The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c15.126

c15.126

This was not the only disaster that befell the Portuguese in this unlucky year. Manaji captured a pataxo-of-war belonging to the Diu fleet. By a clever stratagem the vessel had been lured on by a single ship, and it discovered too late that behind the harmless bait waited four of Manaji’s Pals.¹ Both the brothers were able seamen and but for their mutual dissension they might have easily accomplished their father’s ambition — the conquest of the whole coast from Bombay to Goa. But unluckily they could not compose their differences, and the same year that witnessed their success against the Portuguese also found them fighting bitterly against one another.