Just north of Mumbai is the small town of Vasai, a former Portuguese territory once called Bassein. In 1739, the Battle of Vasai, or the Battle of Bassein, was fought here between Maratha and Portuguese forces.

The Maratha military commander and statesman Chimaji Appa, brother of the legendary general Bajirao Peshwa I, led the Maratha army. After racking up several victories against the Portuguese, Chimaji Appa's forces laid siege to the Portuguese fort of Vasai.

Chimaji Appa's army was formidable: According to Portuguese sources, he commanded almost 100,000 troops, including 4,000 soldiers who knew how to lay mines, 25,000 cavalry, 5,000 camels, and 50 elephants.

On May 1, 1739, Chimaji Appa swiftly started hammering the Portuguese fort. He had mines laid around its walls, and despite Portuguese efforts, Chimaji Appa won the ensuing battle. On May 23, the Maratha flag flew over the town, which had been under Portuguese control for more than 200 years. 

Following the battle, Chimaji Appa’s forces took many church bells from the Portuguese stronghold as war trophies. These bells were later installed at several Hindu temples across the region, many of which can still be seen today. 

One such bell was installed at Menavali Ghat near the town of Wai, around 140 miles (230 km) south of Mumbai. Menavali Ghat has two temples, one dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the other (Meneshwar Temple) dedicated to Lord Shiva.

In front of Meneshwar Temple, a stone canopy houses the Portuguese bell. The bell was made from an alloy of five different metals and weighs as much as an adult polar bear, around 1,400 pounds (650 kg).

On the bell, a bas-relief of Mary carrying the infant Jesus Christ can still be seen. Inscribed on the bell is its year of casting, 1707, and below that is another inscription.