174 
BOMBAY. 
it was merely a dependence on the chief residing at Tannah, in 
the island of Salsette. Its favourable position at the entrance of the 
finest harbour on the western shore of India, soon excited the at- 
tention of its new masters, and a fort was erected by them to defend 
the anchorage. Nevertheless, the vicinity to Goa, the capital of all 
the eastern possessions of the Portuguese, prevented it from becom- 
ing a place of any great importance during the time it continued in 
their hands; but, on being ceded to the English in 1662, as part of 
the portion of Q^ueen Catharine of Portugal, it rapidly rose into 
consequence, and ultimately became the great naval arsenal of 
that nation, and an independent Presidency, though certainly only 
the third in rank. 
The fortifications of Bombay have been improved as it has in- 
creased in trade and importance ; and lately a very considerable ad- 
dition was made to their strength by including Dungaree Hill within 
the fort. This place previously commanded the town ; it is however 
doubtful whether it would not have been more advisable to level 
the hill, as the lines of defence were before too extensive, requiring 
a garrison of several thousand men to defend them, while there were 
rarely as many hundreds in the place. Towards the sea Bombay 
is extremely strong, and battery above battery completely com- 
mands the harbour : to the land side it by no means offers the 
same resistance ; but this is of little consequence, as, at present, 
were an enemy once landed, and capable of making regular ap- 
proaches, the town must surrender. The houses, which are lofty 
and combustible, approach so close to the walls, that were they once 
in flames, it would be impossible for any troops to stand on the . 
ramparts. A bombardment would lay the whole town in ashes in 
