The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c14.45

c14.45

Did Shivaji employ European sailors in his navy? We have reason to believe that he did. Europeans had enjoyed the reputation of being good gunners and good sailors since the date of their first appearance in India, and Indian merchants were eager to secure the services of European captains and European sailors for their sea-going vessels. If they were welcomed by owners of merchantmen, it is but natural that they should have been welcomed by the leaders of the fighting fleet in an epoch when foreigners were not excluded from the military or naval services of the State. In a petition, already referred to, submitted by Joao de Salazar de Vasconcellos we read that when the security of Bassein was threatened by Shivaji’s fleet in 1659, and the Captain of that city had been ordered by the Governors of Goa to prevent the exit of that fleet at any cost, it was suggested that the danger could be evaded by causing the defection of three hundred soldiers in Shivaji’s service. This was effected by the petitioner, Joao de Salazar de Vasconcellos, because he was a friend of the Captain, Ruy L. Viegas, who was obviously a Portuguese. The men under his command are described as ‘soldados’ (soldiers) and ‘home’s de guerra’ (fighting men), and it is difficult to say whether they properly belonged to the navy. The petitioner, however, confidently asserts that their desertion effectively prevented the exit of the fleet and removed the anxiety of the Governor of Bassein.¹