First published in 1876, this book traces the history and antiquities of two of the earliest European settlements in India – Chaul and Bassein which after having attained the heights of luxury and power, had at the time of writing this book declined to the position of a 'City of the Dead'. Chaul was an ancient city on the mainland of North Konkan and Bassein was an island 29 miles from Bombay. The history of Chaul and Bassein is connected with the origin and growth of the area which was later known?as?Greater?Bombay.