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{{short description|Combined naval force of Maratha Empire}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}

{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Maratha Navy
| image = File:Mahratta pirates attacking the sloop 'Aurora', of the Bombay Marine, 1812; beginning of the action.jpg
| caption = "''Mahratta [[Grab (ship)|Grabs]] and [[Gallivat (boat)|Gallivats]] attacking the sloop [[HCS Aurora (1809)|Aurora]] of the Bombay Marine.''" by [[Thomas Buttersworth]]
| dates = circa 1650–1818
| country = India
| allegiance = [[Maratha Empire]]
| type = [[Navy]]
| size =
| ceremonial_chief = Supreme commander
| 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>
| notable_commanders = * [[Maynak Bhandari|Admiral Mainak Bhandari]] active 1654–1679
* [[Kanhoji Angre|Admiral Kanhoji Angre]] (active 1698–1729)
* [[Admiral]] [[Anandrao Dhulap]] (active 1764–1795)
* [[Laya Sarpatil|Fleet chief, Laya Sarpatil]]
| identification_symbol =
| identification_symbol_label =
| identification_symbol_2 =
| 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>

==Formative years==

Historian Sir [[Jadunath Sarkar]] noted:

{{Blockquote|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>}}

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>

[[File:Shivaji's seal, enlarged.jpg|thumb|Royal Seal of [[Chhatrapati Shivaji]]]]

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 dαutαt 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>

[[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, 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>

Circa 1674, during Shivaji's coronation, the Portuguese at Goa noted and 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 Maharaj==
The Maratha Navy fought many battles during Sambhaji Maharaj's reign from 1680 to 1689. Mainak Bhandari, Darya sarang and Daulat Khan were the admirals of the Maratha Navy in Sambhaji's reign.

In the years 1678–79, 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 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 Maharajs's Maratha kingdom from all sides hence he ordered his subordinate Siddi to raid Maratha territories. Sambhaji Maharaj 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's camp.

[[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]]]]

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 Maharaj 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 Maharaj 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 Maharajs's attack on Janjira. Hasan Ali Khan destroyed Kalyan and Bhiwandi and was threatening to attack Raigad, the Maratha capital. Sambhaji Maharaj had almost captured Janjira but was forced to retreat from Janjira to check Hasan Ali Khan's advance. In absence of Sambhaji Maharaj, his naval commander Dadaji Raghunath Deshpande of Mahad took control of the siege. Sambhaji Maharaj later on beat back Hasan Ali Khan to Ahmadnagar but Janjira was saved due to his advance on Kalyan-Bhiwandi. Nevertheless Sambhaji Maharaj 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's reign. The political goal of Sambhaji Maharaj to stop the Siddis from helping Aurangzeb was achieved successfully, even though his military goal of capturing Janjira was not achieved.

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 Maharaj 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 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.

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 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>

==Under Admiral Kanhoji Angre==
[[File:Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre I.jpg |thumb|right|A portrait of 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>

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.

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.

[[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>

==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 [[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 (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]]
* 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 [[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>
[[File:Maratha ships scroll.jpg |thumb|right|A painted scroll showing Gurab, Galbat and other types of warships of the Maratha Navy]]

==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 [[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>

==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==
* 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>
* The Indian Postal Service released a commemorative stamp depicting a ''[[Grab (ship)|Gurab]]'' and ''Pal'' of the Maratha fleet.<ref>{{cite news|title=Navy ships in tow|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/yw/2002/03/02/stories/2002030200230400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031016001909/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/yw/2002/03/02/stories/2002030200230400.htm|url-status=dead|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2002-03-02|archive-date=2003-10-16}}</ref>

==See also==
{{commons category|Maratha Navy}}

*[[Indian maritime history]]
*[[History of India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Maratha Empire]]
[[Category:Maratha Navy]]
[[Category:Naval history of India]]
[[Category:Disbanded navies]]

Maratha Navy - Revision history

Bot at 05:02, 10 December 2022