The Military System of the Marathas, with a Brief Account of Their Maritime Activities c17.16

c17.16

‘The Portuguese vessels are now mostly engaged in piracy, they principally attack ships belonging to Canara several of which had been brought to the port of Goa’.¹ In the previous year the Portuguese Government had actually suggested to the Dutch that they should join their naval forces and make prize of Moorish ships in Indian waters, as such an enterprise would be immensely profitable.² In 1682 Captain Smith of the *Returne*, while sailing from Bombay, obtained among others the following instruction: ‘Whereas the Portuguese have beene lately very insolent and were so bold as to fire at the *Eagle*; if you should meete with any of them offer noe affront or violence to them; but if they fire at you and assault you defend yourselfe the best you can’.³