Which port on the western coast was attacked and plundered by Shivaji ...
According to James Grant Duff, a captain in the British India Regiment, Surat was attacked by Shivaji on 5 January 1664. Surat was a wealthy port city in Mughal empire for the sea trade of the era.
Which port on the western coast was attacked and plundered by Shivaji ...
The port on the western coast that was attacked and plundered by Shivaji in 1664 was Surat.
Background:
- Shivaji Bhonsle, also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was the founder of the Maratha Empire in western India during the 17th century.
- Shivaji was known for his military and administrative skills, as well as his efforts to establish a Hindu kingdom in the region.
Attack on Surat:
- In 1664, Shivaji launched a successful attack on the port city of Surat, located on the western coast of India in present-day Gujarat.
- Surat was a prosperous trading center and one of the most important ports of the Mughal Empire.
- Shivaji's primary objective in attacking Surat was to plunder its wealth and disrupt Mughal trade and administration in the region.
Reasons for the Attack:
- Shivaji had been engaging in a series of military campaigns to expand his territory and establish his authority over the region.
- Surat, with its wealth and strategic location, presented an attractive target for Shivaji's ambitions.
- Additionally, Surat was an important center of Mughal power and control in the region, and attacking it would weaken the Mughal Empire's hold over western India.
Execution of the Attack:
- Shivaji planned the attack meticulously, taking advantage of the element of surprise and utilizing his naval and military forces.
- He assembled a large fleet of ships and a well-trained army to carry out the assault on Surat.
- The attack was launched in the early hours of the morning, catching the defenders off guard.
- Shivaji's forces quickly overpowered the city's defenses and began looting and plundering its wealth.
- The attack lasted for several days, during which Shivaji's forces wreaked havoc in the city and inflicted significant damage.
Consequences of the Attack:
- The plundering of Surat by Shivaji severely impacted the Mughal Empire's control over the region and disrupted trade and administration.
- The attack on Surat also brought Shivaji significant wealth and resources, which further bolstered his position and allowed him to continue his military campaigns.
- The success of the attack further enhanced Shivaji's reputation as a formidable leader and warrior, both among his supporters and his enemies.
Overall, the attack on Surat by Shivaji in 1664 was a significant event in his military career and had far-reaching consequences for the region's political and economic landscape.