Vasai-Virar

Vasai-Virar: Portuguese fort

Vasai-Virar, formerly Bassein or Vasai, city (municipal corporation), western Maharashtra state, western India. It lies on the Arabian Sea coast north of Mumbai (Bombay).

Bassein (Vasai) town was part of the territory of the Hindu Devagiri Yadavas until 1317, and 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.

In 2009 the town was joined administratively with neighbouring Virar (north) and several dozen other surrounding communities to form Vasai-Virar city, and it immediately became one of the most-populous urban areas in the state. The city has long been a large-scale fishing centre and a wholesale exporter of agricultural produce. Traditional industries include silk and cotton hand-loom weaving and salt manufacture. There has been a rise in construction and in technology-related activities (e.g., software development). The city has also developed as a residential suburb of Mumbai. Pop. (2001) town, 49,337; urban agglom., 174,396; (2011) city, 1,222,390.