Notes On The History And Antiquities Of Chaul And Bassein

The author reveals that Chaul is an ancient city on the main land of the North Konkan. It is about 30 miles south east of Bombay and Bassein is an Island about 11 miles long and 5 mile wide and is 29 miles from Bombay. It is of this vast empire that the now ruined cities of Chaul and Bassein were two important emporia of trade. They were, besides, when in their palmy days, the miniature of the LusoIndian civilization of the age. Within the compressed area of their walls were contained appliances that imparted grace and dignity to life. Chivalry, religious enthusiasm, scholastic pedantry, and seigniorial arrogance stamped the impress of their character upon every surrounding; and episodes verging on romance, and the passions, misfortunes, reverses and crimes, amidst a motley population, made up both the poetry and prose of life, some incidents of which would certainly furnish as rich a pabulum for the novelist as their conquests and triumphs have already lent inspiration to the patriotic mind of Luiz de Camoens in the elaboration of his famous ?epic of commerce.? The history of Chaul and Bassein is connected with the origin and growth of the area that now called Greater Bombay. The book contains seventeen photographs, nine lithographic plates and a map. The book was first published in 1876.