Read on Twitter
Chimaji Appa and The Battle of Vasai.
Even before the English set foot on shores of India, Portugal had already established a colonial Empire in India. In the 16th century, Portuguese first established their base in Goa. During the course of 1530s, they acquired many territories
Even before the English set foot on shores of India, Portugal had already established a colonial Empire in India. In the 16th century, Portuguese first established their base in Goa. During the course of 1530s, they acquired many territories
..in the northern Konkan. These included Daman, Diu, Salsette, Bombay, Vasai etc.
In their colonies themselves, situation was dire for non-Christians. The Konkani language was outlawed, Hindu temples were destroyed and forced conversions were norm.
In their colonies themselves, situation was dire for non-Christians. The Konkani language was outlawed, Hindu temples were destroyed and forced conversions were norm.
Peshwa Bajirao decided to teach the Portuguese a lesson and gave the responsibility to his brother Chimaji Appa.
Chimaji Appa camped at Bhadrapur near Vasai, with a massive force, consisting of 40,000 infantry, 25,000 cavalry and 4500 soldiers who were expert in laying mines.
Chimaji Appa camped at Bhadrapur near Vasai, with a massive force, consisting of 40,000 infantry, 25,000 cavalry and 4500 soldiers who were expert in laying mines.
.. and with most Maratha Sardars joining in it was a massive army. Alarmed at the huge Maratha force against them, the Portuguese decided to focus only on Vasai, Daman, Diu and Uran.This helped the Marathas to easily capture Bandra, Versova, Mahim.
Now, Chimaji Appa turned his focus on Bassein fort which was surrounded by the Vasai Creek on two sides and the Arabian Sea on another side.
The siege of Vasai Fort began on May 1, 1739 with Chimaji Appa laying 10 mines near the tower of Remedios. As the walls were breached..
The siege of Vasai Fort began on May 1, 1739 with Chimaji Appa laying 10 mines near the tower of Remedios. As the walls were breached..
the Marathas rushed into the fort, under heavy Portuguese fire. Along with Appa, Malhar Rao Holkar, Ranoji Scindia too led the charge, around 4000 Marathas stormed into the Vasai fort breaching the towers of Remedios and San Sebastian, under intense Portuguese firing.
By May 3, the Marathas breached the tower of São Sebastião, capturing the fort of Vasai, after a 2 month long siege. Chimaji Appa sent an ultimatum to the Portuguese that unless they surrendered, the entire garrison would be massacred, and the Governor surrendered on May 16th.
The Saffron flag flew over the Fort of Vasai. One of the greatest victories of the Marathas, the Portuguese lost control over the Konkan, restricted now just to Goa.
It was not just Vasai, the Portuguese lost eight cities, four chief ports, twenty fortress and 340 villages.
It was not just Vasai, the Portuguese lost eight cities, four chief ports, twenty fortress and 340 villages.
Source: DNA India, History under your feet and military wiki
