Mai Nayak Bhandari
Encyclopedia
During the rule of Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the naval fleet which constituted a fleet of 200 ships, was commanded by two admirals who bore the titles of Mai Nayak(Water Leader), who was a Bhandari
from Rajapur
and Daria Sarang (Sea Captain)- a Muslim.
The Bhandari
community was actively involved in formation of Maratha Empire
under Shivaji Maharaj. In 1670, as per one East India Company
report some 60 or 70 vessels of Shivaji were at the mouth of Bombay Port.
The Maratha Navy are considered as the forerunners of India's present-day Coast Guard.
from Rajapur
. He was employed by Shivaji who conferred the title Mai Nayak [ Water Leader- (Mayya in Arabic language
means Water) ]. A memorial has been built to Ram Nayak Bhandari, the first great admiral of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Bhatye Village close to Ratnagiri
town.
and Khanderi
are two sister rock-islands a little about 11 miles south of Bombay and 30 miles north of Janjira. They were known as Hennery-Kennery respectively. On 15 September, 150 men under Mai Nayak sailed towards Khanderi
. The Deputy governor of Bombay asked Mai Nayak to leave the place as it belonged to Bombay. The Marathas paid no heed to the English demand. The English decided to oppose the Maratha navy under Daulat Khan if it tried to protect the fortifications. Both, the English and the Siddi
, appearing there with their fleets, Shivaji stopped the fortification.
But, later on, in August 1679, Shivaji renewed that project and, on 15 September, his admiral, known as the Mai Nayak, took possession of the Khanderi
island with 4 small guns and commenced fortifying it in August 1679. So a sea-battle was fought on 18 October 1679 between Shivaji's fleet and the English fleet. Though the huge English fleet were victorious also with the assistance of Siddhi Johar whose fleet joined and helped the English in bombarding Kennery, they withdrew with a view that Shivaji's occupation would hamper the Portuguese presence in Bassein.
Bhandari
For other uses, see Bhandari .Bhandari caste is among the sea-faring warrior castes of ancient and medieval India. They migrated southward from Rajputana in early 1100 and subsequently spread over different parts of India...
from Rajapur
Rajapur
Rajapur is a city and a municipal council in Ratnagiri district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:Rajapur is located at . It has an average elevation of 72 metres .-Demographics:...
and Daria Sarang (Sea Captain)- a Muslim.
The Bhandari
Bhandari
For other uses, see Bhandari .Bhandari caste is among the sea-faring warrior castes of ancient and medieval India. They migrated southward from Rajputana in early 1100 and subsequently spread over different parts of India...
community was actively involved in formation of Maratha Empire
Maratha Empire
The Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy was an Indian imperial power that existed from 1674 to 1818. At its peak, the empire covered much of South Asia, encompassing a territory of over 2.8 million km²....
under Shivaji Maharaj. In 1670, as per one East India Company
East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
report some 60 or 70 vessels of Shivaji were at the mouth of Bombay Port.
The Maratha Navy are considered as the forerunners of India's present-day Coast Guard.
About Mai Nayak
Ram Nayak was a BhandariBhandari
For other uses, see Bhandari .Bhandari caste is among the sea-faring warrior castes of ancient and medieval India. They migrated southward from Rajputana in early 1100 and subsequently spread over different parts of India...
from Rajapur
Rajapur
Rajapur is a city and a municipal council in Ratnagiri district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:Rajapur is located at . It has an average elevation of 72 metres .-Demographics:...
. He was employed by Shivaji who conferred the title Mai Nayak [ Water Leader- (Mayya in Arabic language
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
means Water) ]. A memorial has been built to Ram Nayak Bhandari, the first great admiral of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Bhatye Village close to Ratnagiri
Ratnagiri
Ratnāgiri is a port city on the Arabian Sea coast in Ratnagiri district in the southwestern part of Maharashtra, India. The district is a part of Konkan.The Sahyadri mountains border Ratnagiri to the east...
town.
Shivaji Maharaj's Naval Conquests
In April 1672, Shivaji had an eye upon the rocky Island of UnderiUnderi
Underi is a fortified island near the mouth of Mumbai harbour south of Prong's Lighthouse. It is a companion fort to Khanderi and currently lies in Raigad district, Maharashtra. These islands of Khanderi and Underi served as one of the landmarks for ships entering Mumbai harbour...
and Khanderi
Khanderi
Khanderi is a fortified island 20 km off the coast of Mumbai. This along with its sister fort Underi formed the major fortification along the Mumbai coast. This was built by Shivaji in 1660 CE...
are two sister rock-islands a little about 11 miles south of Bombay and 30 miles north of Janjira. They were known as Hennery-Kennery respectively. On 15 September, 150 men under Mai Nayak sailed towards Khanderi
Khanderi
Khanderi is a fortified island 20 km off the coast of Mumbai. This along with its sister fort Underi formed the major fortification along the Mumbai coast. This was built by Shivaji in 1660 CE...
. The Deputy governor of Bombay asked Mai Nayak to leave the place as it belonged to Bombay. The Marathas paid no heed to the English demand. The English decided to oppose the Maratha navy under Daulat Khan if it tried to protect the fortifications. Both, the English and the Siddi
Siddi
The Siddi, Siddhi, or Sheedi , also known as Habshi, are an Indian and Pakistani ethnic group of Afro-Arab and/or Black African descent. The Siddi population is currently estimated to be 20,000–55,000, with Gujarat and Hyderabad in India the main population centre. Siddis are mainly Sufi Muslims,...
, appearing there with their fleets, Shivaji stopped the fortification.
But, later on, in August 1679, Shivaji renewed that project and, on 15 September, his admiral, known as the Mai Nayak, took possession of the Khanderi
Khanderi
Khanderi is a fortified island 20 km off the coast of Mumbai. This along with its sister fort Underi formed the major fortification along the Mumbai coast. This was built by Shivaji in 1660 CE...
island with 4 small guns and commenced fortifying it in August 1679. So a sea-battle was fought on 18 October 1679 between Shivaji's fleet and the English fleet. Though the huge English fleet were victorious also with the assistance of Siddhi Johar whose fleet joined and helped the English in bombarding Kennery, they withdrew with a view that Shivaji's occupation would hamper the Portuguese presence in Bassein.