The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c14.48

c14.48

Of Shivaji’s naval expeditions or enterprises, only three deserve mention here. In the beginning of February 1665, he himself set out for Barcelore with his army in a fleet, consisting of eighty-five frigates and three great ships. He was evidently on friendly terms with the Portuguese at the time, for when he passed Goa on his way to the south, the Viceroy did not deem it necessary to dispute his progress.¹ He disembarked at Barcelore and plundered it. The major part of the fleet was sent back with the exception of twelve frigates kept for transporting his forces across the rivers.² This was probably the only occasion when Shivaji himself embarked on a sea voyage, but a force of 3,000 soldiers was transported by sea in 1670 to an unknown destination.