Explain the Portuguese Maratha relations:(a) Relationship between the Portuguese and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.(b) Relationship between the Portuguese and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.(c) Relationship between the Portuguese and Chhatrapati Shahuji…

Answer:

(a) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj:

• Shivaji Maharaj kept a cautious policy towards the Portuguese; he took the help of Portuguese craftsmen to build ships at Kalyan-Bhiwandi.
• To protect the salt traders of Swarajya he levied heavy octroi on Portuguese salt.
• When the Portuguese helped the Siddis and harassed his subjects, he attacked Bardesh (1667) and forced them to come to terms.

(b) Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj:

• The Portuguese helped the Mughals and the Siddis against the Marathas and allowed Mughal ships to pass.
• Sambhaji Maharaj attacked Portuguese territory, besieged Chaul and in 1683 invaded Goa, capturing the fort of Santo Estevao (Juve island); the Viceroy narrowly escaped.
• He had to withdraw when a Mughal army under Shah Alam entered the Konkan, but the Portuguese were frightened by his attack.

(c) Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj:

• During his reign Kanhoji Angre, the chief of the Maratha navy, kept the Portuguese and English under pressure at sea.
• The Portuguese harassed Hindu subjects in their territory near Vasai and Salsette.
• Peshwa Bajirao I sent Chimaji Appa, who captured Thane and Salsette and, after a long siege, Vasai in May 1739. The Portuguese lost their northern territories and their power on the west coast was greatly reduced.