Battle of Basrur
| Battle of Basrur | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Medieval map of the tricities of Basrur-Kundapur-Gangolli | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Maratha Kingdom |
.svg){kind=small} Portuguese Empire | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Shivaji | Error creating thumbnail: Unknown | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
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3 ships 85 frigates 4000 foot soldiers | Error creating thumbnail: Unknown | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Almost little to no loss | Unknown | ||||||||
Battle of Basrur was a naval raid that took place on 13th februrary, 1665 when Maratha naval fleet headed by Shivaji inflicted a major defeat on Portuguese forces at port of Basrur.[1][2][3] The raid was aimed at breaking the trade control of the Portuguese over port and allowing Keladi Nayakas to re-secure the port which they had lost to Portuguese earlier. Shivaji gained immense financial booty from the plunder that certainly helped in financing his nascent Hindu Kingdom apart from demonstrating prowess of Maratha navy.
Background
Basrur was under the rule of Vijaynagar empire. Post defeat of Vijaynagar empire in battle of Talikota, Nayakas of Keladi who were vassals of Vijaynagar empire grew independent and gradually controlled all important ports across Kanara region including Basrur. Portuguese who wanted to monopolise sea trade attacked port of basrur in early 1569.[4]Anticipating an attack, [5][6]
[7]However Portuguese re-occupied Basrur during the rule of Somashekara Nayaka who was unable to challenge Portuguese as Adil Shahis had occupied some territories up and down the ghats and Nayars of Kerala also tried to occupy territories south of Mangalore.[8]
Amid mounting troubles, Somashekara Nayaka requested Shivaji for help in liberating Basrur from Portuguese rule. Shivaji urgently needed money to establish and sustain independent Hindu Kingdom in face of Islamic sultanate powers. One of the way to gain wealth was trading along western coast of India however Portuguese had almost monopolised sea trade and did not let anyone else to venture the ship without paying protection money. In desperation, Shivaji resorted to plundering raids on wealthy ports like Surat and Vengurla.[9] Basrur, likewise was one of the most profitable port and fit for plundering raid to gain enormous financial booty.
Shivaji had sent an earlier expedition with four ships to whole coastal region of Kanara for recce in 1664. It examined various creeks and estuaries with their sandy bars at their mouth opening into sea.[10]
Shivaji boarded the ship at Malanad port on 8th feb, 1665 to start expedition to Basrur. He had 3 ships and 85 small frigates with him. The fleet passed Goa without any attack from Portuguese. Passing along the northern Kanara, it finally approached its destination Kundapur creek.
[11] There seemed to have little to no counter-attack from Portuguese garrison at fort of Santa Luzia in Kundapur that controlled entry and exit to Basrur.
Aftermath
After successfully plundering Basrur, Shivaji embarked on return journey halting at Gokarna. On reaching Gokarna on his way back, Shivaji Maharaj informed Somashekhar Nayak about the liberation of ports of Basruru and Gangolli. Some years later, Portuguese gave up their imperial ambitions in Kanara after getting defeated by Somashekara Nayaka in battle of Gangolli in 1670.[12]
Legacy
Naval raid of Basrur was Shivaji's first and the last naval expedition of his career. Shivaji had successfully demonstrated the efficacy of Maratha navy and dislodged Portuguese from Basrur that reduced the monopoly of Portuguese and other foreign traders. This battle is celebrated as Basruru Swatantrya Dina Mahotsava on 13 February every year in Basrur.[13]
References
- ↑ Shejwalkar, T.S. (December 1942). Shivaji's raid on Basrur, Bulletin of the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute. 4, 2nd part. Pune: Vice Chancellor, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute (Deemed University), Pune. p. 137. JSTOR 42929309. Search this book on
- ↑ Sardesai, H.S. (2002). Shivaji. The Great Maratha. 4. Cosmo Publications. pp. 730–731. ISBN 978-81-7755-287-4. Search this book on
- ↑ Gazetteer Of The Bombay Presidency. XVIII, part II. Government Central Press. 1885. Search this book on
- ↑ Shejwalkar, T.S. Bulletin of the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute. pp. 142–143. JSTOR 42929309. Search this book on
- ↑ Srivastava, Shilpi. Development of Maritime Trade in Coastal Canara Region from 15th to 17th Century. p. 183. Search this book on
- ↑ Shastry, B.S. (2000). Goa-Kanara Portuguese relations, 1498-1763. India: Concept Publishing Company Pvt. Ltd. p. 90. ISBN 978-8170228486. Search this book on
- ↑ Shastry, B.S. Goa-Kanara Portuguese Relations (1498–1763). pp. 180–181. Search this book on
- ↑ Shejwalkar, T.S. Shivaji's raid on Basrur, Bulletin of the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute. pp. 139–140. JSTOR 42929309. Search this book on
- ↑ Shejwalkar, T.S. Bulletin of the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute. p. 136. JSTOR 42929309. Search this book on
- ↑ Shejwalkar, T.S. (December 1942). Bulletin of the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute. p. 142. JSTOR 42929309. Search this book on
- ↑ The quarterly journal of Mythic society. 90. Bengaluru. p. 41. Search this book on
- ↑ Uttar Kannada District Gazzetter. p. 143. Search this book on
- ↑ D'Souza, Silvester (February 14, 2022). "Kundapur: Shivaji fans celebrate Basrur independence Day".
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