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{{Short description|Former Maratha principality}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox Former Country
| conventional_long_name = Colaba State
| common_name = Angria's Colaba
| era = [[Early modern period#Indian empires|Early modern]]
| government_type = [[Military dictatorship|Military Regime]]
| leader_name1 =
| year_start = 1698
| status = State within the [[Maratha Confederacy]] (1698–1818) [[Protectorate]] of the [[East India Company]] (1818–1839)
| year_end = 1839
| p1 = Maratha Empire
| flag_p1 = Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg
| p2 = Janjira State{{!}}Siddis of Janjira
| flag_p2 = Flag of Janjira.svg
| s1 = Company rule in India{{!}}British India
| flag_s1 = Flag of the British East India Company (1801).svg
| image_map =
| image =
| image_map_alt =
| image_map_caption =
| capital = [[Alibag|Kolaba]]
| common_languages =
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
| title_leader = [[Admiral|Sarkhel]]
| year_leader1 = 1689 – 1729 (first)
| leader1 = [[Kanhoji Angre|Kanhoji I]]
| year_leader2 = 1839 (last)
| leader2 = Kanhoji II
| today = [[India]]
| demonym =
| area_km2 =
| area_rank =
}}
'''Colaba State''', also known as [[Alibag|Culaba]] State or Angria's Colaba<ref name="appeal">{{cite book | author=East India Company |title=An Appeal to British Justice and Honour. The treatment of the protected native states of India by the Government of the East India Company, illustrated in the case of the State or Principality of Colaba, commonly called Angria's Colaba, near Bombay, in the East Indies |date=1841 |publisher=Smith, Elder&Company |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R6pUWmpnSMYC&q=Colaba+State |language=en}}</ref> was a Kingdom and later [[princely state]] in [[India]]. It was founded by the famous [[Maratha Navy]] admiral [[Kanhoji Angre]] in 1698.<ref name="g">{{cite web |title=Maratha Period- Kolaba district |url=https://gazetteers.maharashtra.gov.in/cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/KOLABA/his_maratha_period.html |website=Maharashtra Cultural gov. |publisher=Directorate Of Printing And Stationery Maharashtra State, Bombay.}}</ref> 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 British forces and those of the Maratha [[Peshwa]] [[Balaji Baji Rao]] destroyed the major portion of their navy in the [[Battle of Vijaydurg]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kulkarni |first1=Prof A. R. |title=The Marathas |date=1 July 2008 |publisher=Diamond Publications |isbn=978-81-8483-073-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N45LDwAAQBAJ&dq=Angre+family+kolaba&pg=PT162 |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Sambhaji Angre Samadhi - Front.jpg|150px|thumb|Tomb of Sambhaji Angre]]

===Angre Family===
[[Kanhoji Angre]] was a highly successful [[Maratha Empire|Maratha]] captain and rose through the ranks to become Grand Admiral of the [[Maratha Navy]] in 1707. [[Alibag|Colaba]] was one of his major bases of [[privateer]]ing 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 the defeat of the [[Peshwa]], Kanhoji was planning to march on [[Satara (city)|Satara]] ruled by [[Shahu I|Chhatrapati Shahu]]. [[Balaji Vishwanath Bhatt]] negotiated with the latter for the release of [[Bahiroji Pingale]] and gave 26 Forts to Kanhoji, thus the Colaba State came into existence.<ref name="archive">{{cite book |last1=Pawar |first1=a g |title=Maratha History Seminar Papers |date=1971 |page= 279 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.127046/page/n269/mode/2up?q=Angre}}</ref><ref name="cam">{{cite book |last1=Gordon |first1=Stewart |title=The Marathas 1600-1818 |date=16 September 1993 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-26883-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHK-BhVXOU4C&q=New+Cambridge+History+of+India:+The+Marathas,+1600-1818 |language=en}}</ref>

The state was then successively ruled by the sons of Kanhoji: Sekhoji Angre (1729–1733), Sambhaji Angre (1733–1742), [[Tulaji Angre]] (1743–1756) and Manaji Angre I (1733–1758). All of them were skilled seamen, however, the division of the Angre coastal territory into north and south under Manaji (at [[Alibag|Kolaba]]) and Sambhaji (at [[Vijaydurg Fort|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.<ref name="hamai">{{cite web |title=The Gazetteers Department - RATNAGIRI |url=http://maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/RATNAGIRI/places_Harnai.html |date=14 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080114041058/http://maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/RATNAGIRI/places_Harnai.html |archive-date=2008-01-14 }}</ref><ref name="pi">{{cite book |last1=Saletore |first1=Rajaram Narayan |title=Indian Pirates |date=1978 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1PVMMoChwY4C&q=Tulaji |language=en}}</ref><ref name="mh">{{cite web |title=The Legacy of the Angre's on the Western Coast of India – Maritime History Society |date=April 2022 |url=https://www.mhsindia.org/the-legacy-of-the-angres-on-the-western-coast-of-india/#more-3924}}</ref> However, he alienated himself from the [[Maratha Empire|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.<ref name="battle">Naravane, M. S.; Battles of the Honorary East India Company: Making of the Raj, op cit page 103, New Delhi, 2006</ref><ref name="ma">{{cite book |title=History of the Mahrattas Vol.I |pages=364 |url=https://www.indianculture.gov.in/ebooks/history-mahrattas-voli |language=en}}</ref><ref name="sah">{{cite book |title=Tulaji Angre Ek Vijaydurg - तुळाजी आंग्रे एक विजयदुर्ग By Prof. S. S. Puranik - Buy Marathi Books Online At Sahyadri Books, Tulaji Angre |url=https://sahyadribooks.com/tulaji-angre-ek-vijaydurg/}}</ref> The battle led to the destruction of a major portion of the Angre navy and significantly reduced their influence. Manaji Angre I continued to loyally serve the [[Peshwa]] and ruled well, increasing the revenue of his kingdom, until his death in 1758.<ref name="down">{{cite book |title=Downfall of Angre's Navy, Or, A Contemporary Narrative of the Siege of Gheria (Vijayadurga) |date=1967 |publisher=Mumbai Marathi Granthsangrahalaya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=410_AAAAMAAJ&q=angre+family |language=en}}</ref> He was succeeded by his son Raghuji Angre as ruler of [[Alibag|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. In the same year, the [[Janjira State|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 28 January 1759 and presented it to the [[Peshwa]] as a gift for his help against the [[Janjira State|Siddis of Janjira]]. The [[Padmadurg|Padmadurg fort]] was also captured. Janjira would have been captured as well, if not for [[Sadashivrao Bhau]] being recalled to the north.<ref name="g"/> 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 [[privateer]]ing.<ref name="pi"/> The kingdom was prosperous and the people lived well during his rule. [[James Forbes (artist)|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.<ref name="cam"/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Forbes |first1=James |title=Oriental Memoirs: A Narrative of Seventeen Years Residence in India |date=1834 |publisher=Richard Bentley |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r2IOAAAAQAAJ&q=Oriental+Memoirs |language=en}}</ref>

Raghuji's death in 1793 led to a succession crisis in Kolaba. His infant son Manaji Angre II was placed on the throne under the protection of Jai Singh Angre, the [[karbhari]] (an illegitimate son of Raghuji Angre), without the approval of the [[Peshwa]] (prime minister).<ref name="pi"/><ref name="dhabu">{{cite book |last1=Dhabu |first1=Damodar Gopal |title=Kulabkar Angre |publisher=Shivsamarth Prakashan |isbn=978-8194085928 |page=254 |language=Marathi}}</ref> Anandibai Bhonsle, the wife of the late king, hatched a plot to kill Jai Singh Angre as she envied his influence. The plot was thwarted, and Anandibai along with her family members was banished from [[Alibag|Kolaba]]. Subsequently, Anandibai raised an army, besieged the [[Kolaba Fort|Kolaba fort]] and imprisoned Jai Singh. After the tides turned back and forth multiple times, Jai Singh Angre sought the help of Baburao Angre, the ''wazir'' (prime minister) and brother-in-law of [[Daulat Rao Scindia]], the king of [[Gwalior State|Gwalior]].

Baburao Angre was a member of the Angre family, and he secretly wanted to take Kolaba for himself. Baburao Angre set out for [[Alibag|Kolaba]], and after a number of victories against different members of the Angre family, became the ruler of Kolaba. Baburao died in 1813, and for a year after his death the state was managed by his widow. Then Manaji Angre II proclaimed himself chief and his claim was recognized by the [[Peshwa]], who received the island of [[Khanderi]] and twenty villages in return for his support. These villages were restored to the Angres in 1818, a few days before the out-break of hostilities between the [[Peshwa]] and the [[Company rule in India|English]] in the [[Third Anglo-Maratha War]]. This political instability caused the yearly revenue fell to about Rs. 3,00,000. Manaji Angre II died in 1817 after a turbulent reign.<ref name="g"/>

During the [[Third Anglo-Maratha War]], after the capture of [[Visapur Fort|Visapur]] and [[Lohagad]] fort near the top of the [[Bhor Ghat]] mountain pass, Lieutenant-Colonel David Prother, on 17 March 1818, made arrangements for the capture of all places of strength in Kolaba. [[Tala, Raigad|Tala]] and [[Ghosale gad|Ghosala]] fell almost without resistance, and the British troops marched from [[Indapur]] to [[Mahad]]. Major Hall was sent to [[Raigad Fort|Raigad]] with 200 Europeans and 200 sepoys, after a stubborn siege of eleven days, the fort was surrendered by the Marathas.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maharashtra State Gazetteers: Kolaba District |url=https://archive.org/stream/dli.csl.3270/3270_djvu.txt |publisher=Bombay, Government Press |access-date=5 January 2023 |date=1883}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

Manaji was succeeded by his son Raghuji Angre II, who was fourteen years old at the time. During Raghuji's minority the State was managed by his late father's minister Vinayak Parashuram Biwalkar.<ref name="silver">{{cite web |title=Silver Rupee of Maratha Confederacy |url=https://www.mintageworld.com/media/detail/6748-silver-rupee-of-maratha-confederacy/ |website=Mintage World |language=en |date=5 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Maharashtra State Gazetteers: Sangli |date=1964 |publisher=Directorate of Government Print., Stationery and Publications, Maharashtra State |page=116 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=91BuAAAAMAAJ&q=Vinayak+Parashuram+Bivalkar |language=en}}</ref> On reaching manhood, Raghuji was unable to free himself from the influence of [[karbhari]] Biwalkar, who had won the support of all officers and ruined the finances by extravagant expenditure.
In June 1822, the relations between the Kolaba state and the [[Company rule in India|British Government]] were fixed by a treaty under which the British supremacy was recognized, [[jagir]]dars and [[Inamdar (feudal title)|inamdars]] were guaranteed the possession of their lands, and provision was made for the relations of the ruler's family.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Aitchison |first1=C. U. |last2=Talbot |first2=A. C. |title=A Collection of Treaties, Engagements, and Sunnuds Relating to India and Neighbouring Countries (Volume IV) |date=10 September 2019 |publisher=Alpha Editions |isbn=978-93-5386-651-8 |pages=499–502 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-dO-yQEACAAJ |language=en}}</ref>

It was said by the local people that Raghuji's rule under the influence of Biwalkar "was marked by great cruelty and oppression". Years after his rule, it was remembered as the rule of "Angarak" or [[Mars]] (the planet of evil influence in [[Hindu astrology]]).<ref name="mumbai">{{cite book |last1=State) |first1=Bombay (India |title=Gazetteer |date=1883 |publisher=Government Central Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QKJg1dQsk7oC&dq=Vinayak+Parashuram+Bivalkar&pg=PA156 |language=en}}</ref> Raghuji Angre II died on 26 December 1838. He left three widows, of whom Yashodabai was pregnant with the late ruler's child. Mr. Courtenay was sent to Kolaba to prevent a succession crisis of any sort, and reported on 29 January 1839 to the government that Yashodabai had given birth to a son. Before the recognition of Raghuji's posthumous son the succession to the Kolaba State was claimed by [[Sambhajirao Angre I|Sambhajirao Angre]], the prime minister of [[Jankoji Rao Scindia II]] and Baburao Angre's nephew. [[Sambhajirao Angre I|Sambhajirao Angre]]'s claim was supported by the resident of [[Gwalior State|Gwalior]], but was rejected by the Bombay Government.

===Annexation===
Yashodabai's son was recognized as ruler with the regal name Kanhoji Angre II on 6 February 1839. Vinayak Parshuram Biwalkar, the [[karbhari]], was to manage the affairs of state. However, Kanhoji II died shortly after on 21 March 1839 and with his death the legitimate line of the Angre family became extinct.<ref name="mumbai"/> The [[Kolaba Fort|fort of Kolaba]] had to be handed over to the English in the same year. Raghuji II's widows applied for leave to adopt an heir. But in 1840, the state was annexed on the grounds of the [[Doctrine of lapse]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sharma |first1=Yogesh |title=Coastal Histories: Society and Ecology in Pre-modern India |date=2010 |publisher=Primus Books |isbn=978-93-80607-00-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FTTGWSme30YC&dq=angre+family&pg=PA66 |language=en}}</ref> and that small princely states like Kolaba had only stood in the way of progress in the region. All personal property of the Angres was distributed among the surviving members of the family and the three widows of Raghuji Angre II got annual pensions.<ref name="mumbai"/><ref name="g"/>

==Gwalior branch==
[[File:Children of Chandrojirao Angre, c.1938.jpg|150 px|thumb|Children of Chandroji Angre]]
[[File:Sri Daulat Rao Sediya with his maternal uncle Sambaji and brother-in-law Hindura (6124578553).jpg|150 px|thumb|Daulat Rao Scindia with his maternal uncle Sambhajirao Angre and brother-in-law Hindu Rao]]
There was a branch family of the Angres at [[Gwalior State|Gwalior]] which had served the [[Scindia]] rulers of [[Gwalior State|Gwalior]] as prime ministers and other influential positions for over two centuries.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Malgonkar |first1=Manohar |title=Last Maharani of Gwalior, The: An Autobiography |date=1 January 1987 |publisher=State University of New York Press |isbn=978-1-4384-1924-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oPP4CxyH4QQC&dq=Sambhaji+Rao+Angre&pg=PA92 |language=en}}</ref> At times they tried to claim the throne of Kolaba for themselves, but failed.<ref name="g"/> [[Chandroji Angre|Chandrojirao Angre]], its descendant, distinguished himself as the champion of Hinduism and was popularly called "Dharmvir". [[Chandroji Angre|Chandrojirao Angre]]'s son [[Sambhaji Angre]] was an influential politician and strong supporter of [[Vijaya Raje Scindia]], and was involved in a legal fight against [[Madhavrao Scindia]] over property issues and the will of the late [[Vijaya Raje Scindia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Angre, master of palace intrigue |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/angre-master-of-palace-intrigue/cid/604522 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref>

==Coins==
The only coins that were struck by the Angre government were the Alibag-Kolaba or "old Alibag rupee" the Janjira-Kolaba or "new Alibag rupee" (issued by the influential [[karbhari]] Vinayak Parshuram Biwalkar),<ref name="silver"/> and the Alibag copper pice.<ref name="archive2">{{cite book |title=Gazetteer Of The Bombay Presidency Vol Xi 1883 |date=1883 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.281424/page/n105/mode/2up?q=Angria}}</ref> The old Alibag-Kolaba rupee was the first in circulation and bore a Persian inscription. The new Janjira-Kolaba rupee had on both sides the word "[[Shri|sri]]" accompanied by a small drilled hole.<ref name="silver"/><ref name="archive2"/>

==List of rulers==
*[[Kanhoji Angre|Kanhoji I Angre]] (1698–1729)
*Sekhoji Angre (1729–1733)
*Sambhaji Angre (1733–1742)
*Manaji I Angre (1733–1758), jointly with Sambhaji Angre (1733–1742) and then [[Tulaji Angre]] (1742–1755)
*Raghuji I Angre (1758–1793)
*Manaji II Angre (1793-c.1798), first reign
*Baburao Angre (c. 1798–1813)
*Manaji II Angre (1813–1817), second reign
*Raghuji II Angre (1817-26 December 1838)
*Kanhoji II Angre (6 February 1839 – 21 March 1839)

==See also==
{{commons category|Angre Family}}
*[[Kanhoji Angre]]
*[[Tulaji Angre]]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

{{coord missing|Maharashtra}}

[[Category:Princely states of Maharashtra]]

Colaba State - Revision history

Bhatti21 at 06:26, 3 May 2026