Kanhoji Angre

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Kanhoji Angre bigraphy, stories - Admirals

Kanhoji Angre : biography

1669 – 4 July 1729

Kanhoji Angre () or Conajee Angria or Sarkhel Angre (Sarkhel is a title equal to Admiral of a Fleet.Rajaram Narayan Saletore (1978), p.109.) (August 1669 – 4 July 1729) was the first notable chief of the Maratha Navy in 18th century India. He fought against the British, Dutch and Portuguese naval interests on the coasts of India during the 18th century. As a result, they labeled him a pirate. Despite the attempts of the British and Portuguese to subdue Angre, he remained undefeated until his death.

Death

By the time of his death on 4 July 1729, Kanhoji Angre had emerged as a master of the Arabian Sea from Surat to south Konkan. He left behind two legitimate sons, Sekhoji and Sambhaji; three illegitimate sons, Tulaji, Manaji, and Yeshaji. Angre’s Samadhi (tomb) is situated at Alibag, Maharashtra.

After Kanhoji, his son Sekhoji continued Maratha exploits at sea till his death in 1733. After Sekhoji’s death, the Angre might was split between two brothers, Sambhaji and Manaji, because of divisions in the family. With the Marathas neglecting the navy the British soon found it easier to defeat the remnants of the kingdom. His son Tulaji Angre in 1755 looted Shri Anantheshwar temple of Gowda Saraswat Brahmins at Manjeshwar, Kerala. The Angre reign over the Western coast ended with the capture of Tulaji in a joint British / Peshwa attack on the fort of Gheriah (now Vijaydurg) in February 1756.

Naval heroics

He was originally appointed as Surkhel or Darya-Saranga (Admiral) by the chief of Satara in c. 1698.Rajaram Narayan Salethore (1978) P.99.http://historion.net/j.biddulph-pirates-malabar-englishwoman-india/page-27.html Under that authority, he was master of the Western coast of India from Mumbai to Vingoria (now Vengurla) in present-day state of Maharashtra, except for the property of the Muslim Siddis of Murud-Janjira who were affiliated with the powerful Mughal Empire.Colonel John Biddulph (1907), p.37.

Kanhoji started his heroics by attacking merchant ships of the British East India Company and slowly gained respect from all the colonial powers. In 1702, he abducted a merchant vessel from Calicut with six English sailors and took it to his harbour. In 1707, he attacked Bombay frigate which was blown up during fight. British feared as he could take any merchant ship except large European ships. When Maratha Chattrapati Shahu ascended the leadership of the Maratha Empire, he appointed Balaji Viswanath Bhatt as his Senakarta (Commander) and negotiated an agreement with Angre around 1707. This was partly to appease Angre who supported the other ruler, Tarabai, who claimed the Maratha throne. As per agreement, Angre became head of the Maratha navy. He also played a role in the Maratha conflicts against the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, who was campaigning in the Deccan.

When Maratha empire was weak, Angre became more and more independent and in 1713, an army was sent headed by Peshwa Bhyroo Pant to control Angre, but Angre won the battle and held Bhyroo Pant as prisoner. He planned to march to Satara where Sahoojee was acting as a head of state and Angre was called for negotiations, after which Angre was confirmed as Admiral (Surkhiel) of entire fleet. Angre was also placed as chief of 26 forts and fortified places of Maharastra.

In 1720, Angre captured vessel Charlotte along its owner, merchant Curgenven who was bound to China from Surat.Rajaram Narayan Saletore (1978), p.106. Curgenven was imprisoned for 10 years.

Europeans on rolls

Angre employed Europeans, generally Dutch, to command his best vessels. He also employed a Jamaican and a pirate named John Plantain and entrusted him large responsibility like chief gunner post.Rajaram Narayan Saletore (1978), p.102. Angre remployed Castro, who was considered as a traitor and punished by Bombay Council (British) for his failure in capturing Kanheri, which was controlled by Kanhoji Angre.Rajaram Narayan Saletore (1978), p.105.

Campaigns