Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Honored on Navy Day

December 6, 2023

On Navy Day, December 4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and unveiled a grand statue of the 17th-century Maratha king at Sindhugarh, Maharashtra’s coastal fort. The Prime Minister acknowledged Shivaji’s understanding of naval power and announced that naval officers’ epaulettes would soon carry his emblem.

Symbolic Embrace

Last year, at the commissioning of the INS Vikrant in Kochi, PM Modi revealed the Indian Navy’s new Ensign based on Shivaji’s seal. The Navy has always recognized the maritime prowess of the Marathas, naming its training establishment in Lonavla as INS Shivaji and the Western Naval Command’s logistics hub in Mumbai as INS Angre, after the celebrated Maratha naval commander Kanhoji Angre.

Shivaji’s Strategic Vision for the Navy

Shivaji’s empire, expanding to the west coast after 1656-57, prompted him to establish a navy to protect his territory from Siddi threats and secure maritime trade. His vision, rooted in the belief that controlling the seas equates to ultimate power, led to the creation of the Maratha Navy between 1661 and 1663. At its peak, it boasted over 400 ships of various types.

Naval Forts and Strategic Success

Shivaji ordered the construction of multiple naval forts, including Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, and Kolaba, between 1653 and 1680. These forts served strategic purposes, keeping watch on potential sea-based threats. Despite Shivaji’s passing, the Maratha Navy remained potent, led by admirals like Angre.

Limits of Maratha Naval Power

While Shivaji’s naval force effectively countered local threats, it did not challenge European naval powers in the high seas. The Marathas, although successful in littoral waters, faced limitations when dealing with powerful European forces. Maratha merchant vessels paid special taxes to Portuguese and later British maritime powers, indicating a lack of means to compete on the high seas.

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