Thread by @HindutvaItihas

1.
#Thread on the Maratha campaigns against the Portuguese, which culminated in the Maratha Victory 282 years ago, on 16 May, 1739.

This thread will explore the reasons & background for the campaigns. (Chimaji Appa, prime mover of the campaigns 👇)

2.
Marathas have lived the Shlok 2.37 of Bhagvad Geeta throughout the 2-year-long Campaign.

"O son of Kuntī, either you will be killed on the battlefield & attain the heavenly planets,or you will conquer & enjoy the earthly kingdom. Therefore, get up with determination & fight."

3.
Religious atrocities of Portuguese:-
Religious persecution of Hindus in the western coast was one of the main reasons for the Vasai Campaign. Fanatical zeal of Portuguese rulers is well known.

4.
In the year 1567, Diogo Rodriguez, Captain of Rachol, destroyed 280 temples in the Salcette region (Goa) and also destroyed the principle image of the temple into pieces

5.
The report of activities of Franciscans state that 300 Hindu temples were destroyed by them in Bardez region (Goa)

1569, Aug 29: Viceroy De Noroha ordered - "No Hindu Temples should be erected in any territories of my King & temples shouldn't be repaired w/o my Permission."

6.
1559, Mar 28: Portuguese issued the following order. 👇

This order literally struck terror in the hearts of Hindus.

7.
1715: An order was passed:- "Hindus shall be compelled to listen Christian doctrine." This law led to mass exodus of Hindus from the city of Goa.

8.
1731, Mar 20: Portuguese Viceroy informed the King of Portugal: "During our war with Marathas, we captured many women & children & we're going to Baptise them."

1731, Nov 16: The King gave the final order that, "I permit you to Baptise the women and children. Go ahead."

9.
Also after conversions, the converted Hindus were *compelled to eat beef*

#forcedconversions #Christianity

10.
Second reason for the Vasai Campaign was: The Portuguese not abiding by the treaty with the Marathas.

Sarkhel Kanhoji Angrey, Admiral of Maratha Navy, was fighting 2-front wars with Portuguese & English. He asked Chh. Shahu for help. Shahu deputed his Peshwa Bajirao I.

11.
1722, Jan 9: Bajirao came with 7000 cavalry & deployed his force near Alibag.

Hearing Bajirao came to the aid of Kanhoji, Portuguese & English lost their nerve & signed a treaty.

12.
But soon after the treaty, Portuguese again started violent confrontation with Marathas & captured some farmers & warlords from Taloja Pargana.

Bajirao wrote a strict letter to Portuguese, commanding to release captives, else he'd instruct his army to attack the Portuguese!

13.
1728; 1730: Violent Maratha-Portuguese confrontations happened.

1732, Feb 10: Similar treaty happened to reduce the tensions. But Bajirao wasn't satisfied with the terms of treaty at all.

14.
Third reason:- 'N3GRO BAJIRAO'

Citing the 1732 treaty terms, Bajirao demanded the construction of a factory for merchants of Kalyan & Bhiwandi. But Portuguese didn't entertain Bajirao's demand and instead used a derogatory remark as "N3gro"!

15.
Portuguese generally referred to the Hindus as “gentios” (uneducated) or n3gros (blackmen).

The remark angered the Peshwa. Vasudeo Joshi reports in his letter to Bajirao Peshwa: Portuguese hadn't favorably responded to the Peshwa’s communication.

16.
Fourth reason - The persistent demands of Gangaji Naik Anjurkar to Chh. Shahu & Bajirao to look into the issue of religious atrocities by Portuguese.

Gangaji Naik Anjurkar was a landlord and held the right of Sarpatil (सरपाटिल) in the Sashti island.

17.
Through Ramchandra Mahadev Joshi Chaskar, he approached Chh. Shahu, Bajirao Peshwa & Chimaji Appa.

He explained to Chhatrapati Shahu & Peshwa Bajirao I the Portuguese confiscation of estate rights, denial of religious liberty to 'infidels', & destruction of temples, etc.

18.
He requested Chh. Shahu & Peshwa Bajirao I to launch an offensive in Portuguese area, & assured of all internal help they wanted.

1736, Apr : Chimaji Appa defeated Siddi Sat & made a treaty. This conclusive treaty freed Bajirao I and Chimaji Appa to fight the Portuguese.

19.
1736, Sep 11: English Governor of Mumbai, John Horne, had informed Portuguese Viceroy, Conde de Sandomil of Bajirao's plan to attack Thane & enter Sashti island.

1736, Sep 24: The same was communicated to the Portuguese General of the province of a possible Maratha attack.

20.
Thus the Vasai Campaign had been kicked off, & Chimaji Appa was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Maratha Military operations against Portuguese.

#Vasai #Mumbai #History

21.
In the next part of the thread-series, we look at the actual campaign progress itself, in the battles, sieges & maneuvers!

#PeshwaBajirao #Hindutva #History