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Maratha Navy
The Maratha Navy was the maritime component of the military forces of the Maratha Empire, active along the western coast of India from the mid-17th to early 19th century. It was established under the leadership of Shivaji, first Chhatrapati of Maratha Empire, in the 1650s to protect coastal trade routes and counter regional and European naval powers, including the Portuguese, the English East India Company, and the Siddis of Janjira.
Under commanders such as Admiral Kanhoji Angre, the navy expanded its influence, using small, maneuverable vessels like gallivats and grabs, and employing tactics adapted to coastal and shallow-water conditions. While primarily a coastal or "green-water" force, it played a significant role in challenging colonial shipping and asserting Maratha interests in maritime trade.
The navy’s effectiveness declined in the late 18th century due to internal rivalries, changing political dynamics, and the growing dominance of the British Royal Navy. It was ultimately dismantled following the Anglo-Maratha Wars.
Historian Sir Jadunath Sarkar noted:
Nothing proves Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's genius as a born statesman more clearly than his creation of a navy and naval bases.
In early Modern India, significant Muslim powers such as the Mughal Empire had paid less attention to building the naval arm of their military forces. This scenario changed, however, when the Portuguese arrived in India and started monopolizing and controlling trade on the western coast of the continent. Shivaji realized the importance of a strong navy and commissioned the building of the first Maratha naval vessel in a creek near Kalyan around 1654. He did this to mainly check the power of the Siddis of Janjira.
Shivaji took up the task of constructing multiple naval bases along the coast of present-day Maharashtra. He organized two fleets – one under the command of Admiral Maynak Bhandari and the other under Dαulat Khan. The Maratha Navy consisted mostly of native Konkani sailors; however, it was commanded mostly by mercenaries, including Siddi and Portuguese. Circa 1659, the Maratha Navy consisted of around 20 warships. Hiring mercenaries was relatively common in Maratha military culture and the Navy was no exception to this practice. The Portuguese naval officer Rui Leitão Viegas was hired as fleet commander, in part because the Maratha wanted to get insight into the Portuguese naval technology and capabilities. The Maratha knew the Portuguese had a powerful navy. The Portuguese convinced their mercenary officers to leave the service of the Maratha; however, the Portuguese allied with the Marathas when the latter went to war against the Mughals.
In 1679, Shivaji annexed the island of Khanderi, which was 11 miles (18 km) off the entrance to Mumbai. In response the English and the Siddi repeatedly attacked the island, but they were unable to oust the Maratha from the islands.
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Maratha Navy
The Maratha Navy was the maritime component of the military forces of the Maratha Empire, active along the western coast of India from the mid-17th to early 19th century. It was established under the leadership of Shivaji, first Chhatrapati of Maratha Empire, in the 1650s to protect coastal trade routes and counter regional and European naval powers, including the Portuguese, the English East India Company, and the Siddis of Janjira.
Under commanders such as Admiral Kanhoji Angre, the navy expanded its influence, using small, maneuverable vessels like gallivats and grabs, and employing tactics adapted to coastal and shallow-water conditions. While primarily a coastal or "green-water" force, it played a significant role in challenging colonial shipping and asserting Maratha interests in maritime trade.
The navy’s effectiveness declined in the late 18th century due to internal rivalries, changing political dynamics, and the growing dominance of the British Royal Navy. It was ultimately dismantled following the Anglo-Maratha Wars.
Historian Sir Jadunath Sarkar noted:
Nothing proves Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's genius as a born statesman more clearly than his creation of a navy and naval bases.
In early Modern India, significant Muslim powers such as the Mughal Empire had paid less attention to building the naval arm of their military forces. This scenario changed, however, when the Portuguese arrived in India and started monopolizing and controlling trade on the western coast of the continent. Shivaji realized the importance of a strong navy and commissioned the building of the first Maratha naval vessel in a creek near Kalyan around 1654. He did this to mainly check the power of the Siddis of Janjira.
Shivaji took up the task of constructing multiple naval bases along the coast of present-day Maharashtra. He organized two fleets – one under the command of Admiral Maynak Bhandari and the other under Dαulat Khan. The Maratha Navy consisted mostly of native Konkani sailors; however, it was commanded mostly by mercenaries, including Siddi and Portuguese. Circa 1659, the Maratha Navy consisted of around 20 warships. Hiring mercenaries was relatively common in Maratha military culture and the Navy was no exception to this practice. The Portuguese naval officer Rui Leitão Viegas was hired as fleet commander, in part because the Maratha wanted to get insight into the Portuguese naval technology and capabilities. The Maratha knew the Portuguese had a powerful navy. The Portuguese convinced their mercenary officers to leave the service of the Maratha; however, the Portuguese allied with the Marathas when the latter went to war against the Mughals.
In 1679, Shivaji annexed the island of Khanderi, which was 11 miles (18 km) off the entrance to Mumbai. In response the English and the Siddi repeatedly attacked the island, but they were unable to oust the Maratha from the islands.