Maratha navy
Topic: The Marathas · NCERT: Class 8, Ch 3 "The Marathas"
Meaning
Shivaji created the Maratha navy in the 17th century to protect the western coast and its resources. It was a revolutionary step. Bijapur had merchant ships but no full-time navy to protect them, and the Mughals made only very limited use of a navy. In the 18th century Kanhoji Angre won many sea battles by using the coastline and clever tactics cleverly, even though his ships were less advanced. The Europeans forced Indian ships to buy a cartaz (a Portuguese sea pass). Angre turned this system around and made European ships buy Maratha passes. The angry Europeans called him a 'pirate'.
Example
In 1665, four of Shivaji's ships reached Muscat and were seized. The ruler of Oman got ready to attack Shivaji's coast. When he heard the Maratha navy had more than a hundred ships, he pulled back into his harbour.
Don't confuse with
- Cartaz: this was the Portuguese system of sea passes forced on Indian ships. The Marathas did not invent it. They turned it against the Europeans.
Related concepts
- Adnyapatra
- Bargir and shiledar
- Bargi raids
- Maratha Military Landscapes
- Sindhudurg Fort
- Kanhoji Angre