The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c15.123

c15.123

On 23 May 1739, the Marathas took possession of Bassein, but the capitulation did not bring immediate peace. In 1740 the two Angria brothers inflicted more loss on the Portuguese than they had ever suffered within living memory, and such prestige as had attended their declining fortunes owing to the naval victory of Mangalore was entirely obliterated. Sambhaji's fleet first met the Portuguese frigate *Oliviera* near Gheria but after a few hours fighting left it alone and proceeded southwards along the coast. It entered Onore to obtain some masts and there got news of certain Portuguese grain boats sailing under a strong convoy from the south. Some stray Portuguese ships, which had been warned of the movements of the Maratha fleet, effected their escape by hard rowing;² but the main flotilla, unaware of the near approach of the enemy, advanced without suspicion. The convoy consisted of two *Pals*, two galleys and a *Charrua*. The Maratha victory was swift and complete. After little or no resistance the Portuguese Admiral surrendered, and practically the whole of the grain fleet fell into Sambhaji's hands. So confident was Angria of his naval power that on his way to Gheria, he passed with his valuable prize within sight of Anjidiv and at a little distance of Agoada; but the Portuguese attempted no rescue. To the credit of the Maratha chief it must be remarked that his prisoners were not ill-treated. He set them at liberty, treated them courteously and sent them back to Goa. The Portuguese chronicler, who bitterly laments this disaster, was not willing, however, to give Sambhaji Angria his due. His generous treatment of the captives was attributed to his parsimony, coupled with an insinuation that he restored the Portuguese Admiral and his colleagues to liberty to save their boarding expenses.³