Maratha Navy: Difference between revisions

Maratha Navy
Maratha Navy
	flag of the Maratha Confederacy
Active	1654–1818
Country	Maratha Empire
Type	Navy
Role	Naval warfare
Commanders
Sarkhel (Admiral of the Mahratta Fleet)	Supreme commander
Notable; commanders	Admiral Maynak Bhandari (active between 1654–1679); Admiral Kanhoji Angre (active between 1698–1729); Admiral Yesaji Angre (active between (1729-1734); Admiral Tulaji Angre (active between 1743-1754); Admiral Anandrao Dhulap (active between 1764–1795); Fleet chief, Laya Sarpatil;

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The Maratha Navy was the naval wing of the armed forces of the Maratha Confederacy, which existed from around the mid-17th century to the mid-18th century in the Indian subcontinent.^[2]

Formative years

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.^[3]

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.^[4]

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 Dαutαt Khan. The Maratha Navy consisted mostly of native Konkani sailors; however, it was commanded mostly by mercenaries, including Siddi and Portuguese.^[5] 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 Maratha when the latter went to war against the Mughals.^[6]

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.^[7]

In 1674, the year of Shivaji's coronation, the Portuguese at Goa acknowledged the Maratha naval power and sent their emissary to Shivaji with gifts; they signed a treaty of friendship. Around this time, the Maratha Navy's strength was around 5,000 men and 57 warships. During its expedition to Karwar (present-day Karnataka), the navy possessed around 85 assorted Gallivats (warboat) ranging from 30 to 150 tons and 3 three-masted Gurabs/Grabs (warship).^[8]

Under Sambhaji Maharaj

The Maratha Navy fought many battles during Sambhaji Maharaj's reign from 1680 to 1689. Maynak Bhandari, Darya sarang and Daulat Khan were the admirals of the Maratha Navy in Sambhaji's reign.

The Siddis of Janjira formed an alliance with Aurangzeb and started to raid Maratha villages in Konkanin 1681. Aurangzeb had planned to blockade Sambhaji's territories from all sides and raids by the Siddis was part of that strategy. On his part, Sambhaji wanted to capture the strategically important fort of Janjira to dominate trade in the Arabian Sea.In late 1681, Sambhaji launched an amphibious siege on Janjira with 20,000 soldiers from the army and navy, commanding the force personally. Sambhaji planned to win the fort by deceiving Siddi. He sent a party led by senior Maratha Commander Kondaji Farzand to Siddi under the pretext of a fake quarrel with him.

The Mughal sardars Rahullakhan and Ranmastakhan had captured Kalyan and Bhiwandi in the year 1682. They destroyed the Durgadi fort near Kalyan. Sambhaji immediately wanted to capture the cities back and arrived in the region quickly. He immediately ordered the construction of Parsik fort on the Parsik Hill overlooking the Thane Creek as the Portuguese ships were using the Thane Creek to supply the enemies. Sambhaji Maharaj ordered his forces at Parsik to bombard any Portuguese supply ships crossing the Thane Creek. Sambhaji Maharaj later on defeated Rahullakhan and Ranmastakhan in the Battle of Kalyan-Dombivali and recaptured Kalyan and Bhiwandi. He immediately ordered repairs of the Durgadi fort at Kalyan. Kalyan was an important naval base for the Marathas.

The Maratha Navy reportedly raided Bharuch, an important trading center in Gujarat in 1687.

Sambhaji purchased Elephanta island to check the influence of the English East India Company (EIC) near Mumbai.^{[citation needed]}

Sambhaji Maharaj wanted to modernize the Maratha Navy. Hence he allied with the Arab naval commander Jange Khan. Sambhaji Maharaj invited him to Konkan to train the Maratha Navy in quick ship building and usage of artillery. Jange Khan accepted the offer and stayed with his troops in Konkan for six months in 1681. His men trained the Maratha Navy in various aspects of shipbuilding and artillery usage.

Sambhaji Maharaj was captured, tortured and then executed by Mughal forces under Aurangzeb in the year 1689. In his nine year reign the Maratha Navy had increased in size. He continued Shivaji Maharaj's policies to strengthen the navy. During his reign the Maratha Navy firmly held the control of coastline from Tarapur In North Konkan to Karwar in North Karnataka barring the regions of Mumbai, Janjira and Goa. He was well aware of importance of naval warfare and navy.^[9]^{[citation not found]}

Under Admiral Kanhoji Angre

After the death of Admiral Sidhoji Gujar around 1698, the Maratha Navy survived because of the extensive efforts of Koli^[10] Admiral Kanhoji Angre. Under his leadership, the influence of European trading companies was checked along the western coast of India. Kanhoji owed allegiance to supreme Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shahu and his first minister Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath. He gained their support to develop naval facilities on the western coast of India, or Konkan. Under the leadership of Kanhoji, the Maratha developed a naval base at Vijayadurg featuring dockyard facilities for building vessels, mounting guns, and making the ships sea-worthy. Their naval fleet consisted of ten gurabs/grabs (warship) and fifty gallivats (warboat). A gallivat had a displacement lower than 120 tons, while a grab could go as high as 400 tons.^[11]

Another ship type used was the Pal (Maratha Man-of-war), which was a cannon-armed, three-masted vessel. The grabs had broadsides of 6- and 9-pounder guns, and carried two 9- or 12-pounders on their main decks. These guns pointed forward through port-holes cut in the bulkheads. The gallivats were mostly armed with light swivel guns, but some also mounted six or eight cannons, either 2- or 4-pounders. These boats were propelled by forty to fifty oars.^[12] Even during the reign of Kanhoji Angre, the Maratha Government signed a treaty of friendship with the Portuguese in 1703. As per the treaty, the Portuguese agreed to supply cannon and gunpowder to the Maratha, supplies which they needed as they had only a few cannon foundries producing their own armaments. The Marathas signed a treaty with the Siddi as well, thus concentrating all their forces against the English East India Company.

By the beginning of the 18th century, Kanhoji Angre controlled the entire coastline from Sawantwadi to Mumbai, which is the entire coastline of present-day Maharashtra. He built fortifications on almost all creeks, cove, and harbours, such as a fortress or citadel with navigational facilities. Any ship sailing through Maratha territorial waters was to pay a levy called Chouth, which expressed Angre's dominance.^[13] Between 1717 and 1720, the EIC made at least two attempts to defeat the Maratha Navy, but were unsuccessful. In response to a EIC ship being captured by Kanhoji's seamen, the British attempted to capture Vijayadurg and Khanderi, but these attempts were unsuccessful.

"Mahratta Grabs and Gallivats attacking the sloop Aurora of the Bombay Marine." by Thomas Buttersworth c.1812
Maratha Grabs and Gallivats attacking an English-Ship
model of a Pal, one of the largest Maratha Ships.
Capture of the Ranger by Maratha Ships. C.1783
Sculpture depicting a Maratha Sailor
A fight between Maratha and East India Company sailors
Handwriting of the Angres, a predominant Maratha era naval family.
Sculpture depicting the Peshwa's Navy

Limitations

The Maratha Navy was primarily a coastal "green water" navy, compared to an ocean-going or "blue water" navy. Their ships were dependent on land/sea breezes. The Maratha did not build ships large enough to engage European ships out at sea far from the coastal waters.^[14]

Battle tactics

Some of the battle tactics of the Marathas (during the reign of Admiral Kanhoji Angre) were as below:

As far as possible, no engagement on the high seas; coastal waters were preferred, since the stronger winds at sea would benefit foreign ships because of their better spread of sail
Attack was generally from the leeward or astern side. If enemy ships were to pursue the Maratha ships, the latter could make the use of shallow creeks and bays as a cover, where larger enemy ships could not follow
Attack from astern ensured that the enemy ships could not bring to bear her broadside guns while Maratha Grabs could deploy its guns firing over the prow
A constant readiness for a retreat, making use of the creeks and fort guns
Enemy ships were captured by hand-to-hand combat after boarding the ship
Spread out ships in small squadrons rather than having them all at one place
Tire out the enemy by heavily defending the forts and avoid getting lured at open seas^[15]

Decline

By the mid 1700s, especially when compared to the Bombay Marine, the Maratha Navy declined in power rapidly. Unlike Kanhoji Angre, his successor Admiral Tulaji Angre resisted the authority of the ruling Peshwa (the de facto chief or the First Minister of Maratha Empire). The Peshwas (under Nanasaheb) (in concert with the British) engaged in a war against Tulaji, in which the British managed to get an opportunity to capture and burn a portion of the Maratha naval fleet.

The Peshwas reconfigured and re-established the navy under the leadership of the Dhulap family, in particular Rudraji Dhulap, as he succeeded Tulaji as the Admiral or Sarkhel of the Maratha Navy. The British were easily able to overpower the declining Maratha Navy during the First Anglo-Maratha War.^[16] Through the 1760s and 1780s, the Maratha Navy was commanded by Rudraji Dhulap and by Anandrao Dhulap. In the late 1700s, whenever the Marathas were engaged in battles or conflicts with either the British or Hyder Ali of Mysore, the Maratha Navy undertook operations against enemy ships.

In 1818, after the end of the third and final Anglo-Maratha War, the Angre family became a vassal of the British however a small Angre state lingered on till 1840, after which it was finally annexed to British India.^[17]

In popular media

The 2007 Hollywood film Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End portrays a character named Sri Sumbahjee, which is a purported reference to Sambhaji, son of Maratha Naval officer Kanhoji Angre.

Commemorations

In 2022, the Indian Naval Ensign was modified to include an Octagon, emulating the imperial seal of Chhatrapathi Shivaji.^[18]
The Western Naval command of the Indian Navy has been named INS Angre, in commemoration of Admiral Kanhoji Angre.^[19]
The Indian Navy has named two of its submarines as INS Khanderi after a Maratha sea fort of same name^[20]
The Indian Postal Service released a commemorative stamp depicting a Gurab and Pal of the Maratha fleet.^[21]

References

^ Nayeem, M. A. (2000). History of Modern Deccan, 1720/1724–1948: Political and administrative aspects. Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute. p. 19.
^ Sheshadri, Veena (22 October 2013). India: A to Z. Puffin Books. p. 22. ISBN 978-93-5118-426-3.
^ Bhave, YG (2000). From the Death of Shivaji Maharaj to the Death of Aurangzeb: The Critical Years. Northern Book Centre. p. 28. ISBN 9788172111007.
^ Naravane, M. S (2006). Battles of the Honourable East India Company: Making of the Raj. APH Publishing Corporation. p. 99. ISBN 81-313-0034-X.
^ Sridharan, K (2000). Sea: Our Saviour. New Age International (P) Ltd. p. 42. ISBN 9788122412451.
^ Cooper, Randolf GS (2003). The Anglo-Maratha Campaigns and the Contest for India. Cambridge University Press. p. 31. ISBN 9780521824446.
^ Sridharan, K (2000). Sea: Our Saviour. New Age International (P) Ltd. p. 43. ISBN 81-224-1245-9.
^ Singh, Jaswant (27 July 2016). Defending India. MacMillan India Limited. p. 76. ISBN 978-0-333-93210-0.
^ Sawant, Indrajit. Marathyanche Swatantrayuddha Bhag - 1 Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
^ LT GEN K. J., SINGH (5 November 2018). "As NDA cadet, I was witness to Vice Admiral Awati's kindness". ThePrint.In. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
^ Sridharan, K (2000). Sea: Our Saviour. New Age International (P) Ltd. p. 43. ISBN 9788122412451.
^ Bombay Gazetteer, Volume 11. Bombay (India : State). 1883. p. 147.
^ Sridharan, K (2000). Sea: Our Saviour. New Age International (P) Ltd. p. 43. ISBN 9788122412451.
^ Chander, Prakash (2003). India: Past and Present. APH Publishing Corporation. p. 236. ISBN 9788176484558.
^ Naravane, M.S (2006). Battles of the Honourable East India Company: Making of the Raj. APH Publishing Corporation. p. 100. ISBN 81-313-0034-X.
^ Kantak, MR (1993). The First Anglo-Maratha War, 1774-1783: A Military Study of Major Battles. Bombay Popular Prakashan. p. 21. ISBN 9788171546961.
^ Sharma, Yogesh (2010). Coastal Histories: Society and Ecology in Pre-modern India. Primus Books. p. 66. ISBN 978-93-80607-00-9.
^ "New Design of President's Standard and Colour and The Indian Navy Crest | Indian Navy". 6 December 2022. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
^ "Global Security".
^ "Second Scorpene class submarine INS Khanderi launched in Mumbai". The Indian Express [P] Ltd.
^ "Navy ships in tow". The Hindu. 2 March 2002. Archived from the original on 16 October 2003.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{short description|Combined naval force of Maratha Empire}}
+{{Multiple issues|
+{{Cleanup rewrite|date=March 2024}}
+{{Lead too short|date=March 2024}}
+{{More citations needed|date=March 2024}}
+}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
 {{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
 {{Infobox military unit
-|unit_name= Maratha Navy
+| unit_name                     = Maratha Navy
-| image = File:Mahratta pirates attacking the sloop 'Aurora', of the Bombay Marine, 1812; beginning of the action.jpg
+| image                         = Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg
+| caption                       = flag of the [[Maratha Confederacy]]
-|caption= "''Mahratta [[Grab (ship)|Grabs]] and [[Gallivat (boat)|Gallivats]] attacking the sloop [[HCS Aurora (1809)|Aurora]] of the Bombay Marine.''" by [[Thomas Buttersworth]]
+| dates                         = 1654–1818
-|dates= circa 1650-1818
+| country                       = [[File:Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg|border|22px]] [[Maratha Empire]]
-|country= India
+| type                          = [[Navy]]
-|allegiance = [[Maratha Empire]]
+| role                          = [[Naval warfare]]
-|type= [[Navy]]
+| size                          = <!-- Commanders -->
-|size= Peak size - Nearly 800 ships meant for stealth type of attack with approximately 60 or more war class ships; 5,000 men{{cn|date=July 2020}}
+| ceremonial_chief              = Supreme commander
-<!-- Commanders -->
+| ceremonial_chief_label        = ''Sarkhel'' (Admiral of the Mahratta Fleet)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nayeem |first1=M. A. |title=History of Modern Deccan, 1720/1724–1948: Political and administrative aspects |year=2000 |publisher=Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute |pages=19 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IjJuAAAAMAAJ&q=sarkhel+maratha}}</ref>
-|ceremonial_chief= Supreme commander
+| notable_commanders            = * [[Maynak Bhandari|Admiral Maynak Bhandari]] (active between 1654–1679)
-|ceremonial_chief_label= ''Sarkhel'' (Admiral of the Mahratta Fleet)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nayeem |first1=M. A. |title=History of Modern Deccan, 1720/1724-1948: Political and administrative aspects |publisher=Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute |pages=19 |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/History_of_Modern_Deccan_1720_1724_1948/IjJuAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=sarkhel+maratha&dq=sarkhel+maratha&printsec=frontcover}}</ref>
+* [[Kanhoji Angre|Admiral Kanhoji Angre]] (active between 1698–1729)
-|notable_commanders=
-* [[Maynak Bhandari|Admiral Mainak Bhandari]] (active 1654–1679)
+* [[Yesaji Angre|Admiral Yesaji Angre]] (active between (1729-1734)
-* [[Kanhoji Angre|Admiral Kanhoji Angre]] (active 1698–1729)
+* [[Tulaji Angre|Admiral Tulaji Angre]] (active between 1743-1754)
-* [[Admiral]] [[Anandrao Dhulap]] (active 1764–1795)
+* [[Admiral]] Anandrao Dhulap (active between 1764–1795)
+* [[Laya Sarpatil|Fleet chief, Laya Sarpatil]]
-<!-- Insignia -->
-|identification_symbol=
+<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol         =
-|identification_symbol_label=
+| identification_symbol_label   =
-|identification_symbol_2=
+| identification_symbol_2       =
-|identification_symbol_2_label=
+| identification_symbol_2_label =
 }}
-The '''maratha Navy''' was the naval wing of the armed forces of the [[Maratha Empire]], which existed from around mid-17th century to mid-18th century in [[India]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sheshadri|first1=Veena|title=India: A to Z|date=22 October 2013|publisher=Puffin Books|isbn=978-93-5118-426-3|pages=22|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5TmVAQAAQBAJ&pg=PT22}}</ref>
+The '''Maratha Navy''' was the naval wing of the armed forces of the [[Maratha Confederacy]], which existed from around the mid-17th century to the mid-18th century in the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sheshadri|first1=Veena|title=India: A to Z|date=22 October 2013|publisher=Puffin Books|isbn=978-93-5118-426-3|pages=22|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5TmVAQAAQBAJ&pg=PT22}}</ref>
 ==Formative years==
@@ Line 31: / Line 38: @@
 Historian Sir [[Jadunath Sarkar]] noted:
-{{Quote|Nothing proves Shivaji’s genius as a born statesman more clearly than his creation of a navy and naval bases.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bhave|first1=YG|title=From the Death of Shivaji Maharaj to the Death of Aurangzeb: The Critical Years|year=2000|publisher=Northern Book Centre|pages=28|isbn=9788172111007|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q5kVk6msxUcC&q=shivaji+navy&pg=PA28}}</ref>}}
+{{Blockquote|Nothing proves Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's genius as a born statesman more clearly than his creation of a navy and naval bases.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bhave|first1=YG|title=From the Death of Shivaji Maharaj to the Death of Aurangzeb: The Critical Years|year=2000|publisher=Northern Book Centre|pages=28|isbn=9788172111007|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q5kVk6msxUcC&q=shivaji+navy&pg=PA28}}</ref>}}
+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 India|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  [[Janjira State|Siddis of Janjira]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Naravane|first1=M. S|title=Battles of the Honourable East India Company: Making of the Raj|year=2006|publisher=APH Publishing Corporation|isbn=81-313-0034-X|pages=99|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bxsa3jtHoCEC&q=kanhoji+Angre+guns+boat&pg=PA99}}</ref>
+[[File:Shivaji's seal, enlarged.jpg|thumb|Imperial Seal of [[Chhatrapati Shivaji]]]]
-In medieval India, the Muslim rulers (such as the [[Deccan sultanates|Deccan Sultanates]] and [[Mughal Empire|Mughal Sultanate]]) had mostly ignored the naval arm of their military forces. It may be because they came overland from the North and won decisively in land battles. This scenario changed, however, when the [[Portuguese India|Portuguese]] arrived in India and started monopolizing and controlling trade on the western coast of the continent. Chhatrapati Shivaji realized the importance of a strong navy; the first [[keel]] of a Maratha naval vessel was laid down in a creek near [[Kalyan]] circa 1654.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Naravane|first1=M. S|title=Battles of the Honourable East India Company: Making of the Raj|year=2006|publisher=APH Publishing Corporation|isbn=81-313-0034-X|pages=99|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bxsa3jtHoCEC&q=kanhoji+Angre+guns+boat&pg=PA99}}</ref>
-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 [[Maynak Bhandari|Admiral Mainak Bhandari]] and the other under Daulet Khan. The Maratha Navy consisted mostly of native [[Konkani]] sailors; however, it was commanded mostly by [[Mercenary|mercenaries]], including [[Siddi]] and [[Portuguese India|Portuguese]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sridharan|first1=K|title=Sea: Our Saviour|year=2000|publisher=New Age International (P) Ltd.|pages=42|isbn=9788122412451|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PiwJF7V4EQC&q=kanhoji+angre&pg=PA43}}</ref> 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 [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] when the latter went to war against the Mughal Sultanate.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Cooper|first1=Randolf GS|title=The Anglo-Maratha Campaigns and the Contest for India|year=2003|publisher=Cambridge University Press|pages=31|isbn=9780521824446|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qweZWra_tbwC&q=shivaji+navy&pg=PA31}}</ref>
+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 [[Maynak Bhandari|Admiral Maynak Bhandari]] and the other under Dαutαt Khan. The Maratha Navy consisted mostly of native [[Konkani people|Konkani]] sailors; however, it was commanded mostly by [[Mercenary|mercenaries]], including Siddi and [[Portuguese India|Portuguese]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sridharan|first1=K|title=Sea: Our Saviour|year=2000|publisher=New Age International (P) Ltd.|pages=42|isbn=9788122412451|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PiwJF7V4EQC&q=kanhoji+angre&pg=PA43}}</ref> 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 [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] when the latter went to war against the Mughals.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Cooper|first1=Randolf GS|title=The Anglo-Maratha Campaigns and the Contest for India|year=2003|publisher=Cambridge University Press|pages=31|isbn=9780521824446|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qweZWra_tbwC&q=shivaji+navy&pg=PA31}}</ref>
 [[File:Diorama showing maratha naval tactics, National Museum, New Delhi (cropped).jpg |thumb|right|A diorama showing Maratha naval tactics, on display at the [[National Museum, New Delhi]]]]
-The [[Battle of Surat]] of 1664 was a well-coordinated one, whereby the Maratha used their [[Maratha Army|Army]] and Navy in a coordinated way.{{Citation needed|reason=Your explanation here|date=September 2016}} In 1679, Chhatrapati Shivaji annexed the island of [[Khanderi]], which was {{convert|11|mi}} off the entrance to [[Mumbai]]. In response the [[Company rule in India|English]] and the [[Siddi]] repeatedly attacked the island, but they were unable to oust the Maratha from the islands.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sridharan|first1=K|title=Sea: Our Saviour|year=2000|publisher=New Age International (P) Ltd.|isbn=81-224-1245-9|pages=43|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PiwJF7V4EQC&q=kanhoji+angre&pg=PA43}}</ref>
+In 1679, Shivaji annexed the island of [[Khanderi]], which was {{convert|11|mi}} off the entrance to [[Mumbai]]. In response the [[Company rule in India|English]] and the [[Janjira State|Siddi]] repeatedly attacked the island, but they were unable to oust the Maratha from the islands.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sridharan|first1=K|title=Sea: Our Saviour|year=2000|publisher=New Age International (P) Ltd.|isbn=81-224-1245-9|pages=43|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PiwJF7V4EQC&q=kanhoji+angre&pg=PA43}}</ref>
-Circa 1674, during Shivaji's coronation, the Portuguese at Goa noted and acknowledged the Maratha naval power and sent their emissary to Chhatrapati Shivaji with gifts; they signed a treaty of friendship. Around this time, the Maratha Navy's strength was around 5,000 men and 57 warships. During its expedition to [[Karwar]] (present-day [[Karnataka]]), the navy possessed around 85 assorted [[Gallivat (boat)|''Gallivats'']] (warboat) ranging from 30 to 150 tons and 3 three-masted [[Grab (ship)|''Gurabs/Grabs'']] (warship).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Jaswant|title=Defending India|date=27 July 2016|publisher=MacMillan India Limited|isbn=978-0-333-93210-0|pages=76|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0K_DAAAQBAJ&q=maratha+navy+portuguese+mercenaries&pg=PA75}}</ref>
+In 1674, the year of Shivaji's coronation, the Portuguese at Goa acknowledged the Maratha naval power and sent their emissary to Shivaji with gifts; they signed a treaty of friendship. Around this time, the Maratha Navy's strength was around 5,000 men and 57 warships. During its expedition to [[Karwar]] (present-day [[Karnataka]]), the navy possessed around 85 assorted [[Gallivat (boat)|''Gallivats'']] (warboat) ranging from 30 to 150 tons and 3 three-masted [[Grab (ship)|''Gurabs/Grabs'']] (warship).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Singh|first1=Jaswant|title=Defending India|date=27 July 2016|publisher=MacMillan India Limited|isbn=978-0-333-93210-0|pages=76|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0K_DAAAQBAJ&q=maratha+navy+portuguese+mercenaries&pg=PA75}}</ref>
-==Under Sambhaji==
+==Under Sambhaji Maharaj==
+{{More citations needed|section|date=October 2023}}
-The Maratha Navy fought many battles during Sambhaji's reign from 1680 to 1689. Mainak Bhandari, Darya sarang and Daulat Khan were the admirals of the Maratha Navy in Sambhaji Maharaj's reign.
+The Maratha Navy fought many battles during [[Sambhaji Maharaj]]'s reign from 1680 to 1689. Maynak Bhandari, Darya sarang and Daulat Khan were the admirals of the Maratha Navy in Sambhaji's reign.
-In the years 1678–79, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj started to build the naval forts of Khanderi and Colaba near Mumbai to check the alliance between the Siddis of [[Janjira State|Janjira]] and the [[English East India Company]]. The construction of these forts were incomplete at the time of Shivaji Maharaj's death in April 1680. Sambhaji succeeded him and immediately completed the remaining construction on these forts. Sambhaji Maharaj fortified these positions as his strongholds.
-The Siddis of Janjira started to raid Maratha villages in Konkan under the guidance of [[Aurangzeb]] in the year 1681. Aurangzeb had planned to surround Sambhaji Maharaj's Maratha kingdom from all sides hence he ordered his subordinate Siddi to raid Maratha territories. Sambhaji was furious upon hearing this but also knew the strategic importance of [[Murud-Janjira|Janjira]] Fort. He wanted to capture Janjira to dominate trade in the Arabian Sea. Sambhaji decided to punish the Siddis and capture Janjira in late 1681. Sambhaji launched an amphibious siege on Janjira with 20,000 soldiers from the army and navy, commanding the force personally. Sambhaji planned to win the fort by deceiving Siddi. He sent a party led by senior Maratha Commander [[Kondaji Farzand]] to Siddi under the pretext of a fake quarrel with him. The real plan was that Kondaji and his men would explode the gunpowder storage in the fort causing a great loss of soldiers, collapsing the walls and causing panic so that Maratha forces on shore would be able to attack and capture the shell-shocked fort. However, Siddi learned of the plan from one of the female party members and he executed the party members along with Kondaji Farzand. Only two members of the party managed to make it back to shore to Sambhaji Maharaj's camp. {{citation needed|date=April 2021}}
+The Siddis of Janjira formed an alliance with [[Aurangzeb]] and started to raid Maratha villages in Konkanin 1681. Aurangzeb had planned to blockade Sambhaji's territories  from all sides and raids by the Siddis  was part of that strategy. On his part, Sambhaji wanted to capture  the strategically  important fort of  [[Murud-Janjira|Janjira]] to dominate trade in the Arabian Sea.In late 1681, Sambhaji launched an amphibious siege on Janjira with 20,000 soldiers from the army and navy, commanding the force personally. Sambhaji planned to win the fort by deceiving Siddi. He sent a party led by senior Maratha Commander [[Kondaji Farzand]] to Siddi under the pretext of a fake quarrel with him.
-After the plan's failure, Sambhaji launched a fierce attack on Janjira. Maratha artillery started to damage the fort walls. 300 ships of the Maratha Navy were trying to attack the fort but the strong artillery of the Siddis managed to defend the fort. Both sides suffered great losses and neither side was able to gain an upper hand. Sambhaji maintained a constant pressure on Janjira and his artillery managed to inflict heavy damage to the fort walls. The Maratha Navy blockaded Janjira from three sides cutting off any supplies to the fort. Maratha forces started constructing a sea bridge from the shoreline to the fort. The bridge started to take shape. Siddis were caught in a dire situation and were battling a severe food shortage. The Siddis realised that if the same situation continues for a few days then Sambhaji would capture the fort. Hence they pleaded to Aurangzeb for help. Aurangzeb was well aware of the strategic importance of Janjira. He immediately sent General Hasan Ali Khan to destroy the [[Kalyan]] and [[Bhiwandi]] regions with a 35,000 strong force to divert Sambhaji's attack on Janjira. Hasan Ali Khan destroyed Kalyan and Bhiwandi and was threatening to attack Raigad, the Maratha capital. Sambhaji had almost captured Janjira but was forced to retreat from Janjira to check Hasan Ali Khan's advance. In absence of Sambhaji , his naval commander Dadaji Raghunath Deshpande of Mahad took control of the siege. Sambhaji later on beat back Hasan Ali Khan to Ahmadnagar but Janjira was saved due to his advance on Kalyan-Bhiwandi. Nevertheless Sambhaji and the Maratha Navy managed to inflict severe losses on the Siddis of Janjira and they never ventured against the Marathas for the rest of Sambhaji Maharaj's reign. The political goal of Sambhaji to stop the Siddis from helping Aurangzeb was achieved successfully, even though his military goal of capturing Janjira was not achieved.
+[[File:Painting of Vijaydurg sea fortress - Maratha Navy.jpg |thumb|right|A painting of [[Vijaydurg Fort|Vijaydurg sea fortress]] (built in the 17th century). The painting is a part of [[National War Museum, Pune]]]]
-The Mughal sardars Rahullakhan and Ranmastakhan had captured Kalyan and Bhiwandi in the year 1682. They destroyed the [[Durgadi Fort|Durgadi fort]] near Kalyan. Sambhaji immediately wanted to capture the cities back and arrived in the region quickly. He immediately ordered the construction of [[Parsik Hill|Parsik fort]] on the Parsik hill overlooking the [[Thane Creek]] as the Portuguese ships were using the Thane Creek to supply the enemies. Sambhaji Maharaj ordered his forces at Parsik to bombard any Portuguese supply ships crossing the Thane Creek. Sambhaji Maharaj later on defeated Rahullakhan and Ranmastakhan in the [[Battle of Kalyan-Dombivali]] and recaptured Kalyan and Bhiwandi. He immediately ordered repairs of the Durgadi fort at Kalyan. Kalyan was an important naval base for the Marathas.
-In the year 1682 the Marathas defeated the Portuguese in many small battles along the Konkan coastline, capturing Tarapur, and several other positions. Sambhaji was well aware of the strategic importance of [[Goa]]. Sambhaji Maharaj wanted to build a fort on [[Anjediva Island|Anjadiva Island]] off the coast of Karnataka in order to block Portuguese naval activity in the Goa region. His forces from the Karwar region landed on the island with construction material to construct the fort. When Portuguese got the news they reached the island and ousted the Marathas. Sambhaji Maharaj later on inflicted a crushing defeat on Portuguese in his Goa campaign of 1683. After this defeat, the Portuguese did not fight against the Marathas in rest of Sambhaji Maharaj's reign.
-In late 1683 Aurangzeb had sent his son [[Bahadur Shah I|Muazzam]] with a force of 100,000 troops, thousands of camels, elephants and horses to save the Portuguese from Sambhaji Maharaj's attack on Goa. He ordered him to descend via the Ramdara Ghat into Goa to help the Portuguese. Muazzam's primary objective was to attack Maratha territories in Konkan from the south. Aurangzeb ordered his navy at Surat to supply Muazzam's huge force in Goa. The Maratha Navy raided these supply ships and managed to capture a large portion of these supplies. This created a huge food shortage among Muazzam's forces. Consequently Muazzam's army had to retreat because of starvation, disease and constant guerilla attacks by Maratha army.
+The Mughal sardars Rahullakhan and Ranmastakhan had captured Kalyan and Bhiwandi in the year 1682. They destroyed the [[Durgadi Fort|Durgadi fort]] near Kalyan. Sambhaji immediately wanted to capture the cities back and arrived in the region quickly. He immediately ordered the construction of [[Parsik Hill|Parsik fort]] on the [[Parsik Hill]] overlooking the [[Thane Creek]] as the Portuguese ships were using the Thane Creek to supply the enemies. Sambhaji Maharaj ordered his forces at Parsik to bombard any Portuguese supply ships crossing the Thane Creek. Sambhaji Maharaj later on defeated Rahullakhan and Ranmastakhan in the [[Battle of Kalyan-Dombivali]] and recaptured Kalyan and Bhiwandi. He immediately ordered repairs of the Durgadi fort at Kalyan. Kalyan was an important naval base for the Marathas.
 The Maratha Navy reportedly raided [[Bharuch]], an important trading center in Gujarat in 1687.
-Sambhaji purchased [[Elephanta Island|Elephanta island]] to check the influence of British near Mumbai. {{cn|date=April 2021}}
+Sambhaji purchased [[Elephanta Island|Elephanta island]] to check the influence of the English [[East India Company]] (EIC) near Mumbai.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
-Sambhaji wanted to modernize the Maratha Navy. Hence he allied with the Arab naval commander Jange Khan. Sambhaji invited him to Konkan to train the Maratha Navy in quick ship building and usage of artillery. Jange Khan accepted the offer and stayed with his troops in Konkan for six months in 1681. His men trained the Maratha Navy in various aspects of shipbuilding and artillery usage.{{cn|date=April 2021}}
+Sambhaji Maharaj wanted to modernize the Maratha Navy. Hence he allied with the Arab naval commander Jange Khan. Sambhaji Maharaj invited him to Konkan to train the Maratha Navy in quick ship building and usage of artillery. Jange Khan accepted the offer and stayed with his troops in Konkan for six months in 1681. His men trained the Maratha Navy in various aspects of shipbuilding and artillery usage.
-Sambhaji died in the year 1689. In his nine year reign the Maratha Navy had increased in size. He continued Shivaji Maharaj's policies to strengthen the navy. During his reign the Maratha Navy firmly held the control of coastline from [[Tarapur, Maharashtra|Tarapur]] In North Konkan to [[Karwar]] in North Karnataka barring the regions of Mumbai, Janjira and Goa. He was well aware of importance of naval warfare and navy.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sawant|first=Indrajit|title=Marathyanche Swatantrayuddha Bhag - 1 Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Patil|first=Vishwas|title=Sambhaji|publisher=Mehta Publishing House|year=2016|isbn=9788177666519|location=Pune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Sawant|first=Shivaji|title=Chhava|publisher=Continental Publishers|location=Pune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Jadhav|first=Namdevrao|title=Khara Sambhaji|publisher=Rajamata Prakashan|year=2014|isbn=978-8191098037|location=Pune}}</ref>
+Sambhaji Maharaj was captured, tortured and then executed by [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] forces under [[Aurangzeb]] in the year 1689. In his nine year reign the Maratha Navy had increased in size. He continued Shivaji Maharaj's policies to strengthen the navy. During his reign the Maratha Navy firmly held the control of coastline from [[Tarapur, Maharashtra|Tarapur]] In North Konkan to [[Karwar]] in North Karnataka barring the regions of Mumbai, Janjira and Goa. He was well aware of importance of naval warfare and navy.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sawant|first=Indrajit|title=Marathyanche Swatantrayuddha Bhag - 1 Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj}}</ref>{{Citation not found|date=October 2024}}
 ==Under Admiral Kanhoji Angre==
+{{More citations needed|section|date=October 2023}}
-[[File:Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre I.jpg |thumb|right|A portrait of Admiral Kanhoji Angre]]
+[[File:Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre I.jpg |thumb|right|A portrait of [[Kanhoji Angre|Admiral Kanhoji Angre]]]]
-After the death of [[Admiral]] Sidhoji Gujar around 1698, the Maratha Navy survived because of the extensive efforts of [[Koli People|Koli]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/as-nda-cadet-i-was-witness-to-vice-admiral-awatis-kindness/145378/|title=As NDA cadet, I was witness to Vice Admiral Awati's kindness|last=LT GEN K. J.|first=SINGH|website=ThePrint.In|access-date=7 November 2018}}</ref> Admiral [[Kanhoji Angre]]. Under his leadership, the British naval power was checked along the western coast of India. Kanhoji owed allegiance to  supreme Maratha ruler [[Chhatrapati Shahu]] and his first minister [[Balaji Vishwanath|Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath]]. He gained their support to develop naval facilities on the western coast of India, or [[Konkan]]. Under the leadership of Kanhoji, the Maratha developed a naval base at [[Vijaydurg Port|Vijayadurg]] featuring dockyard facilities for building vessels, mounting guns, and making the ships sea-worthy. Their naval fleet consisted of ten [[grab (ship)|''gurabs/grabs'']] (warship) and fifty [[gallivat (boat)|''gallivats'']] (warboat). A gallivat had a displacement lower than 120 tons, while a grab could go as high as 400 tons.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sridharan|first1=K|title=Sea: Our Saviour|year=2000|publisher=New Age International (P) Ltd.|pages=43|isbn=9788122412451|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PiwJF7V4EQC&q=kanhoji+angre&pg=PA43}}</ref>
+After the death of [[Admiral]] Sidhoji Gujar around 1698, the Maratha Navy survived because of the extensive efforts of [[Koli People|Koli]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/as-nda-cadet-i-was-witness-to-vice-admiral-awatis-kindness/145378/|title=As NDA cadet, I was witness to Vice Admiral Awati's kindness|last=LT GEN K. J.|first=SINGH|website=ThePrint.In|date=5 November 2018 |access-date=7 November 2018}}</ref> Admiral [[Kanhoji Angre]]. Under his leadership, the influence of European trading companies was checked along the western coast of India. Kanhoji owed allegiance to  supreme Maratha ruler [[Chhatrapati Shahu]] and his first minister [[Balaji Vishwanath|Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath]]. He gained their support to develop naval facilities on the western coast of India, or [[Konkan]]. Under the leadership of Kanhoji, the Maratha developed a naval base at [[Vijaydurg Port|Vijayadurg]] featuring dockyard facilities for building vessels, mounting guns, and making the ships sea-worthy. Their naval fleet consisted of ten [[grab (ship)|''gurabs/grabs'']] (warship) and fifty [[gallivat (boat)|''gallivats'']] (warboat). A gallivat had a displacement lower than 120 tons, while a grab could go as high as 400 tons.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sridharan|first1=K|title=Sea: Our Saviour|year=2000|publisher=New Age International (P) Ltd.|pages=43|isbn=9788122412451|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PiwJF7V4EQC&q=kanhoji+angre&pg=PA43}}</ref>
-Another ship type used was the ''Pal'' (Maratha [[Man-of-war]]), which was a cannon-armed, three-masted vessel. The grabs had broadsides of 6- and 9-pounder guns, and carried two 9- or 12-pounders on their main decks. These guns pointed forward through port-holes cut in the bulkheads. The gallivats were mostly armed with light swivel guns, but some also mounted six or eight cannons, either 2- or 4-pounders. These boats were propelled by forty to fifty oars.<ref>{{cite book|title=Bombay Gazetteer, Volume 11|year=1883|publisher=Bombay (India : State)|pages=147|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QKJg1dQsk7oC&q=kanhoji+Angre+guns+boat+vijaydurg&pg=PA147}}</ref> Even during the reign of Kanhoji Angre, the Maratha Government signed a treaty of friendship with the Portuguese in 1703. As per the treaty, the Portuguese agreed to supply [[cannon]] and [[gunpowder]] to the Maratha, supplies which they needed as they had only a few cannon [[Foundry|foundries]] producing their own armaments. The Marathas signed a treaty with the Siddi as well, thus concentrating all their forces against the English East India Company.
+Another ship type used was the ''Pal'' (Maratha [[Man-of-war]]), which was a cannon-armed, three-masted vessel. The grabs had broadsides of 6- and 9-pounder guns, and carried two 9- or 12-pounders on their main decks. These guns pointed forward through port-holes cut in the bulkheads. The gallivats were mostly armed with light [[swivel gun]]s, but some also mounted six or eight cannons, either 2- or 4-pounders. These boats were propelled by forty to fifty oars.<ref>{{cite book|title=Bombay Gazetteer, Volume 11|year=1883|publisher=Bombay (India : State)|pages=147|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QKJg1dQsk7oC&q=kanhoji+Angre+guns+boat+vijaydurg&pg=PA147}}</ref> Even during the reign of Kanhoji Angre, the Maratha Government signed a treaty of friendship with the Portuguese in 1703. As per the treaty, the Portuguese agreed to supply [[cannon]] and [[gunpowder]] to the Maratha, supplies which they needed as they had only a few cannon [[Foundry|foundries]] producing their own armaments. The Marathas signed a treaty with the Siddi as well, thus concentrating all their forces against the English East India Company.
-By the beginning of the 18th century, Kanhoji Angre controlled the entire coastline from [[Sawantwadi]] to [[Mumbai]], which is the entire coastline of present-day [[Maharashtra]]. He built [[fortification]]s on almost all creeks, cove, and harbours, such as a fortress or [[citadel]] with navigational facilities. Any ship sailing through Maratha territorial waters was to pay a levy called ''Chouth'', which expressed Angre's dominance.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sridharan|first1=K|title=Sea: Our Saviour|year=2000|publisher=New Age International (P) Ltd.|pages=43|isbn=9788122412451|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PiwJF7V4EQC&q=kanhoji+angre&pg=PA43}}</ref> Between 1717 and 1720, the East India Company made at least two attempts to defeat the Maratha Navy, but were unsuccessful. In response to a British ship being captured by Kanhoji's seamen, the British attempted to capture Vijayadurg and Khanderi, but these attempts were unsuccessful.
+By the beginning of the 18th century, Kanhoji Angre controlled the entire coastline from [[Sawantwadi]] to [[Mumbai]], which is the entire coastline of present-day [[Maharashtra]]. He built [[coastal fortification|fortification]]s on almost all creeks, cove, and harbours, such as a fortress or [[citadel]] with navigational facilities. Any ship sailing through Maratha territorial waters was to pay a levy called ''Chouth'', which expressed Angre's dominance.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sridharan|first1=K|title=Sea: Our Saviour|year=2000|publisher=New Age International (P) Ltd.|pages=43|isbn=9788122412451|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PiwJF7V4EQC&q=kanhoji+angre&pg=PA43}}</ref> Between 1717 and 1720, the EIC made at least two attempts to defeat the Maratha Navy, but were unsuccessful. In response to a EIC ship being captured by Kanhoji's seamen, the British attempted to capture Vijayadurg and Khanderi, but these attempts were unsuccessful.<gallery>
+File:Mahratta pirates attacking the sloop 'Aurora', of the Bombay Marine, 1812; beginning of the action.jpg|"''Mahratta [[Grab (ship)|Grabs]] and [[Gallivat (boat)|Gallivats]] attacking the sloop [[HCS Aurora (1809)|Aurora]] of the Bombay Marine.''" by [[Thomas Buttersworth]] c.1812
+File:Maratha-Grabs-and-Gallivats-attacking-an-English-Ship.jpg|Maratha Grabs and Gallivats attacking an English-Ship
-[[File:Sindhudurg Fort West wall.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Sindhudurg Fort]] near the [[Maharashtra]]-[[Goa]] border, one of the several [[Sea fort|naval fortifications]] built by the Maratha Navy]]
+File:Model of Maratha Warship - DattaPaal.jpg|model of a ''Pal,'' one of the largest Maratha Ships.
+File:Capture of the Ranger 1783.jpg|Capture of the Ranger by Maratha Ships. C.1783
+File:Statue of a Maratha Navy sailor.jpg|Sculpture depicting a Maratha Sailor
+File:Sea-fight with the Mahrattas.jpg|A fight between Maratha and East India Company sailors
+File:Handwriting of the great Angres.jpg|Handwriting of the Angres, a predominant Maratha era naval family.
+File:Peshwa's Navy.jpeg|Sculpture depicting the [[Peshwa|Peshwa's]] Navy
+</gallery>[[File:Sindhudurg Fort West wall.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Sindhudurg Fort]] near the [[Maharashtra]]-[[Goa]] border, one of the several [[Sea fort|naval fortifications]] built by the Maratha Navy]]
 ==Limitations==
-The Maratha Navy was primarily a coastal "green water" navy, compared to an ocean-going or "blue water" navy. Their ships were dependent on land/sea breezes. The Maratha did not build ships large enough to engage the British out at sea far from the coastal waters.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Chander|first1=Prakash|title=India: Past and Present|year=2003|publisher=APH Publishing Corporation|pages=236|isbn=9788176484558|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4_Rl5c_v1-kC&q=andaman+island+maratha&pg=PA236}}</ref>
+The Maratha Navy was primarily a coastal "[[Green water navy|green water]]" navy, compared to an ocean-going or "[[Blue water navy|blue water]]" navy. Their ships were dependent on land/sea breezes. The Maratha did not build ships large enough to engage European ships out at sea far from the coastal waters.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Chander|first1=Prakash|title=India: Past and Present|year=2003|publisher=APH Publishing Corporation|pages=236|isbn=9788176484558|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4_Rl5c_v1-kC&q=andaman+island+maratha&pg=PA236}}</ref>
 ==Battle tactics==
@@ Line 84: / Line 100: @@
 * As far as possible, no engagement on the high seas; coastal waters were preferred, since the stronger winds at sea would benefit foreign ships because of their better spread of sail
 * Attack was generally from the [[List of ship directions|leeward]] or [[List of ship directions|astern]] side. If enemy ships were to pursue the Maratha ships, the latter could make the use of shallow creeks and bays as a cover, where larger enemy ships could not follow
-* Attack from astern ensured that the enemy ships could not bring to bear her [[broadside]] guns while Maratha Grabs could deploy its guns firing over the [[prow]]
+* Attack from astern ensured that the enemy ships could not bring to bear her [[Broadside (naval)|broadside]] guns while Maratha Grabs could deploy its guns firing over the [[prow]]
-* A constant readiness for a retreat, making use of the [[creek (tidal)|creek]]s and [[Naval artillery|fort guns]]
+* A constant readiness for a retreat, making use of the [[creek (tidal)|creek]]s and [[Coastal artillery|fort guns]]
-* Enemy ships were captured by hand-to-hand combat after boarding the ship
+* Enemy ships were captured by hand-to-hand combat after [[Naval boarding|boarding]] the ship
 * Spread out ships in small squadrons rather than having them all at one place
 * Tire out the enemy by heavily defending the [[Sea fort|forts]] and avoid getting lured at open seas<ref>{{cite book|last1=Naravane|first1=M.S|title=Battles of the Honourable East India Company: Making of the Raj|year=2006|publisher=APH Publishing Corporation|isbn=81-313-0034-X|pages=100|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bxsa3jtHoCEC&q=kanhoji+Angre+guns+boat&pg=PA99}}</ref>
@@ Line 92: / Line 108: @@
 ==Decline==
+[[File:A View of the Attack made on the Fort of Geriah by Admiral Watson, 13 February 1756.jpg|thumb|British and Maratha fleets engage in the [[Battle of Vijaydurg]].]]
-By the mid 1700s, especially when compared to the Bombay Marine, the Maratha Navy declined in power rapidly. Unlike Kanhoji Angre, his successor ''Admiral Tulaji Angre'' resisted the authority of the ruling [[Peshwa]] (the ''de facto'' chief or the First Minister of [[Maratha Empire]]). The Peshwas (under [[Balaji Baji Rao|Nanasaheb]]) (in concert with the British) engaged in a war against Tulaji, in which the British managed to get an opportunity to capture and burn a portion of the Maratha naval fleet. The Peshwas reconfigured and re-establish the navy under the leadership of the ''Dhulap family''. The [[Company Rule in India|British]] were easily able to overpower the declining Maratha Navy during the [[First Anglo-Maratha War]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kantak|first1=MR|title=The First Anglo-Maratha War, 1774-1783: A Military Study of Major Battles|year=1993|publisher=Bombay Popular Prakashan|pages=21|isbn=9788171546961|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cdXnVOKKkssC&q=maratha+navy&pg=PA20}}</ref> Through 1760s and 1780s, the Maratha Navy was commanded by ''Rudraji Dhulap'' and by ''Anandrao Dhulap''. In the late 1700s, whenever the Marathas were engaged in battles or conflicts with either the [[Company rule in India|British]] or [[Mysore State|Haider Ali of Mysore]], the Maratha Navy undertook operations against enemy ships. In 1818, after the end of the third and final [[Third Anglo-Maratha War|Anglo-Maratha War]], the Angre family became a vassal of the British however a small ''Angre state'' lingered on till 1840, after which it was finally annexed to [[Company rule in India|British India]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sharma|first1=Yogesh|title=Coastal Histories: Society and Ecology in Pre-modern India|year=2010|publisher=Primus Books|isbn=978-93-80607-00-9|pages=66|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FTTGWSme30YC&q=maratha+dhulap+navy&pg=PA66}}</ref>
+By the mid 1700s, especially when compared to the [[Bombay Marine]], the Maratha Navy declined in power rapidly. Unlike Kanhoji Angre, his successor Admiral [[Tulaji Angre]] resisted the authority of the ruling [[Peshwa]] (the ''de facto'' chief or the First Minister of [[Maratha Empire]]). The Peshwas (under [[Balaji Baji Rao|Nanasaheb]]) (in concert with the British) engaged in a war against Tulaji, in which the British managed to get an opportunity to capture and burn a portion of the Maratha naval fleet.
+The Peshwas reconfigured and re-established the navy under the leadership of the ''Dhulap family'', in particular [[Dhulap family|Rudraji Dhulap]], as he succeeded Tulaji as the Admiral or Sarkhel of the Maratha Navy. The [[Company Rule in India|British]] were easily able to overpower the declining Maratha Navy during the [[First Anglo-Maratha War]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Kantak|first1=MR|title=The First Anglo-Maratha War, 1774-1783: A Military Study of Major Battles|year=1993|publisher=Bombay Popular Prakashan|pages=21|isbn=9788171546961|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cdXnVOKKkssC&q=maratha+navy&pg=PA20}}</ref> Through the 1760s and 1780s, the Maratha Navy was commanded by ''Rudraji Dhulap'' and by ''Anandrao Dhulap''. In the late 1700s, whenever the Marathas were engaged in battles or conflicts with either the [[Company rule in India|British]] or [[Hyder Ali]] of [[Kingdom of Mysore|Mysore]], the Maratha Navy undertook operations against enemy ships.
+In 1818, after the end of the third and final [[Third Anglo-Maratha War|Anglo-Maratha War]], the Angre family became a vassal of the British however a small ''Angre state'' lingered on till 1840, after which it was finally annexed to [[Company rule in India|British India]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sharma|first1=Yogesh|title=Coastal Histories: Society and Ecology in Pre-modern India|year=2010|publisher=Primus Books|isbn=978-93-80607-00-9|pages=66|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FTTGWSme30YC&q=maratha+dhulap+navy&pg=PA66}}</ref>
 ==In popular media==
-The 2007 Hollywood film ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End]]'' portrays a character named Sri Sumbahjee, which is a purported reference to Sambhaji son of, Maratha Naval officer, [[Kanhoji Angre]].
+The 2007 Hollywood film ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End]]'' portrays a character named Sri Sumbahjee, which is a purported reference to Sambhaji, son of Maratha Naval officer [[Kanhoji Angre]].
 ==Commemorations==
+* In 2022, the [[Indian Naval Ensign]] was modified to include an Octagon, emulating the imperial seal of [[Shivaji|Chhatrapathi Shivaji]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-06 |title=New Design of President's Standard and Colour and The Indian Navy Crest {{!}} Indian Navy |url=https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/new-design-president%E2%80%99s-standard-and-colour-and-indian-navy-crest |access-date=2024-03-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206155246/https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/new-design-president%E2%80%99s-standard-and-colour-and-indian-navy-crest |archive-date=6 December 2022 }}</ref>
 * The Western Naval command of the Indian Navy has been named INS ''Angre'', in commemoration of Admiral Kanhoji Angre.<ref>{{cite web|title=Global Security|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/ins-angre.htm}}</ref>
 * The [[Indian Navy]] has named two of its submarines as {{INS|Khanderi}} after a Maratha sea fort of same name<ref>{{cite news|title=Second Scorpene class submarine INS Khanderi launched in Mumbai|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/scorpene-kalvari-class-submarine-ins-khanderi-launched-mumbai-4470239/|publisher=The Indian Express [P] Ltd.}}</ref>
@@ Line 107: / Line 129: @@
 *[[Indian maritime history]]
 *[[History of India]]
+*[[History of the Indian Navy]]
 ==References==
 {{Reflist}}
+==Further reading==
-[[Category:Maratha Empire]]
+* {{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Amarendra |date=2023-06-23 |title=Maratha Navy |url=https://oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780199791279/obo-9780199791279-0232.xml |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=[[Oxford Bibliographies Online|Oxford Bibliographies]] |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en |doi=10.1093/obo/9780199791279-0232|isbn=978-0-19-979127-9 }}
+* {{Cite book |last=Apte |first=B. K. |title=A history of the Maratha navy and merchantships  |date=January 1973 |publisher=State Board of Literature and Culture, Government of Maharashtra |location=Bombay}} ([https://sahitya.marathi.gov.in/scans/A%20history%20of%20the%20maratha%20navy%20and%20merchantships.pdf physical scan], [https://sahitya.marathi.gov.in/ebooks/A%20HISTORY%20OF%20THE%20MARATHA%20NAVY%20AND%20MERCHANTSHIPS.pdf ebook version])
+[[Category:Maratha Confederacy]]
+[[Category:Maratha Navy]]
 [[Category:Naval history of India]]
-[[Category:Disbanded navies]]