Just north of Mumbai is the small town of Vasai, a former Portuguese territory once called Bassein. In 1739, the Battle of Vasai, or the Battle of Bassein, was fought here between Maratha and Portuguese forces. The Maratha military commander and statesman Chimaji Appa, brother of the legendary general Bajirao Peshwa I, led the Maratha army. After racking up several victories against the Portuguese, Chimaji Appa’s forces laid siege to the Portuguese fort of Vasai. Chimaji Appa’s army was formidable: According to Portuguese sources, he commanded almost 100,000 troops, including 4,000…
