In the eighteenth century, the Portuguese were persecuting natives of Mumbai and surrounding areas with brutal policies similar to Goa Inquisition, and were forcibly converting people to Christianity. Responding pleas of help from local Hindus, Peshwa Bajirao I decided to intervene. Maratha forces under the command of Chimaji Appa and Malhar Rao Holkar laid seize on Vasai fort. Marathas’ formidable navy under command of Admiral Manaji Angre joined in, and Marathas won quick victories at Versova, Bandra and Dharavi. In May 1739 Vasai fort was breached. Despite bringing reinforcements from various places, the Portuguese resistance collapsed. It was a decisive Maratha victory! Salsette island (largest landmass of Mumbai comprising of areas between Kurla, Bandra, Thane & Dahisar) and other areas around Mumbai were freed from foreign Portuguese rule, and became part the Maratha empire. The Portuguese never recovered from this defeat, and for next 222 years remained confined to pockets of Goa, Daman and Diu.
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