The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c15.108

c15.108

This fraternal strife commenced in 1734 within twelve months of Sekhoji's death. Apparently, Sambhaji was quite willing to assign subordinate commands to his brothers as Sekhoji had done, and the precise reason of Manaji's defection cannot be definitely stated. Anyhow, while his brother was fighting the common enemy, he took possession of Kolaba with the help of the Portuguese and put out the eyes of Yesaji who had been left in charge of that fort. That done, Manaji made overtures to all the old enemies of the Angria family, the Portuguese, the English, and the Sidi, for help and support against his brother. He, however, relied mainly on the patronage of the Peshwa, who did not look with satisfaction upon the growing power of the Angrias and had decided that they must at all costs be rendered innocuous. The Portuguese and the English both befriended the weaker Manaji. To the English, who had for nearly twenty years tried in vain to destroy the Angrias, this family feud offered an excellent opportunity for securing their object. They decided to assist Manaji with money and military stores and to take every opportunity of inciting him to nurse his resentment against his brother.¹ It was the duty of the Peshwa as the virtual head of the empire to mediate between the two brothers and bring about a reconciliation. He actually did so in 1735, but his decision served merely to aggravate the quarrel. Kanhoji Angria's fleet and territories were divided between the two brothers, Manaji being given the new title of *Vazaratmav*, with Kolaba for his headquarters, while the command of the other half of the fleet fell to Sambhaji, who retained the paternal title of *Sarkhel*, with his headquarters at Suvarnadurg. As the arrangement did not please him, he appealed to Shahu on several occasions but without effect. His failure merely caused him greater resentment and he watched for a suitable chance to recover his position.