34 Facts About Kanhoji Angre

Kanhoji Angre, known as Conajee Angria or Sarkhel Angre was a Maratha Navy Admiral.

However, upon learning of the Peshwa's advance, the seasoned warrior Kanhoji Angre swiftly mobilized his forces, confronting and decisively defeating the Peshwa, taking him captive.

Kanhoji Angre was born on the fort Suvarnadurg, near Ratnagari in the year 1667 to mother, Ambabai and father, Tukoji.

Kanhoji Angre's father served at Suvarnadurg under Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with a command of 200 posts.

In 2009, modern Dutch Historian, Rene Barendse, specializing in South Asian history as well as history related to the Indian Ocean, summarises that Kanhoji Angre's origin is highly controversial.

Historian Sen believes that Kanhoji Angre's origin is "obscure and he certainly did not belong to the nobility of the land".

Citation of the Arquivo Historico Ultramarino is given to show that Kanhoji Angre started his life as a humble servant of some Hindus in the island of Versova.

Kanhoji Angre spent much of his childhood in the Suvarnadurg Fort.

Kanhoji Angre grew up among Koli sailors, and learned seamanship from them.

Kanhoji Angre was originally appointed as Sarkhel or Darya-Saranga by the chief of Satara in c 1698.

Kanhoji Angre later swore allegiance to supreme Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shahu and his prime minister Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath.

Kanhoji Angre gained their support to develop naval facilities on the western coast of India, or Konkan.

Kanhoji Angre was placed as chief of 26 forts and fortified places of Maharashtra.

Kanhoji Angre started his career by attacking merchant ships of European East India companies and slowly gained the enmity from all European powers in the region.

Kanhoji Angre built coastal fortifications on almost all creeks, cove, and harbours, such as a fortress or citadel with navigational facilities.

Kanhoji Angre encouraged cultivation of Teak on the western coast to ensure a supply of timber for the boats.

Kanhoji Angre built ship building factories at Kolaba fort, Sakharkhadi, Suvarnadurg, and Vijaydurgh.

Kanhoji Angre utilized shipbuilding on modern European or more specifically English designs.

In 1720, Kanhoji Angre captured the EIC vessel Charlotte along its owner, a merchant named Curgenven who had been bound for China from Surat.

Since most of these people were illiterate, Kanhoji Angre employed Europeans, generally Dutch, to command his best vessels.

Kanhoji Angre employed a Jamaican pirate named James Plantain and entrusted him with significant responsibilities such as the chief gunner post.

Kanhoji Angre intensified his attacks on European ships on the western coast of India.

The release was done along with the return of previously captured territory, with Kanhoji hoping that the British East India Company would help him in his other wars, but later Angre made an alliance with Balaji Viswanath and continued fighting the EIC.

Kanhoji Angre subsequently captured the British East Indiamen Somers and Grantham, near Goa as they were on a voyage from England to Bombay.

Kanhoji Angre eventually signed a treaty with Aislabie to stop harassing the EIC's merchant fleet.

Kanhoji Angre left behind two legitimate sons, Sekhoji and Sambhaji; four illegitimate sons, Tulaji, Manaji, Yesaji and Dhondji.

Kanhoji Angre's Samadhi is situated at Shivaji Chowk, Alibag, Maharashtra.

Kanhoji, son of Tukoji, Angre is forever present at the feet of Rajaram.

King Shahu's favoured, Tukoji's son, Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre's seal is always victorious.

Kanhoji Angre stands as one of the most notable admirals of the Maratha Navy who caused significant troubles to the European trading companies.

Kanhoji Angre is credited with the foresight that a Blue Water Navy's ultimate and strategic role is to keep the enemy engaged far from the shores of the homeland.

At one time, Kanhoji Angre was so successful that he attracted enterprising Europeans in his fleet as mercenaries, including one Dutchman, whom he appointed to the rank of Commodore.

At the height of his power, Kanhoji Angre commanded hundreds of warships and thousands of sailors at a time when the Royal Navy had little in the way of naval resources in far-away India that could significantly offset the growing strength of the Maratha Navy.

Today, a statue of Kanhoji Angre stands in Indian Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.