Marathas Naval Supremacy

Marathas Naval Supremacy

News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of Navy Day (December 4), paid tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and unveiled a grand statue of the 17th century Maratha king at the coastal fort of Sindhugarh, Maharashtra.

Marathas and Indian Navy:
• The Indian Navy has always acknowledged the sea-faring prowess of the Marathas, under Shivaji and later. It has named its training establishment in Lonavla as INS Shivaji, and the shore-based logistics and administrative hub of the Western Naval Command, Mumbai, as INS Angre — after Kanhoji Angre (1669- 1729), the celebrated Maratha naval commander.
• Shivaji realised the importance of having a secure coastline and protecting the western Konkan coastline from the attacks of Siddis’ [Afro-Indians allied with Deccani Sultans] fleet”

Shivaji’s Navy:
• Between 1661 and 1663, the Maratha Navy came into existence, and at its peak included 400-odd ships of various kinds and sizes.
• These included both larger battleships, and other vessels of varying shapes and purposes, such as the gurab, tarande, galbat, shibad, and pal.
• Between 1653 and 1680, Shivaji ordered the construction of multiple naval forts, starting with the Vijaydurg in 1653, and followed by the likes of Sindhudurg and Kolaba.

Limitations of His navy:
• Strategic objectives remained limited to countering Siddis.
• The Marathas, could never really challenge The European naval power in the high seas.

Who was Kanhoji Angre?
• Kanhoji Angre, also known as Conajee Angria or Sarkhel Angré, was a chief of the Maratha Navy in presentday India. He was born in August 1669 and died on 4 July 1729.
• His naval prowess in capturing dozens of European trading ships and avoiding capture has led many historians to appraise Kanhoji as the most skilled Indian navy chief in the maritime history of India.
• The Maratha ruler, Rajaram, appointed him the admiral of the navy in 1698 and gave him the title of Sarkhel.
• Kanhoji led the Maratha navy established by Shivaji. He used his ships to protect Maratha merchants from the pirates operating in the Malabar, and in securing the sovereignty of the sea for the Maratha state.