Scholar Dr Uday Kulkarni will discuss the life of the Maratha warrior whose exploits are intertwined with the history of Vasai and Salsette
A map of Vasai from 1730 features in the book The Era of Bajirao by Uday S Kulkarni
The Mumbai Research Centre of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai is organising a lecture on Chimaji Appa and the history of Mumbai’s Vasai. The lecture will talk about the Maratha leader. It will be conducted by Dr Uday S Kulkarni, a researcher and author who has penned eight books on 18th Century India. He explains the geography, “Salsette is a land that extends from Bandra till today’s Bhayandar. Vasai Fort is uniquely positioned as it is surrounded by water on three sides and the northern side is an open area.”
(From left) A view of Vasai Fort; a statue of Chimaji Appa within the fort. Pics Courtesy/Uday S Kulkarni
Dr Kulkarni says, “Chimaji Appa was Bajirao Peshwa’s younger brother. It was in 1737, however, when Chimaji took it upon himself to evict the well-entrenched Portuguese power from their northern kingdom. The soil of Vasai was very sandy, and it was difficult to mind the walls of the fort at that time.” Despite the tough terrain, they defeated the Portuguese. He adds, “It is because of their defeat that Salsette Island became part of the city. It is important to know that had the Marathas not liberated the people of Vasai and Salsette from the yoke of foreign rule in 1737, these regions could have continued to be under Portuguese rule — as was Goa — until 1961.”
Uday S Kulkarni
Dr Shehernaz Nalwalla, vice president of the Society and chairperson of the Mumbai Research Centre, encourages Mumbaikars to attend the session. She says, “Dr Kulkarni has delivered lectures on Maratha history at the Asiatic Society of Mumbai in the past. This lecture on Chimaji Appa is significant since he has played an important role in the making of Greater Mumbai.”
On: April 25; 4.30 pm (high tea),5 pm (talk)
At: Durbar Hall, Town Hall, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Fort.
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