Bassein, also called VasaiMain entrance to the Portuguese fort
at Bassein, Maharashtra, India.Himanshu Sarpotdartown, western
Maharashtra state, western India. It lies on the Arabian Sea
coast north of Mumbai (Bombay). Part of the territory of the
Hindu Devagiri Yadavas until 1317, it later became a seaport for
the Gujarat Muslim kings. In 1526 the Portuguese established a
fort (now in ruins) and trading station at Bassein, and the town
became famous for its shipbuilding industry. After frequent but
unsuccessful attacks by the Mughals in the 17th century, it fell
to the Marathas in 1739 and was later taken by the British. The
town is a large-scale fishing centre and a wholesale exporter
for agricultural produce. Its industries are silk and cotton
hand-loom weaving and salt manufacture. Pop. (2001) town,
49,337; urban agglom., 174,396.