The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c15.145

c15.145

Sambhaji’s death failed to restore unity in the Angria family. Tulaji succeeded his brother in the principality of Suvarnadurg, while Manaji continued to rule at Kolaba, and the breach between the two brothers was as wide as in Sambhaji’s days. Manaji had been very shabbily treated by the Peshwa, some of his forts were taken by Sadashiv Rao, and he bitterly complained to Shahu of the ungracious treatment meted out to him, but even the common antagonism to the Peshwa could not induce the two brothers to forget their family feud and offer united opposition to deliberate aggression from Poona. On the other hand, Manaji was openly jealous of his younger brother and claimed that, as the elder of the two, he should be honoured with his father’s title of Sarkhel. Shahu seems to have hinted that this honour could only be earned by some distinguished deed of valour, and Tulaji proceeded to prove his superior ability by capturing Anjanvel. Manaji, however, did not despair, and resolved to win the higher title of Sawai Sarkhel by some noteworthy achievement. On 8 November 1744, he attacked the Portuguese merchant fleet with nine Pals and eight Gallivats.¹ The combat lasted for six days and five nights, during which, as we are informed by Jose Freire M. Mascarenhas, the Portuguese had only a brief respite of two hours in the evening, while the Hindu sailors of Angria’s fleet laid down their arms and performed their daily worship. The Portuguese convoy consisted of two frigates only, the *Nossa Senhora da Oliveira* and the *Penha da Franca*; but they fought valiantly against the superior squadron of Manaji, who at length withdrew without accomplishing his purpose. After this he seems to have attempted to cultivate the friendship of the Portuguese. The Marquis of Alorna writes that Manaji had always solicited his friendship and, since his arrival in India, he had received repeated offers of co-operation from Manaji against Balaji Baji Rao.²