Maratha–Portuguese War (1683–1684)
Campaign against Goa and Bombay of Portuguese India / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Maratha–Portuguese War of 1683–1684 refers to the Mahratta invasion of the Portuguese-controlled portions of Goa and also the Bombay area of the North Konkan.[3] The conflict between the Mahratta Confederacy and the Portuguese in Goa and Bombay, continued on various fronts in between 1683–1684.
Maratha–Portuguese War 1683–1684 | |||||||
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Portuguese topographic map of Goa, 18th century. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Maratha Empire Supported by: |
Portuguese Empire Kingdom of Sawantwadi Supported by: Moghal empire | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Count of Alvor | |||||||
Strength | |||||||
11,000 infantry, 6,000 cavalry |
3,700 infantry, 20 cannons, Unknown naval vessels Desai rebels | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Unknown | Unknown |
The Portuguese had maintained relations with the Marathas under Shivaji, in order to check the Deccan Sultanates. As the Portuguese were an oceanic empire, not interested in any inland conquests other than some lucrative coastal ports and forts. In 1682, two years after the death of Shivaji, Sambhaji started arming and fortifying the border along Portuguese territories. Then, the concerned Portuguese aligned themselves with the Moghals.
The concern materialised in a series of Maratha raids on Portuguese Goa, Bombay and other parts of the Konkan region. Sambhaji invaded Goa, temporarily occupied many forts & razed villages there. The Maratha forces were preemptively mobilised, and the Portuguese situation eventually became dire. Sambhaji ransacked North Konkan for over a month, his forces also pillaged Salcette and Bardes in the south. Sambhaji had intended to capture the city of Old Goa, the violence ceased and his forces retreated from most Portuguese lands in the Konkan on 2nd January, 1684, to avoid the large Moghal army led by Bahadur Shah I (Muazzam).
The Desais of Sawantwadi rebelled and sided with the Portuguese in the conflict, as they were forced to give up their political privileges due to Maratha supremacy.