Question

Write a note on the Maratha - British relations.

Maratha Navy

Answer 1

Nothing proves Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Maharaj genius as a born statesman more clearly than his creation of a navy and naval bases. 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had foreseen the ulterior motives of these foreigners and their ways of infiltration. He built up strategies to arrest their advances in India. The immediate measures taken by him in this direction included the creation of a strong naval force and the construction of sea forts.

Siddi and the British always helped each other against a common enemy. To strengthen the Maratha position against these two, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj began to build a fort on Khanderi island. The construction work was supervised by Mainak Bhandari. Hughes, a British officer attempted to shut down the construction work by stopping the supplies to the site. The British had to face strong opposition from Mainak Bhandari and Daulat Khan, the chief of the Maratha navy. They seized British ships and captured a number of British officers. The British deployed one big steamship and seven small ships. 40- 50 small ships of the Marathas bravely confronted the British ships. In the end, the British were forced to beat a retreat from the vicinity of Khanderi.