Colaba State
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Colaba State, also known as Culaba State was a small princely state in India under the British Raj. The Rulers Of Colaba State were Mahadev Kolis of Maharashtra. It was founded by the famous Maratha Navy admiral Kanhoji Angre in 1698.[1] The ruling family of the state, the Angre, were skilled seafarers who controlled the western coast of India from the late 17th century- to the first half of the 18th century, until the Maratha Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao destroyed the major portion of their navy in the Battle of Vijaydurg.[2]
History
Angre Family
Kanhoji Angre was a highly successful Koli Maratha captain and rose through the ranks to become Grand Admiral of the Maratha Navy in 1707. Colaba was one of his major bases of privateering operations. In 1713, Kanhoji Angre started to grow increasingly independent, hence an army was sent against Kanhoji headed by the Peshwa Bahiroji Pingale. Bahiroji Pingale was thoroughly defeated by Kanhoji in this battle and was taken prisoner. After defeat of the Peshwa, Kanhoji was planning to march on Satara ruled by Shahu I. Shahu I negotiated with the latter for the release of Bahiroji Pingale and gave 26 Forts to Kanhoji, thus the Colaba State came into existence.[3][4]
The state was then successively ruled by the sons of Kanhoji: Sekhoji Angre (1729-1733), Sambhaji Angre (1733 To 1742), Tulaji Angre (1743 To 1756) and Manaji Angre (1733 To 1758). All of them were skilled seamen, however, the division of the Angre coastal territory into north and south under Manaji (at Kolaba) and Sambhaji (at Vijaydurg) respectively, greatly reduced the family's power. Tulaji Angre, according to many scholars, even surpassed the achievements of Kanhoji in capturing vessels and exercising influence on almost the whole west coast of India.[5][6][7] However, he alienated himself from the Maratha Peshwa, Balaji Baji Rao which led to his capture by the East India Company and Peshwa's forces at the Battle of Vijaydurg in 1756.[8][9][10][9] The battle led to the destruction of a major portion of the Angre navy and significantly reduced their influence. Manaji Angre continued to loyally serve the Peshwa and ruled well, increasing the revenue of his kingdom, until his death in 1758.[11] He was succeeded by his son Raghuji Angre as ruler of Kolaba, who had a successful reign.
Angres of Kolaba
As mentioned above, Raghuji Angre succeeded his father Manaji Angre as ruler of Kolaba in 1758. Raghuji continued to server the Peshwa loyally but he was accused of attacking English ships as well. After him, none of the Angres ever practiced privateering.[6] The kingdom was prosperous and the people lived well during his rule. James Forbes, a sea captain of the East India Company, visited Raghuji Angre in 1770 and described that the country was fertile and prosperous, and he was treated with lavish hospitality.[4][12] The Siddis of Janjira attacked the kingdom, destroyed many temples and burnt many villages, however Raghuji drove them out with the Peshwa's aid. Subsequently, he attacked the Underi fort, took it after a severe struggle on 28th January 1759 and presented it to the Peshwa as a gift for his help against the Siddis of Janjira. The Padmadurg fort was also captured. Janjira would have been captured as well, if not for Sadashivrao Bhau being recalled to the north.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Maratha Period- Kolaba district". Maharashtra Cultural gov. DIRECTORATE OF PRINTING AND STATIONARY MAHARASHTRA STATE, BOMBAY.
- ^ Kulkarni, Prof A. R. (1 July 2008). The Marathas. Diamond Publications. ISBN 978-81-8483-073-6.
- ^ Pawar, a g (1971). Maratha History Seminar Papers. p. 279.
- ^ a b Gordon, Stewart (16 September 1993). The Marathas 1600-1818. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-26883-7.
- ^ "The Gazetteers Department - RATNAGIRI". web.archive.org. 14 January 2008.
- ^ a b Saletore, Rajaram Narayan (1978). Indian Pirates. Concept Publishing Company.
- ^ "The Legacy of the Angre's on the Western Coast of India – Maritime History Society".
- ^ Naravane, M. S.; Battles of the Honorary East India Company: Making of the Raj, op cit page 103, New Delhi, 2006
- ^ a b Tulaji Angre Ek Vijaydurg - तुळाजी आंग्रे एक विजयदुर्ग By Prof. S. S. Puranik - Buy Marathi Books Online At Sahyadri Books, Tulaji Angre.
- ^ History of the Mahrattas Vol.I. p. 364.
- ^ Downfall of Angre's Navy, Or, A Contemporary Narrative of the Siege of Gheria (Vijayadurga). Mumbai Marathi Granthsangrahalaya. 1967.
- ^ Forbes, James (1834). Oriental Memoirs: A Narrative of Seventeen Years Residence in India. Richard Bentley.