an island of British India, north of that of Bombay, from which it is separated by a narrow strait, between N. Lat. 19. and 19. 18., E. Long. 72.54. and 73. 3.; length, from N.E. to S.W., 18 miles; breadth, about 10; area, 150 square miles. It is a strikingly diversified and very picturesque land, with woody hills, gray rocky mountains, and gloomy caves, the haunts of wild beasts; rich valleys, broad rice-fields, tall graceful cocoa-nut palms, and meadows on which cattle graze. In various parts of the island, and especially at Keneri, near the centre, there are ancient rock-cut caves. Salsette formed part of the province of Aurungabad under the Mogul emperors, but fell into the hands of the Portuguese soon after their settlement in India. In 1739 it was conquered by the Mahrattas, and in 1774 came into the possession of the British. It forms part of the district of Taunab, so called from the chief town on the island. It is connected with Bombay island by a causeway, and traversed by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, which crosses over on a viaduct to the mainland. Pop. estimated at 50,000.