Vasai

Vasai वसई
Town
Vasai Fort entrance
Vasai
Coordinates:
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District	Palghar
Elevation	11 m (36 ft)
Population (2007)
• Total	49,337
Languages
• Official	Marathi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Post Office Pin Code	401201/2
Telephone code	91250
Vehicle registration	MH48
Vidhan Sabha constituency	Vasai

Vasai (English ⁱ/ˈvɑːseɪ/), historically known as Bassein road or Baçaim is a historical suburban town north of Mumbai in the Maharashtra state of India. It forms a part of Vasai-Virar city.

The Portuguese built Bassein Fort here to strengthen their naval superiority over the Arabian Sea. In the 18th century, the fort was taken over by the Maratha army and fell in 1739 after a three-year-long campaign.

The British then took over the territory from the Marathas in the First Anglo-Maratha War.

Map of Bassein (c. 1539)

Climate

See also: Vasai-Virar § Climate

Overall climate is equable with high rainfall days and very few days of extreme temperatures. The temperature varies from 22–36 °C (72–97 °F). In winter temperature is between 12–25 °C (54–77 °F) while summer temperature ranges from 36–41 °C (97–106 °F). Out of total rainfall, 80% rainfall is experienced during June to October. Average annual rainfall is 2,000–2,500 mm (79–98 in) and humidity is 61—86%, making it a humid-prehumid zone. The driest days are in winter while the wettest days are experienced in July.

Industrialisation

The eastern part of Vasai is highly industrialised, with small and medium scale units producing a wide variety of goods.

Transport

The local railway station is known as Vasai Road.

See also

• Treaty of Bassein (1534)
• Treaty of Bassein (1802)
• Military history of Bassein