The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c15.168

c15.168

Though Raghuji could still indulge in the pomp and splendour associated with his house, its power vanished for ever with Tulaji. His fleet no doubt still rode the sea and harassed merchantmen, but it was no longer a source of apprehension to any European power except the Portuguese. After Raghuji's death there was endless confusion in the small principality owing to the minority of his son and the ambition of his unscrupulous relatives. The remnant of the once powerful Kolaba fleet was destroyed by a fire which broke out in the harbour. Its disappearance was of little moment, as the rising power of the English had long rendered it an anachronism. After the annexation of the Peshwa's territories, the Angria of Kolaba became a feudatory of the English and the small principality was annexed when its last representative died in 1840² without an heir of his body.