Gateways to the Sea is a compilation of essays that illuminates for the reader the history of the Maharashtra and Konkan coastal regions from every perspective- geopolitical, geographic, economic, cultural, people, land, rivers, estuaries and sailing vessels.The fertile hinterland had an abundance of agricultural produce like mangoes, coconuts, and spices, while artisans and crafts persons created products like cotton cloth, cartwheels, jewellery, and gems, which were prized in markets as far as the Arab lands and beyond, to Greece and Rome. Gateways to the Sea explores the fascinating growth of ports including Sopara, Vasai, Mahim, Thane, Kalyan, and Chaul, and the numerous forts at harbor mouths and hinterland.