Why Chhatrapati Shivaji is called the ‘Father of the Indian Navy’

Following Vasco da Gama’s arrival at Calicut in 1498, the Portuguese established control over the Arabian Sea and its trade routes. They introduced the Cartaz system, which required trade permits, and often destroyed ships that did not comply, limiting Indian merchants. To solidify their power, the Portuguese established colonies along the Konkan Coast, including in Vasai, Chaul, Daman, Goa, Basrur, and Mangalore, supported by a strong naval fleet.

Meanwhile, the English East India Company established its first factory in Surat in 1613. By 1665, the Company gained control of Bombay and began fortifying the southeastern corner of the island with a fort, completed in 1683. They also began constructing warships, including the Hunter with 14 cannons and the Revenge with 22 cannons, while procuring smaller local ships armed with cannons for defence.

Alongside the Portuguese and the British, the Dutch and the French were also active along the Indian coastline. The Siddis had established themselves at Janjira on the Konkan coast. As skilled seafarers, they initially served the Adilshahi and later the Mughals, maintaining a strong naval presence with a fleet of 20 warships and four Gurabs (frigates).

“When Shivaji began his career of independence the coast of Konkan was infested with alien powers. The Siddi was very powerful and a sworn enemy of the Maratha State. He carried fire and sword everywhere on the Maratha coast. He was a standing nuisance, ‘troublesome like a mouse in the house’,” says the Sabhasad Bakhar, a Shivaji biography in Marathi.

Amidst this turbulent political landscape, Shivaji laid the foundation of his kingdom or ‘Swarajya’ by capturing Torna Fort (in present-day Pune district). A crucial moment in his rise to power came with the defeat of Afzal Khan, a powerful general of the Adilshahi Sultanate who had been sent to suppress Shivaji’s growing influence. Shivaji incorporated much of the Konkan and Kolhapur regions into Swarajya, gaining control of important northern ports such as Kalyan and Bhiwandi, and strengthening his influence over trade and maritime affairs.

Between 1657 and 1658, Shivaji extended his dominion along a 100-km stretch of the Konkan coast, from the Savitri River to the northern forts of Kohoj and Asherigad. He also captured several key forts, including Surgad, Birwadi, Tala, Ghosale, Sudhagad, Kangori, and Raigad (then called Rairi), expanding his kingdom and directly challenging the Siddi territories.

How did Shivaji begin building his navy?

Having secured control over the coastal regions, Shivaji recognised the need for naval power to counter European dominance over maritime trade routes and protect vital exports along the Konkan coast. With foreign trade essential for state revenue and pirates posing a constant threat, Shivaji understood that naval strength was needed to safeguard his kingdom. Unlike other regional kingdoms in the Indian subcontinent, which struggled to manage maritime disruptions, Shivaji’s vision led to the establishment of a formidable navy.

As historian Surendranath Sen observed in his book, Administrative System of the Marathas (1925), while the Marathas excelled in land warfare, the sea was a new frontier, and Shivaji remains the only ruler in Indian history to create a navy with a clear political strategy.

Although direct records on how Shivaji began building his navy are scarce, Portuguese documents provide valuable insights. Around 1659, shipbuilding activities began in Kalyan and Bhiwandi. A Portuguese advisory council meeting on July 19, 1659, discussed a letter from Antonio Castro, the captain of Vasai, to the Governor of Goa. Castro reported that Shivaji was constructing a fleet of 20 sangvisel (a type of Indian ship) in Bhiwandi, Kalyan, and Pen to challenge the Siddis. The project was overseen by Portuguese naval officer Rui Leitão Viegas and Shivaji sought Portuguese permission for timber and access to ports for shipbuilding.

Castro raised concerns that granting such permissions could create a powerful rival and urged the governor to strengthen Vasai’s defences. In response, the Portuguese advisory council took steps to disrupt Shivaji’s efforts. João de Salazar from Vasai was tasked with hindering the shipbuilding process, using religious loyalty to the Portuguese crown to persuade workers to abandon the project.

Despite these obstacles, Portuguese records acknowledge significant progress in Shivaji’s naval endeavours. Documents note that 50 warships were being built at Chaul, with seven already launched. Dutch records similarly mention Shivaji’s frigates, fort construction, and naval activities in Harnai. These accounts highlight how European powers closely monitored and resisted Shivaji’s vision of a strong navy, yet they also mark the beginning of a remarkable maritime legacy in Indian history.

From merchant ships to warships: What the Adnyapatra says

The Adnyapatra, authored by Ramchandrapant Amatya, served as a guide for managing state affairs in the Maratha Empire, particularly for Chhatrapati Shivaji’s grandson, Sambhaji II. This document covers governance, administration, and naval policies, reflecting the strategies that strengthened the empire.

The Maratha fleet was divided into two categories: merchant ships and warships. Merchant ships included Machwas, Shibads, Padavs, Tarandes, and Pagars, while warships included Gurabs, Galbats, Mahagiris, Shibads, Tarandes, Taruses, and Pagars. Though exact fleet numbers are unclear, English records from 1665 estimate Shivaji’s navy at 85 ships, manned by 5,000 sailors, with three large Gurabs. By 1673, the fleet had grown to 33 ships.

A painted scroll showing Gurab, Galbat and other types of warships of the Maratha Navy (Wikimedia Commons)

The Chitragupta Bakhar (1760-1770), a biography of Shivaji based on Sabhasad Bakhar, provides more details, listing 30 large Gurabs, 1,000 Galbats, 150 Mahagiris, 50 small Gurabs, 10 small boats, 150 smaller boats, 60 Taraves, 25 Pal ships, 15 Jug-class ships, and 50 Machwas.

The Adnyapatra also mentions the division of the navy into two subhas (divisions), each consisting of five Gurabs and 15 Galbats. It specifies that naval personnel’s salaries should be state-determined, ensuring the proper maintenance and operational efficiency of the fleet. This structured approach underscores the Marathas’ strategic focus on naval power for trade, defence, and warfare.

Importance of forts in Shivaji’s naval strategy

Chhatrapati Shivaji recognised the critical role of forts in ensuring naval defence, incorporating them strategically into his maritime policy. These forts were classified into three categories: forts at river mouths, built on promontories near creeks or rivers; coastal forts, positioned directly along the coastline; and island forts, constructed on islands close to the coast. The strategic forts along the Konkan coast were crucial to the Maratha Navy, serving as safe harbours, supply depots, and operational strongholds that bolstered its maritime strength.

In addition to fortifications, the Adnyapatra laid down specific guidelines for naval warfare. These included continuous sea patrols, regular procurement of ammunition and supplies from secure locations like Janjira, and the need for constant surveillance of enemy movements. The guidelines emphasised strategic, coordinated responses in battle, such as uniting all ships in a naval encounter and retreating to safe harbours when strong winds hindered regrouping. The document also advised caution in attacking enemies, suggesting surrounding them from a distance and using cannons to weaken their position before a direct assault.

(Prajakta Rane, Loksatta.com Graphics team)

While there is no direct evidence of a large-scale naval war, records indicate that Shivaji’s navy engaged in numerous attacks and established dominance over the Konkan coastline and surrounding seas. Notably, his navy captured ships belonging to the Adilshahi, the Portuguese, and the British.

The first significant naval campaign occurred in February 1665 when Shivaji set sail from Malvan (in present-day Maharashtra) with his fleet of 85 frigates and three large ships, raiding Basrur (in Karnataka) without resistance from the Portuguese in Goa. This campaign at Basrur marks a key milestone in Shivaji’s naval history, showcasing his ability to challenge dominant maritime powers. After looting Basrur, he visited the Hindu temple at Gokarna, advanced to Ankola (in present-day Karnataka), and then marched to Karwar (a seaside city in Karnataka). The campaign, reported in an English letter dated March 14, 1665, reveals Shivaji’s strategic prowess, marking a pivotal moment in the history of Maratha naval power.

Other clashes

The naval skirmishes between Shivaji and the Siddis are well-known. Shivaji made several attempts to capture the formidable Janjira fort but was unsuccessful due to the stronghold’s natural defences and the Siddis’ support from the Portuguese. However, the Siddis soon realised they were no match for Shivaji’s growing power and eventually accepted Portuguese suzerainty for protection.

Recognising each other’s strengths, the Marathas and the Portuguese entered into a treaty, allowing Shivaji to tactically manoeuvre around Portuguese interests while maintaining his focus on expanding his kingdom. Despite treaties with the Portuguese, clashes continued between the Maratha Navy and the Mughal-Siddi alliance. However, capturing Janjira remained an elusive goal for the Marathas.

Realising the need for an alternative naval base, Shivaji turned his attention to Khanderi Island near Mumbai. The first attempt to take Khanderi was made in 1662 but was abandoned due to a lack of fresh water on the island. A renewed effort was launched in 1679 and Shivaji deployed troops and supplies to the island. This move posed a significant threat to British interests as Khanderi under Shivaji’s control symbolised a direct challenge to their dominance in Mumbai. The British strongly opposed Shivaji’s occupation but were ultimately forced to retreat.

Maratha Grabs and Gallivats attacking an English-Ship (Wikimedia Commons)

Although the navy established by Shivaji was not vast, he understood that the success of European traders lay in their naval strength. Shivaji utilised the natural geography of the Konkan region to strategically position forts, ports, and naval bases. He leveraged the local population’s knowledge of the sea and maritime navigation to strengthen his navy. By adopting innovative strategies, he secured trade routes, protected ports, and fostered economic growth through increased trade.

The Maratha emperor’s visionary approach to naval warfare, coupled with his strategic foresight, earned him the title of the ‘Father of the Indian Navy’. And in 2022, as a tribute to Shivaji’s legacy, the Indian Navy adopted a new ensign with an elegant blue octagonal emblem, inspired by his royal seal.

References:

Apte, B.K. A History of the Maratha Navy and Merchant Ships. 1973.

Joshi, P.R. Amatya, Amatyakrut Adnyapatra. 1969.

Mookerji, R.K. History of Indian Shipping. 1912.

Pendse, S. Maratha Armar: ek anokhe parva. 2017.

Sarkar, J. Shivaji and His Times. 1919.

Sen, S.N. Administrative System of the Marathas. 1923.