This place has some importance in Maratha maritime history, as Shivaji’s navy is said to have had a base here and almost all his maritime forays, including the ones to reinforce Khanderi were undertaken from here. There is an old temple left from those days and it is right next to the road.

The Portuguese built a fortified city containing numerous churches, factories and a governor's house. They preached, proselytised and traded successfully from the Chaul until eclipsed by the Marathas in 1739. There are a few remnants of Portuguese fortifications and a couple of ruined churches situated in the midst of luscious palm groves.