Tides of triumph: A saga of Maratha courage and cultural pride

What remained hidden in the Mughal and British past, is likely to be revealed in the new book

UNESCO recently recognised Maratha military landscapes of India as a World Heritage site. This landscape includes 12 majestic forts, 11 of which are in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X said that “every Indian rejoiced” the recognition.

PM Modi said, "When we talk about the glorious Maratha Empire, we associate it with good governance, Military strength, cultural pride and emphasis on social welfare.

Rightly pointed out by PM Modi, from Raigad to Gingee, these Maratha forts tell us the saga of Maratha courage and cultural pride that has inspired the generations. A comprehensive account of the Maratha Navy and its exploits is still unavailable. Not much has been written on this but the fact remains that more is hidden in the layers of history.

A few scholars have dealt with the structure, function and the exploits of the Maratha Navy. The most prominent is the one by BK Apte. Renowned scholars like Jadunath Sarkar and Surendranath Sen took up the discussion of the Maratha Navy in their respective monographs, while a nationalistic approach to understand the career of the Maratha Admiral Kanhoji Angre was made by Malgaonkar.

As the Maratha Navy, under the leadership of Admiral Angre, made European fleets look insignificant in the Konkan waters, the exploits of the formidable Maratha admiral also find a place in some European works, notably those of GA Ballard and John Bidulph.

A new book with comprehensive account of Maratha Naval supremacy to hit the stands soon.

What remained hidden in the Mughal and British past, is likely to be revealed in the new book. The collection of 10 essays titled "Tides of Triumph" is edited by Prof Dr Amarendra Kumar, who has unique privilege to teach History at National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and presently teaching at Vishwa Bharati University, Shanti Niketan, a Central University.

The book explores various themes related to the maritime achievements of the Marathas following the establishment of the Maratha Navy by Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1659. Authored by leading scholars in their fields, the ten essays trace the rise and consolidation of the Maratha Navy. The combined deployment of land and sea power has been analysed, and attempts have been made to demystify the persona and character of legendary Maratha Naval chief Kanhoji Angre.

This book answers why the Maratha Navy didn't possess large ships capable of broadside attacks. The maritime forts were crucial for them functioning like stationary ships armed with Artillery. These fortifications served multiple purposes—they safeguarded trading routes, provided bases for naval operations and acted as a deterrent against invasions from sea-based powers. This essay highlights salient features of fort architecture, which include elements specifically designed for maritime defence, such as high walls resistant to cannon fire, strategically placed artillery, intricate systems for storing fresh water, and hidden underwater obstructions to damage enemy ships that ventured too close. And centuries after that 12 Maratha forts becomes UNESCO's World Heritage sites.

Maritime History Society, Mumbai recently came out with an inside story on the Maratha Navy.

The year 2024 marked the 350th anniversary of a defining moment in Indian history: the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Swarajya. This event signifies the emergence of the Marathas as a regional power in the era of Mughal imperialism. The legacy of the Maratha Swarajya and its leaders continues to resonate in many aspects of our country’s social and cultural life. There could not have been a better occasion to start working on a new book that honours the achievements of the Maratha Navy and celebrates its legacy, than Navy Day. The Director of the maritime History society, Mumbai took the initiative. His several round of discussions with Professor Dr Amarendra Kumar in Department of History, Shanti NIketan, decided to come out with a collection of essays exploring diverse aspects of Maratha Navy.

Shivaji uniquely realized the significance of the sea for both defence and trade—especially at a time when the Maratha Swarajya was still in its infancy, Maratha Navy being built brick by brick. According to the author, this underscores Shivaji’s sharp acumen and a visionary genius. The indigenous navy that he created continues to be an enduring source of inspiration for the twenty-first century Indian Navy, as reflected in the Navy’s 2022 dedication of its emblem to Shivaji’s Royal Octagonal Seal. The Indian Navy’s ensign, inspired by the octagonal Royal Seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, embodies a proud nation’s dedication to one of the most significant chapters of its maritime legacy.

The legacy of Maratha Navy

One of the essays say the collection of 10 essays titled "Tides of Triumph" explore various themes related to the maritime achievements of the Marathas.

One of the essays draws parallels of Maratha naval strategy with India's post-Independence wars. This approach mirrors the operational success of the Indian Navy’s Operations Trident and Python during the Indo–Pak War of 1971. Just as the Marathas effectively utilized diverse vessels, the Indian Navy demonstrated how a strategic blend of capabilities can lead to mission success. To execute the offensives against the Pakistani coast, INS Kiltan and Katchall towed the smaller Vidyut-class missile boats—INS Nipat, Nirghat and Veer—right up to Karachi for bombardment and accomplished the mission objectives.

To conclude, the book effectively presents a variety of evidence highlighting the glorious naval traditions of the Maratha Swarajya. The contributors of the essays have contextualized and clearly articulated the diverse aspects of the Maratha Navy, which dominated during the mid-seventeenth and mid-eighteenth centuries. The legacy of the Maratha Navy endures.