Question

Write a note on the Maratha – Portuguese relation.

Peshwas and the Portuguese

Answer 1

Chimajiappa, brother of Bajirao Peshwa I, defeated the Portuguese at Vasai. The Marathas were the only Indian rulers to adopt a policy of resistance against the European colonizers.

Chimajiappa, the younger brother of Peshwa Bajirao I, was assigned the responsibility of the campaign against the Portuguese. At the onset of the campaign, Chimajiappa took over the fort at Thane. In March 1737, the Maratha army conquered the Sashti island. On another front, Shankaraji Phadke entered Vasai island. However, taking over Vasai was not enough to establish permanent control over the Portuguese territory until there was a complete victory over the fort of Vasai. The Marathas fought valiantly but their naval force was not strong enough. The Maratha siege of Vasai fort continued for two years and in the end, the Marathas defeated the Portuguese.