The Birth of the Maratha Navy — A Turning Point in the Indian History

The Navy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a glorious chapter in Maratha history. It was an audacious and visionary step that changed the course of history.

In 1655, after conquering the Javali region in western Maharashtra, Maharaj gained access to Konkan. In the times to come, his interactions with Siddis of Janjira and European powers intensified.

Siddis were a formidable force and brutal rulers who engaged in slavery and committed many atrocities. They ruled from Janjira, an impregnable sea fort.

European powers such as the English, Dutch, French, and Portuguese controlled several key areas on the coast, like Goa and Kalyan. They had a heavy naval presence and many barracks along the Konkan coastline. They controlled areas that were known for the supply of outstanding timber.

European powers used this strength to meddle in regional politics by aligning with local rulers as per their convenience and exploiting the fault lines.

Shivaji Maharaj recognized that to counter these rivals, it was essential to build a navy. The primary objective of the Navy was the security of the coastal region and its people.

During this time, the English were trying to capture and control the Kalyan area, a historically significant port and trading center. The region also produced excellent-quality timber and had numerous workshops.

Shivaji Maharaj moved swiftly, and in 1657, won the towns of Kalyan, Bhiwandi, and Pen. These were strategically significant places along the heart of the trading routes of the region.

At Kalyan, Bhiwandi, and Pen, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj started building 20 warships, which laid the foundation of the Maratha navy.

Building ships faced one innate challenge. Since the fall of Kadambas, for almost 300 years, no Indian king had commanded a navy. Indian craftsmen did not know how to build warships.

Maharaj thus employed 300+ Portuguese craftsmen to the task. These craftsmen were eventually snatched by the Portuguese governor of Vasai, but by then, the critical knowledge transfer had taken place.

This development rattled the other powers, and the Portuguese held a meeting in Goa to discuss the new challenge. They opposed this move vehemently. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj allayed their fears by asserting that the goal of the Maratha navy was to restrain the Siddis.

This diplomatic stance ensured that the Europeans relented for some time, and it gave Maharaj the breathing space to develop the first fleet.

The arrival of the Maratha navy in the sea was a momentous event. For the first time in centuries, an Indian king had launched a navy.

In the time to come, this navy would go on to defeat all rival powers and establish critical influence on the west coast. It would open international trade for the Marathas and influence the trade of powers as well.

One of the most significant impacts of this development was the decline in the slave trade from the west coast. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj fiercely opposed the slave trade and curtailed it during their reigns by all possible means.

The foundation of the Maratha navy is one of the foremost examples of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s exemplary leadership, defined by a grand vision, audacious ambitions, astute diplomacy, swift decision-making, and unyielding compassion for the common people.

In “The Governance and Leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” Dr. Kedar Phalke discusses these points in much greater detail and depth.

Visit the link below to discover more about this fascinating chapter in Indian history and the remarkable leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

https://bharatvidya.in/p/governance-leadership-of-chhatrapati-shivaji-maharaj