shah of Gujarat]] and the [[Kingdom of Portugal]] on 23 December 1534 while on board the [[galleon]] São Mateus. Based on the terms of the agreement, the [[Portuguese Empire]] gained control of the village of Basai as well as its territories, islands and seas including [[Mumbai|Bombay]]. The village was renamed to Baçaim and became the northern capital of [[Portuguese India|Portuguese territories]] in India.
[[Garcia de Sá]] was later appointed as the first Captain (governor) of Baçaim by his brother-in-law [[Nuno da Cunha]] in 1536, who ruled until 1548 when the governorship was passed onto [[Jorge Cabral]]. The first cornerstone for the [[Fort Bassein|Bassein Fort]] was laid by [[António Galvão]].<ref name=":2" />
Under [[Portuguese India|Portuguese rule]], the [[Fort Bassein]] was the Northern Court, or 'Corte da Norte', functioning as the headquarters of the Court of the North. Baçaim became the capital of the Northern Province, the most productive village of [[Portuguese India]] and became a resort for [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] 'fidalgos' (noblemen and wealthy merchants). A great Portuguese person would be called 'Fidalgo ou Cavalheiro de Baçaim' (''Nobleman of Baçaim'').<ref name=":2" /> By 1674, the [[Portuguese India|Portuguese]] constructed 2 colleges, 4 convent schools and 15 churches in total in Baçaim's territories.<ref name=":4" /> For approximately 205 years, the presence of the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] made the surrounding area a vibrant and opulent village.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/MTDC/HTML/MaharashtraTourism/TouristDelight/Forts/Forts.aspx?strpage=VasaiFort.html|title=Vasai Fort|website=Maharashtra Tourism|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917163134/https://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/MTDC/HTML/MaharashtraTourism/TouristDelight/Forts/Forts.aspx?strpage=VasaiFort.html|archive-date=17 September 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/treasures/fort/vasai-fort|title=Vasai Fort|website=Maharashtra Tourism|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref>
The local ethnic community were called 'Norteiro' (Northern men), named after the Court of the North functioning out of the [[Fort Bassein|fort]].
In 1674, about 600 [[Arab identity|Arab]] pirates from [[Muscat]] entered Baçaim via the west and pillaged the churches in Baçaim. The unexpected attack weakened the [[Portuguese India|Portuguese]] control outside the [[Fort Bassein|fort]] walls<ref name=":4" /> and [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] [[Maratha Army|warriors]] stationed in the west isolated them further.
===Maratha era===
In the 18th century, [[Fort Bassein|Vasai Fort]] was attacked by the [[Maratha Empire]] under [[Peshwa]] [[Baji Rao I|Baji Rao]]'s brother [[Chimaji Appa]] and the Portuguese surrendered on 16 May 1739 after the [[Battle of Vasai|Battle of Vasai (Baçaim)]]. The [[Maratha Empire|Marathas]] allowed the women and the children of the enemy to leave peacefully. The [[Portuguese India|Portuguese]] lost a total of 4 main ports, 8 cities, 2 fortified hills, 340 villages and 20 fortresses.<ref name=":4" />
This defeat of the [[Portuguese India|Portuguese]], combined with [[Kingdom of Portugal|Portuguese]] [[House of Braganza|royal]] [[Catherine of Braganza]]'s wedding dowry of the [[Seven Islands of Bombay]] to [[Charles II of England]], led to [[Mumbai|Bombay]] overtaking Bajipur (the Maratha name for Vasai) as the dominant economic power in the region.<ref name=":0" />
===British era===
With the [[East India Company|British]] ruling the [[Salsette Island|island of Bombay]] just south of the Vasai Creek, the region's prominence as a trade centre in [[Indian subcontinent|India]] became increasingly overshadowed by [[Mumbai|Bombay]].<ref name=":0" />
After the death of [[Madhavrao I]] in 1772, his brother [[Narayan Rao]] became [[Peshwa]] of the [[Maratha Empire]]. [[Narayan Rao]] was the fifth [[Peshwa]] of the [[Maratha Empire]] from November 1772 until his murder by his palace guards in August 1773. [[Narayan Rao]]'s widow, Gangabai, gave birth to a posthumous son, who was legal heir to the throne. The newborn infant was named [[Madhavrao II|Sawai Madhavrao]]. Twelve [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] chiefs, led by [[Nana Fadnavis]], directed an effort to name the infant as the new [[Peshwa]] and rule under him as [[regent]]s.
[[Raghunathrao]], unwilling to give up his position of power, sought help from the [[Bombay Presidency|British at Bombay]] and signed the [[Treaty of Surat]] on 6 March 1775. According to the treaty, [[Raghunathrao]] ceded the territories of Salsette and [[Vasai-Virar|Vasai]] to the [[East India Company|British]], along with part of the revenues from the [[Surat]] and [[Bharuch district|Bharuch]] districts. In return, the [[East India Company|British]] promised to provide [[Raghunathrao]] with 2,500 soldiers. The treaty was later annulled by the [[East India Company|British]] [[Supreme Council of Bengal]] and replaced by the [[Treaty of Purandar (1776)|Treaty of Purandar]] on 1 March 1776. [[Raghunathrao]] was pensioned and his cause abandoned, but the revenues of the Salsette and [[Bharuch district|Bharuch]] districts were retained by the [[East India Company|British]]. The [[East India Company|British]] [[Bombay Presidency]] rejected this new treaty and gave refuge to [[Raghunathrao]]. In 1777, [[Nana Fadnavis]] violated his treaty with the [[East India Company|British]] [[Supreme Council of Bengal]] by granting the [[French India|French]] a port on west coast. The [[East India Company|British]] retaliated by sending a force towards [[Pune]].
Following a treaty between [[French India|France]] and the [[Maratha Empire]] in 1776, the [[East India Company|British]] [[Bombay Presidency]] decided to invade and reinstate [[Raghunathrao]].  They sent a force under [[Peter Egerton-Warburton|Colonel Egerton]], but were defeated. The [[East India Company|British]] were forced to sign the Treaty of Wadgaon on 16 January 1779, a victory for the [[Maratha Empire|Marathas]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Battles of the Honourable East India Company: Making of the Raj|last=Naravane|first=M. S.|publisher=APH Publishing Corporation|year=2014|isbn=9788131300343|location=India|pages=60}}</ref> Reinforcements from northern India, commanded by Colonel Thomas Goddard, arrived too late to save the [[Bombay Presidency|Bombay]] force. The British [[Governor-General of India|Governor-General]] in the [[East India Company|British]] [[Bengal Presidency]], [[Warren Hastings]], rejected the treaty on the grounds that the [[Bombay Presidency|Bombay]] officials had no legal power to sign it. He ordered Goddard to secure [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] interests in the area.<ref name="toib">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Bhadra-Fort-to-turn-into-heritage-hangout/articleshow/4646568.cms|title=Bhadra Fort to turn into heritage hangout!|date=12 June 2009|access-date=25 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010140749/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Bhadra-Fort-to-turn-into-heritage-hangout/articleshow/4646568.cms|archive-date=10 October 2016|work=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=live|agency=TNN}}</ref><ref name="longman">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZQXGmDs3LlMC&pg=PA446|title=A History of the Mahrattas|author=Duff|first=James Grant|publisher=Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green|year=1826|isbn=9781421221373|volume=2|location=London|pages=446|orig-year=University of Oxford}}</ref><ref name="hb">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hRENAAAAYAAJ&q=ahmedabad&pg=PA448|title=A Comprehensive History of India, Civil, Military and Social: From the First Landing of the English, to the Suppression of the Sepoy Revolt; Including an Outline of the Early History of Hindoostan|author=Beveridge|first=Henry|publisher=Blackie and Son|year=1862|isbn=9781341491559|volume=2|location=New York Public Library|pages=456–466}}</ref> Goddard captured Bassein on 11 December 1780. The city was renamed from ''Bajipur'' to ''Bassein'' under [[Company rule in India|British rule]].{{fact|date=June 2023}}
In 1801, [[Yashwantrao Holkar]] rebelled against the rival factions of the [[Maratha Empire]]. He defeated the combined forces of the [[Daulat Rao Sindhia|Daulat Rao Scindia]] and [[Peshwa]] [[Baji Rao II]] in the [[Battle of Poona]] and captured [[Pune|Poona]] ([[Pune]]). [[Peshwa]] [[Baji Rao II]] eventually took refuge in Bassein, where the [[East India Company|British]] had a stronghold.<ref name=":4" /> The [[Fort Bassein|Bassein Fort]] played a strategic role in the [[First Anglo-Maratha War]].<ref name=":1" />
==== Treaty of Bassein (1802) ====
The Treaty of Bassein (1802) was signed on 31 December 1802 between the [[East India Company|British East India Company]] and [[Baji Rao II]], the [[Maratha]] [[Peshwa]] of [[Pune]] (Poona), in India after the [[Battle of Poona]]. The treaty was a decisive step in the dissolution of the [[Maratha Empire]] and the expansion of [[British Raj|British rule]] over the [[Indian subcontinent]].{{fact|date=June 2023}}
==Industrialization==
The eastern part of Vasai is highly industrialized, with small- and medium-scale units producing a wide variety of goods. Contributed by more affordable housing and its close proximity to Mumbai, Vasai has maintained a high population growth rate since the 1980s.<ref name=":2" /> There are about 12,000 industrial units spread over the eastern part of Vasai.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-07-12|title=Mumbai rain: Vasai industrial area hit|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/mumbai-rain-vasai-industrial-680761.html|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref>
==Transport==
The local railway station is known as {{stnlnk|Vasai Road}}. It is a major railway station which bypasses [[Mumbai]] and connects the trains coming from [[Vadodara]] to [[Konkan Railway]] and [[Pune Junction railway station]] and further towards cities of [[Bengaluru]] and [[Hyderabad]]. The [[Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation|Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation]] buses run on all major routes and State Transport buses provide long-distance travel to and from Vasai. Besides that, [[auto rickshaw]]s are the main source of transport in the region. [[Indian Railways]] introduced a local train service in the [[Mumbai Metropolitan Region]] in 1867. The upgraded local train runs between [[Virar]] and [[Churchgate]] and has a frequency of a train every 4 minutes.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
==Tourism==
The [[Vasai Fort]], originally built in 1184, is a major tourist attraction in the region. The [[Archaeological Survey of India]] has started restoration work of the fort, although the quality of the work has been severely criticized by conservation activists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-archaeological-survey-of-india-is-defacing-vasai-fort-1685816|title=Archaeological Survey of India is defacing Vasai Fort|last=Vishwas|first=Waghmode|date=8 May 2008|website=DNA India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727035334/http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-archaeological-survey-of-india-is-defacing-vasai-fort-1685816|archive-date=27 July 2018|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-asi-and-conservationists-battle-it-out-at-vasai-fort-1151515|title=ASI and conservationists battle it out at Vasai fort|last=Tembhekar|first=Chittaranjan|date=18 February 2008|website=DNA India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915230708/http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-asi-and-conservationists-battle-it-out-at-vasai-fort-1151515|archive-date=15 September 2017|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/restoration-work-ruining-vasai-fort-says-activist/story-W0shJX0K4QwiojINOnhsjL.html|title=Restoration work ruining Vasai fort, says activist|last=Aklekar|first=Rajendra|date=28 June 2010|website=Hindistan Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103011504/https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/restoration-work-ruining-vasai-fort-says-activist/story-W0shJX0K4QwiojINOnhsjL.html|archive-date=3 November 2017|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref> In August 2010 a wall of the [[Fort Bassein|fort]] collapsed, raising questions about the quality of the work.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/vasai-fort-wall-collapses-while-restoration-work-is-on/story-o7HnlfBaafQ3UP6vxESdTI.html|title=Vasai Fort wall collapses while restoration work is on|last=Aklekar|first=Rajendra|date=22 August 2010|website=Hindustan Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727034542/https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/vasai-fort-wall-collapses-while-restoration-work-is-on/story-o7HnlfBaafQ3UP6vxESdTI.html|archive-date=27 July 2018|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref>
There are also three well-known religious sites including the [[Vajreshwari Temple]], [[St. Francis Xavier's Church, Giriz]] and the Datta Mandir of Dongri.
There are various festivals tourists come to visit.
There are famous and peaceful beaches are also located such as Suruchi beach, Bena beach, Rangaon beach,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-23|title=Mumbai: Bryde whale washes ashore beach in Vasai, buried after mammoth 24-hr effort|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mumbai-bryde-whale-washes-ashore-beach-in-vasai-buried-after-mammoth-24-hr-effort-7528231/|access-date=2021-09-25|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> Bhuigaon beach,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-03|title=Suspicious boat triggers panic near Bhuigaon beach in Vasai|url=https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/suspicious-boat-triggers-panic-near-bhuigaon-beach-in-vasai-23190694|access-date=2021-09-25|website=www.mid-day.com|language=en}}</ref> Kalamb beach,<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 31, 2020|first=Sandhya |last=Nair |title=party on beach: Maharashtra: Car floats 7km away as occupants defy curfew, party on vasai beach|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maharashtra-car-floats-7km-away-as-occupants-defy-curfew-party-on-vasai-beach/articleshow/80038689.cms|access-date=2021-09-25|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> Rajodi beach, Navapur, etc.
==Education==
*St. Xavier's Vasai
*[[St Gonsalo Garcia College]]
*Holy Family Convent School & Junior College <ref>{{Cite web |title=Holy Family Convent School & Junior College |url=http://www.hfcs.in/index.php |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=www.hfcs.in}}</ref>
*Vidya Vikasini English High School & Junior College <ref>{{Cite web |title=Vidya Vikasani High School |url=https://vvehs.com/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=vvehs.com}}</ref>
*Sheth Vidya Mandir English High School <ref>{{Cite web |title=Sheth Vidya Mandir |url=https://www.shethvidyamandir.com/about.php |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=www.shethvidyamandir.com}}</ref>
*I Global School <ref>{{Cite web |title=Iglobal School |url=https://www.iglobalschool.in/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=IGlobal School |language=en-US}}</ref>
*J.B. Ludhani High School <ref>{{Cite web |title=jbludhanigs.com - Home |url=https://jbludhanigs.com/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=jbludhanigs.com}}</ref>
==Use as filming location==
Vasai gained popularity as a shooting location with international hit song '[[Hymn for the Weekend]]' by British band [[Coldplay]] being shot here. According to ''[[The Times of India]]'', the video was shot in October 2015 at various Indian cities including [[Worli Village]], [[Mumbai|Bombay]] and [[Kolkata]]. The [[Fort Bassein|fort]] showcased at the start and in between is the [[Fort Bassein|Bassein Fort]], also known as Saint Sebastian's Fort, located in Vasai. The video is themed on the Indian festival of [[Holi]]. The video was filmed by Ben Mor and was released on 29 January 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BBGXbEzEYPv/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/morbros/1172727768623973359 |archive-date=2021-12-23 |url-access=subscription|title=Ben Mor on Instagram|last=Mor|first=Ben|date=29 January 2016|website=Instagram|access-date=25 July 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BBGgH5lvi8Y |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/blackdogfilms/1172766033337790232 |archive-date=2021-12-23 |url-access=subscription|title=Black Dog Films on Instagram|date=29 January 2016|website=Instagram|publisher=Black Dog Films|access-date=25 July 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The video features [[Beyoncé]] and Indian actress [[Sonam Kapoor]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Sonam-and-Beyonce-feature-in-new-Coldplay-single/articleshow/50755490.cms|title=Sonam and Beyonce feature in new 'Coldplay' single|last=Lohana|first=Avinash|date=28 January 2016|website=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016095233/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Sonam-and-Beyonce-feature-in-new-Coldplay-single/articleshow/50755490.cms|archive-date=16 October 2017|url-status=live|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref>
The music video was criticized on Indian [[social media]] for its stereotypical portrayal of Indian society and alleged disrespecting of Indian idols on the note of [[Beyoncé]]'s inappropriate clothing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/thread/reflections/article8201785.ece|title=Another Hymn for Tomorrow|last=Mallimadugula|first=Niharika|date=6 February 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225220128/https://www.thehindu.com/thread/reflections/article8201785.ece|archive-date=25 February 2018|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref>
The video has over 960 million views on [[YouTube]] as of July 2018, becoming the second most-viewed music video for [[Coldplay]] (after "[[Something Just like This]]").
Another hit song '[[Lean On]]' by [[Electronic dance music|EDM]] group [[Major Lazer]] and [[DJ Snake]] was shot in Vasai in March 2015. It has more than 2 billion views on [[YouTube]].
The [[Fort Bassein|Bassein Fort]] is also a popular shooting location for [[Bollywood]] movies and songs. The [[Bollywood]] hit ″[[Kambakkht Ishq]]″ from [[Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (film)|Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya]] is one of the [[Bollywood]] songs. Movies such as [[Josh (2000 film)|Josh]], starring [[Shah Rukh Khan]], was shot in [[St. Francis Xavier's Church, Giriz]] and at the [[Fort Bassein|Bassein Fort]] and [[Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega]] had a number of scenes from the [[Fort Bassein|Bassein Fort]]. Other films shot here include [[Khamoshi: The Musical]] and [[Ram Gopal Varma|Ram Gopal Verma's]] [[Aag (2007 film)|Aag]]. In April 2017, some scenes from [[Bhoomi (2017 film)|Bhoomi]], starring [[Sanjay Dutt]], were shot around 'Parnaka' area in Vasai.
The Madhuban road is also popular. Movies like [[Munna Michael]], [[Thackeray (film)]], [[Zero (2018 film)]] had few scenes that were shot here.
==Climate==
{{See also|Vasai-Virar#Climate}}
Vasai has a [[tropical climate]], specifically a [[Tropical savanna climate|tropical wet and dry climate]] (Aw) under the [[Köppen climate classification]], with seven months of dryness and peak of rains in July. This moderate climate consists of high rainfall days and very few days of extreme temperatures. The cooler season from December to February is followed by the summer season from March to June. The period from June to about the end of September constitutes the south-west monsoon season, and October and November form the post-monsoon season. The driest days are in winter while the wettest days occur in July.
Between June and September, the [[Monsoon of South Asia|south-west monsoon]] rains lash the region. [[Mango showers|Pre-monsoon]] showers are received in May. Occasionally, [[Monsoon of South Asia|monsoon]] showers occur in October and November. The average total annual rainfall averages between {{cvt|2,000 and 2,500|mm}}. Annually, over 80% of the total rainfall is experienced during June to October. Average humidity is 61-86%, making it a humid climate zone.
The temperature varies from {{convert|22|-|36|°C}}. The average temperature is {{cvt|26.6|°C}}, and the average [[precipitation]] is {{cvt|2,434|mm}}. The average minimum temperature is {{cvt|22.5|°C}}. The daily mean maximum temperature range from {{cvt|28.4 to 33.4|°C}}, while the daily mean minimum temperature ranges from {{cvt|17.5 to 26.4|°C}}. In winter, temperature ranges between {{convert|12|-|25|°C}} while summer temperature ranges from {{convert|36|-|41|°C}}.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://en.climate-data.org/location/276518|title=Climate Vasai Phata: Temperature, Climograph, Climate table for Vasai Phata|website=Climate-Data.org|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref>
{{Weather box
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|location = Vasai
|temperature colour= pastel
|Jan mean C = 22.9
|Feb mean C = 23.8
|Mar mean C = 26.3
|Apr mean C = 28.3
|May mean C = 29.9
|Jun mean C = 29.1
|Jul mean C = 27.2
|Aug mean C = 26.9
|Sep mean C = 26.9
|Oct mean C = 27.7
|Nov mean C = 26.4
|Dec mean C = 24.4
|Jan low C = 17.5
|Feb low C = 18.4
|Mar low C = 21.4
|Apr low C = 24
|May low C = 26.4
|Jun low C = 26.1
|Jul low C = 24.9
|Aug low C = 24.5
|Sep low C = 24.2
|Oct low C = 23.5
|Nov low C = 20.9
|Dec low C = 18.6
|Jan high C = 28.4
|Feb high C = 29.2
|Mar high C = 31.2
|Apr high C = 32.7
|May high C = 33.4
|Jun high C = 32.1
|Jul high C = 29.6
|Aug high C = 29.4
|Sep high C = 29.7
|Oct high C = 32
|Nov high C = 31
|Dec high C = 30.2
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 0.3
|Feb rain mm = 0.4
|Mar rain mm = 0.0
|Apr rain mm = 0.1
|May rain mm = 11.3
|Jun rain mm = 493.1
|Jul rain mm = 840.7
|Aug rain mm = 585.2
|Sep rain mm = 341.4
|Oct rain mm = 89.3
|Nov rain mm = 9.9
|Dec rain mm = 1.6
|year rain mm = 2434
|source 1 = Climate-Data.org<ref name=":5" />
}}
==Notable people==
<!-- Please only add people who have their own article on the English Wikipedia, and keep the description brief -->
* [[Harshvardhan Joshi]] – mountaineer<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 Feb 2020|title=Meet Vasai-born Harshvardhan Joshi who aims to summit Mt Everest|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/sport/others/meet-vasai-born-harshvardhan-joshi-who-aims-to-summit-the-mt-everest/articleshow/73939498.cms|access-date=2020-09-11|website=Mumbai Mirror}}</ref>
* [[Gonsalo Garcia]],<ref name="CE">{{CathEncy|id=06379a|title=St. Gonsalo Garcia}}</ref> – [[Franciscan]] [[lay brother]] from [[Portuguese India]], and the first [[Indian subcontinent|Indian-born]] to attain [[saint]]hood<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/St-Gonsalo-Garcia-The-1st-Indian-saint/articleshow/3587860.cms|title=St Gonsalo Garcia: The 1st Indian saint|last=D'Mello|first=Ashley|date=13 October 2008|website=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180609034329/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//india/St-Gonsalo-Garcia-The-1st-Indian-saint/articleshow/3587860.cms?|archive-date=9 June 2018|access-date=25 July 2018}}</ref>
* [[Suresh Mukund]] – owner of [[Kings United]]
{{Short description|City in Maharshtra, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix   = Father
| name               = Francis D'Britto
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1943|12|4|df=y}}
| birth_place        =
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|2024|7|25|1943|12|4|df=y}}
| death_place        = [[Vasai]], [[Palghar district]], [[Konkan division]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| nationality        = Indian
| occupation         = Priest, writer, environmental activist
}}
'''Francis D'Britto''' (4 December 1943 – 25 July 2024) was an Indian [[Catholicism|Catholic]] priest, writer, and [[Environmental movement|environmental activist]]<ref>{{cite journal|title=Francis D'Britto|journal=National Geographic|volume=187|issue=6|page=62|publisher=National Geographic Society}}</ref> from [[Vasai]], Mumbai.<ref>{{cite web|title=Christian priest honoured with Dnyanoba-Tukaram Puraskar|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-christian-priest-honoured-with-dnyanoba-tukaram-puraskar-2108726|website=Daily News and Analysis|access-date=29 July 2015}}</ref> He was the author of the ''Subodh Bible'', a translation of the Bible to [[Marathi language|Marathi]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Nair|first1=Manoj|title=Vasai priest writes Bible's easy-to-follow Marathi adaptation|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/Vasai-priest-writes-Bibles-easy-to-follow-Marathi-adaptation/articleshow/16025990.cms|website=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|publisher=[[The Times Group]]|access-date=29 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/vasai-priest-elected-president-of-marathi-sahitya-sammelan/article29503680.ece|title=Vasai priest elected president of Marathi Sahitya Sammelan|first=Rachita|last=Dabre|newspaper=The Hindu |date=25 September 2019|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=22 September 2019|title=मराठी साहित्य संमेलनाध्यक्षपदी फादर फ्रान्सिस दिब्रिटो &#124; Father Francis D'britto|url=https://www.tv9marathi.com/maharashtra/father-francis-dbritto-elected-as-akhil-bhartiya-marathi-sahitya-sammelan-president-115471.html|access-date=|website=tv9marathi.com|language=mr}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://vvcmc.in Official website of the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation]
==See also==
{{commons category|Vasai}}
*[[Bassein Fort]]
*[[Treaty of Bassein (1534)]]
*[[Treaty of Bassein (1802)]]
*[[Military history of Bassein]]
*[[Battle of Vasai|Battle of Bassein]]
*[[HMS Littleham (M2707)|INS Bassein]]
{{Portal bar|Asia|Geography|India}}
{{Palghar district topics}}
{{Maharashtra}}
{{Mumbai metropolitan area}}
[[Category:Former Portuguese colonies]]
[[Category:History of Vasai]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Palghar district]]
[[Category:Vasai-Virar]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in India]]