Chimaji Appa thereafter concentrated his military efforts in the
Western Ghats against the
Portuguese colonial strongholds along the Konkan coast.
Vasai (then known as Bassein) was the ultimate objective of the campaign, as it served as the capital of the northern province of
Portuguese India and the center of their political and commercial power north of
Goa.
Capture of Belapur Fort In 1733, the
Marathas, led by Chimaji Appa and assisted by Sardar Shankarbuwa Shinde, captured the
Belapur Fort from the Portuguese. The assault on the fort was initiated by Sardar Janojirao Shinde, the grandfather of Ranojirao Shinde and the younger brother of Dattaji Shinde I. Before the attack, Janojirao vowed that if the Marathas succeeded in recapturing the Belapur fort, he would offer a garland made of beli (Bael) leaves to the nearby Amruthaishwar Temple as a mark of gratitude. After the successful victory, the vow was fulfilled, and the fort became known as Belapur Fort in honor of the offering.
Capture of Vasai After careful planning, Chimaji Appa led the
Maratha armies into Portuguese-occupied territories along the
Konkan coast in 1737. His strategy was to capture weaker forts first, progressively isolating and weakening the Portuguese before attacking their main stronghold at
Bassein. On 28 March 1737, Maratha forces under Ranojirao Shinde and Shankarbuwa Shinde captured the strategic island fortress of
Arnala, cutting off a crucial supply and relief line to Vasai. Later that year, the Marathas liberated
Thane and
Salsette Island from Portuguese control. In November 1738, Chimaji Appa captured Dahanu Fort, followed by the capitulation of
Mahim on 20 January 1739. The forts of Kelva (Mahim), Sirgao, Tarapur, and
Asserim soon fell to the Marathas, captured respectively by Chengojirao Shinde, Ranojirao Shinde, Janojirao Shinde, and Chimaji Appa himself. On 28 March 1739, the
fortress of Karanja Island was also taken by Raolojirao Shinde, further tightening the Maratha control around Vasai. To coordinate the siege operations, Chimaji established his headquarters at Bhavangad Fort, which he had commissioned in 1737 to serve as a strategic base for operations against Bassein Fort. Many of the campaign’s logistical and intelligence activities were directed from there. In February 1739, Chimaji launched the final assault on Bassein Fort. He first occupied
Versova Fort and
Dharavi, effectively blockading the
Bassein Creek to cut off Portuguese reinforcements. Maratha engineers laid mines under key sections of the fort walls, detonating them to breach the defenses. Fierce fighting followed as the Marathas, including Ranojirao and Janojirao Shinde, stormed the fort against strong Portuguese resistance, who employed superior firearms and artillery. After intense combat, the remaining defenders surrendered on 16 May 1739. The Portuguese commander, Captain Caetano de Souza Pereira, signed the surrender document as the garrison was heavily outnumbered. Chimaji Appa granted the Portuguese safe passage from Vasai, allowing them eight days to remove their possessions. By 23 May 1739, all Portuguese personnel had withdrawn from the city. Portuguese records noted the loss of nearly all their northern possessions — including eight cities, four major ports, twenty forts, two fortified hills, and over 340 villages — effectively ending Portuguese rule north of Goa. In gratitude for the victory, Chimaji Appa dedicated the victory ornaments of Vasai’s churches to the
Saptashrungi and
Bhavani temples, symbolizing the restoration of Hindu rule in the region. The campaign is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant and decisive military operations in Maratha history. ==Death==