04 July - Kanhoji Angre death anniversary

 

Kanhoji Angre, also known as Conajee Angria or Sarkhel Angre, was a prominent naval commander of the Maratha Empire in India. He is renowned for his naval prowess and for establishing Maratha naval dominance along the western coast of India during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

During April 1999, the Indian Postal Service released a Rupee 3 stamp showing a ghurab of Kanhoji Angre's fleet as depicted in a c. 1700 AD painting.

Key Points about Kanhoji Angre:

1. Early Life and Background:

   • Kanhoji Angre was born in 1669 in the Suvarnadurg fort near Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.
   • He came from a family with a maritime background, which influenced his future naval career.

2. Naval Commander:

   • Angre was appointed as the admiral (Sarkhel) of the Maratha navy by the Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Rajaram.
   • He established his base at the fortified island of Kolaba (now known as Alibag) and other forts along the Konkan coast.

3. Naval Tactics and Strategies:

   • Angre was known for his innovative naval tactics, which included the use of small, fast ships that could outmaneuver larger European vessels.
   • He effectively used guerrilla warfare at sea, taking advantage of the coastal geography.

4. Conflict with European Powers:

   • Angre's naval activities brought him into conflict with European colonial powers, including the Portuguese, Dutch, and British.
   • He successfully challenged European dominance in the Arabian Sea, capturing numerous ships and exacting tolls and tributes from them.

5. Significant Battles:

   • Angre won several notable battles against the British East India Company and the Portuguese.
   • He defended key coastal fortifications and maintained control over important sea routes.

6. Legacy and Impact:

   • Kanhoji Angre's efforts significantly contributed to the Maratha Empire's maritime strength and protected the western coast from European colonization for several decades.
   • He is remembered as one of India's greatest naval heroes and is sometimes referred to as the "Shivaji of the Sea."

7. Death and Succession:

   • Kanhoji Angre died on 04 July 1729.
   • After his death, his legacy continued through his descendants and the Maratha navy, although his successors faced challenges in maintaining the same level of dominance.

Commemoration:

• Kanhoji Angre is commemorated in various ways, including statues, monuments, and naval bases named in his honor.
• The Indian Navy has named one of its bases INS Angre to honor his contributions to India's maritime history.

Kanhoji Angre's strategic brilliance and naval achievements left an indelible mark on Indian maritime history and continue to be celebrated as a symbol of indigenous resistance against colonial powers.